Los Angeles – Sun Devil Hockey sophomore center Cullen Potter made program history on Friday night when selected 32nd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames. He became ASU’s highest draft pick and first first-rounder in school history.
Cullen Potter going in the first round of the draft means ASU produced first-round picks in MLB, NBA, NFL, WNBA, and NHL drafts. Potter is the eighth true Sun Devil selected in the NHL Draft, adding his name to the likes of Josh Doan (Arizona/Buffalo) and Joey Daccord (Ottawa/Seattle).
The first Sun Devil Hockey player drafted in the first round 😈 pic.twitter.com/NuXLb44cpU
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) June 28, 2025
The Minnesota native excelled in his rookie season in maroon and gold, tallying 13 goals and nine assists for 22 total points in 35 games played. He finished fourth on the team in goals and eighth in points. His 13 goals was second among NCHC rookies. His 81 shots on goal led rookies in NCHC action, while he helped ASU finish in second place in its inaugural NCHC season.
He earned NCHC All-Rookie Team honors after compiling 15 points in 22 conference games, with his nine goals third among freshmen.
In summer 2025, he also represented the U.S. at the U-18 World Championships, scoring four goals and adding eight points in seven games.
The Sun Devil becomes a Calgary Flame 🔥🔱#NHLDraft /// #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/6ATpJrcPmY
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) June 28, 2025
Drafted true Sun Devils
2025
Cullen Potter: Calgary Flames, round 1, pick 32
2021
Josh Doan*: Arizona Coyotes, round 2, pick 37
Ty Murchison*: Philadelphia Flyers, round 5, pick 98
2019
Cole Brady^: New Jersey Devils, round 5, pick 127
2018
Demetrios Koumontzis*: Calgary Flames, round 4, pick 108
Ryan O’Reilly^: Detroit Red Wings, round 4, pick 98
2015
Joey Daccord*: Ottawa Senators, round 7, pick 199
Drafted players who transferred to ASU
2022
Cruz Lucius: Carolina Hurricanes (traded to Pittsburgh Penguins), round 4, pick 124
2020
Artem Shlaine*: New Jersey Devils, round 5, pick 130
Noah Beck*: 2020 St. Louis Blues, round 7, pick 194
Alex Young*: 2020 San Jose Sharks, round 7, pick 196
2019
Robert Mastrosimone*: Detroit Red Wings, round 2, pick 54
2015
Jack Becker*: Boston Bruins, round 4, pick 195
^ Transferred to a different program before graduating
*Graduated/turned pro
Cullen Potter takes the stage as a Flame as the first round of the 2025 #NHLDraft comes to an end 🤝 pic.twitter.com/oQoMXy4G79
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 28, 2025