The Chicago Blackhawks selected incoming UMass hockey freshman Vaclav Nestrasil with the 25th overall selection during the first round of Friday’s NHL Draft.

Nestrasil becomes the second first-round NHL draft pick in Minutemen program history and the first since Cale Makar went No. 4 overall in 2017. The Prague, Czechia product now also holds the honor of being the highest drafted UMass forward ever.

“Congratulations to Vaclav on his selection in the First Round of the NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks,” said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. “Vaclav had a tremendous year of growth on and off the ice playing in the USHL and we are excited to assist him and help further his development over the next few seasons. Vaclav is a highly skilled forward with a big frame and a great attitude. Everyone at UMass is excited to help Vaclav achieve his goal of playing in the NHL.”

The Blackhawks had three selections during Friday’s first round, selecting center Anton Frondell third overall, Nestrasil 25th, then Mason West, a high-schooler from Minnesota, at 29th.

Nestrasil netted 19 goals and 42 points in 61 games for the USHL-champion Muskegon Lumberjacks in the 2024-25 season.

ESPN analyst Meghan Chayka compared Nestrasil to current Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch.

Sophomore defenseman Francesco Dell'Elce was chosen in the third round, 77th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The King City Ontario native became the sixth player to be drafted following their freshman campaign under Carvel in the past eight years.

“After an outstanding freshman season on the ice, where Francesco earned Hockey East All-Rookie Team honors, it was not surprising to see him taken so high in the NHL draft,” said Carvel. “Francesco should be one of the top defensemen in a very good Hockey East conference over the next couple of years. If Francesco can continue to develop at the rate that he did in his freshman season, he will prove to be a great pick by the Colorado Avalanche.”

UMass commit Arseni Radkov was also selected in the third round on Saturday, as the Montreal Canadiens scooped the goaltender up with the 82nd overall pick. 

The 17-year-old Mogilev, Belarus native is slated to come to Amherst for the 2026-27 season. Radkov was the No. 12 European goaltender, according to NHL Central Scouting. The 6-foot-4, 200 pounder has plenty of size in the crease, and he won’t turn 18 until early August.