Canucks Add Goaltending Depth and Take a Bold Swing on Kieren Dervin in 2025 NHL Draft
The Vancouver Canucks made a pair of intriguing selections on the second day of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, addressing both their future goaltending pipeline and center depth with picks that sparked conversation across the scouting world.
With the 47th overall pick in the second round, the Canucks selected goaltender Aleksei Medvedev, a key contributor to the Memorial Cup-winning London Knights. The 2007-born netminder from Vaughan, Ontario, posted an impressive season, finishing with a 22-8-2 record, three shutouts, a 2.79 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage. Medvedev’s calm presence in net and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have earned him recognition as one of the top goaltending prospects in his class.
Later, with the 65th overall pick in the third round, Vancouver turned heads by drafting Kieren Dervin, a two-way center out of St. Andrew’s College and the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. The selection was considered a bit of a surprise, as most independent scouting outlets did not have Dervin ranked within the top 100, with only Dobber Prospects placing him at 96th. However, the Canucks see untapped potential in the 6’1” forward.
Dervin had a dominant year at the prep school level, notching 33 goals and 79 points in 50 games for St. Andrew’s College. Yet, because he played much of the season outside major junior hockey, questions linger about the level of competition he faced. When he transitioned to the OHL late in the season, he registered modest numbers—three points in 10 regular-season games and another three in 11 playoff contests with Kingston. However, his limited production may have more to do with his role on a deep Frontenacs lineup that offered little ice time for newcomers.
Despite the small sample size, scouts remain intrigued by his skill set. David Saad of Dobber Prospects described Dervin as a “late-rising, skilled forward with bottom-six NHL potential,” noting his “slick puck handling, strong two-way instincts, and flashes of offensive creativity.” His game is anchored by solid skating, puck control, and high hockey IQ. According to Elite Prospects, his north-south mobility and ability to maneuver in open ice are key strengths, as is his tendency to string dekes into shooting or passing opportunities. They describe him as a “proactive” forward who excels at give-and-go plays and one-touch passes.
While Elite Prospects currently projects Dervin as a potential checking-line and penalty-killing forward at the pro level—rather than a top-six scoring threat—his NHL-ready size and mature game style make him an interesting project pick. Some may question whether Vancouver could have traded down to get him and acquired additional assets, but the organization clearly believes in his long-term upside.
Dervin is expected to return to the OHL for the 2025–26 season, where he’s likely to take on a much larger role with Kingston, before heading to Penn State University in 2026–27 to continue his development in the NCAA.
With both Medvedev and Dervin, the Canucks appear to be targeting long-term potential rather than immediate impact, investing in players with room to grow into meaningful roles in the years ahead.
