MOOSE JAW -- Moose Jaw Warriors captain Lynden Lakovic will soon be rubbing shoulders with the greatest goal scorer in National Hockey League history.
The Kelowna, B.C. product was selected in the first round, 27th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2025 National Hockey League Entry Draft on Friday night at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
As a result, it might not be long before he’s playing alongside the likes of all-time NHL scoring leader Alex Ovechkin in the Capitals’ line-up.
A 6-foot-4, 190-pound forward, Lakovic had a stellar campaign with the Warriors this past season, putting up 27 goals and 58 points across 47 games to lead Moose Jaw in scoring despite a mid-season shoulder injury.
While those numbers and Lakovic’s raw size and talent were the final factor in his first-round selection, it was what he put together in the Warriors’ 2024 Western Hockey League championship run that established him as a big-game player. Lakovic’s five goals and eight points in the 20 games included three game-winning markers, including overtime goals in Game 6 and 7 to close out the epic seven-game series against the Saskatoon Blades.
“It feels amazing, there’s just so much relief,” Lakovic said on the Sportsnet broadcast immediately after his selection. “I’ve been waiting for this moment forever now and to be picked by such a great organization in Washington, I couldn’t be happier right now.”
When Lakovic’s name was announced by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, a huge cheer went up from the crowd, and for good reason -- the Warriors’ Player of the Year estimated he had 50 or 60 people in attendance cheering him on.
The Capitals management crew admitted they were surprised to see Lakovic still available at the 27 and had been holding their breath the previous half dozen picks prior to his selection.
Lakovic isn’t the first member of his family to join the NHL ranks, as uncle Sasha Lakovic played parts of three seasons with the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils and was one of the toughest players in the league during his tenure.
Two Saskatchewan-born players were selected earlier Friday, with Saskatoon’s Roger McQueen going at 10th overall to the Anaheim Ducks and Macklin’s Cole Reschny being selected 18th overall by the Calgary Flames.
The NHL Draft continues Saturday with rounds two through seven beginning at 10 a.m.
