As we get closer to the NHL Entry Draft later this month, the search continues — who will be the best prospect available to LA in round one? There’s a common theme we’ve been following in most of our recent player profiles; they’ve typically been forwards. However, when looking over the Kings prospect cupboard, there’s really room for players in all positions, especially at left defense. Highlighting forwards isn’t intentional; there’s still a chance the first name called will be a blueliner. At pick 24, however, the consensus rankings have more players up front, so we’re staying there for a little longer.
Cole Reschny
Vitals
Date of Birth: April 6, 2007
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 187 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2024-25 Season
Reschny spent his entire 2024-25 season playing for the WHL’s Victoria Royals. In 62 games, he had 92 points (26 G, 66 A).
Amping it Up Down the Stretch
The native of Macklin, Saskatoon had a very strong season in his draft year, producing almost s1.5 points per game. However, he picked up the pace as things went along. In the first half, he scored 39 points (11 G, 28 A). The rest of the way, he scored 53 points (15 G, 38 A) in the same number of games.
The junior league dominance continued in postseason play, as well. Only Gavin McKenna — the projected first overall pick in 2026 — had a better playoff scoring rate than Reschny, who created 25 points (9 G, 16 A) in 11 games.
Double Gold Club
Reschny is one of many players who saw a lot of success while representing Team Canada last year. He won gold while playing in both the Hlinka Gretzky and Under-18 World Junior Championship tournaments.
Hockey Family
The Reschny last name likely isn’t well-known throughout the NHL community, as none of his other family members have been drafted or played in major professional hockey. However, they’re no stranger to ice. His uncle, Trevor, played for Northeastern University. Older brother Austin plays at University level in Canada’s ACAC. Younger sibling Anderson plays prep hockey at the U15 level.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No. 20 by Sportsnet’s Top 64 Rankings: “Reschny is a player I’m monitoring very closely down the stretch of the season and could move up my rankings by the end of the year. He’s not the biggest prospect but he’s sturdy/strong and very hard to check. Reschny explodes up ice with the puck on his stick and pressures as F1 on the forecheck when opponents are attempting to break out plays. He’s always visible, competitive, and involved in an area of the game. Reschny is deployed in all situations at the junior level.”
Ranked No. 21 by Scott Wheeler’s March Rankings. “One of my favorites in this draft class, Reschny broke 90 points this season and is a player I’ve really enjoyed watching over the last couple of years. He’s highly skilled but also highly competitive and has driven both play and creation as a slightly smaller but athletic and involved center in the WHL. He’s got a motor but he’s also a natural playmaker, including when under pressure and with limited time and space. He creates chances for himself and his linemates, is a natural handler, finisher and passer and then will work off the puck and seems to take pride in his play in all three zones. He’s a good skater. He’s got very quick hands. He’s stronger on pucks and in battles than his 5-foot-10.5 listing might suggest at a glance. He plays the full 200 feet. He’s got the IQ component on both sides of the puck. He’s got finesse on the puck and a natural shooter’s shot. He impressed at world under-17s and the Hlinka, and the Royals have relied on him and counted on him to create offense and carry the load as both a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old. This season, he led them in scoring by a wide margin while playing to team-best goal differential results and really driving play at five-on-five (he’s also a top penalty killer for them). There were some who were starting to question if he was a first-rounder in the late fall but after a quiet first game at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, he went bar down for the series-clinching 3-2 goal with just over a minute left in the second game and was hot down the stretch. I think he’s got a chance to be a heck of a top-nine player in the NHL and I see a little Seth Jarvis in him. I’m higher on him than most, though, and he’ll go later than this.”
Ranked No. 17 by Future Considerations. “Reschny is an undersized but highly skilled center whose game is built on hockey intelligence, competitiveness, and a direct offensive approach centered around high-danger scoring areas. He consistently drives to the net with purpose, positioning himself for tips, rebounds, and short-range finishes, and showcases a strong understanding of where goals are generated. His off-puck movement is particularly notable, especially as a trailer on the rush, where he creates space for himself and becomes a reliable target for secondary scoring chances. Reschny thrives in tight quarters, using his sharp edgework and quick feet to maintain puck possession and navigate congested areas with confidence. He excels below the goal line and along the boards, leveraging his vision and patience to manipulate defenders and extend offensive zone time. A natural playmaker, he threads passes through traffic with consistency and displays soft touch on both forehand and backhand setups. His passing range allows him to find teammates in motion or across seams, adding a dynamic layer to his offensive zone presence. Reschny’s skating supports his transition game well—his straight-line speed is respectable, and he shows an ability to carry the puck cleanly through the neutral zone. Though he lacks elite explosiveness or a consistent separation gear, his agility and ability to make plays under pressure more than compensate. Defensively, Reschny demonstrates positional intelligence and is trusted on the penalty kill, where his stick placement and anticipation help close passing lanes.”
See For Yourself
Video of Reschny vs. Tri-City in the WHL:
Final Comments
Without the puck, there are three key features that play a role in someone’s NHL staying power: size, skating, and intelligence. Bigger players have a long reach and can more easily physically impose their will against the opposition. Faster skaters cover the ice in both directions. Smart players can make up for both by knowing where the puck will go and how to move it. The more a player has all three characteristics, the better.
Puck management skills, such as shooting, passing, stickhandling all play a role in determining upside. Yet, we all see how players who struggle with all three above qualities still can play in the fourth line.
When looking at Reschny, he is undersized at 5-foot-10. His brother and uncle are about the same height as well, so the two-way forward probably won’t get too much taller if at all. While strong on his skates, the Canadian forward isn’t a speedster. The reason he was so successful and is projected to be a first-round pick in June is due to his high hockey IQ.
Reschny creates plays with strong puck protection, buying himself enough time under pressure to feed a teammate and create a scoring chance. He’s more of a playmaker than a shooter, which is reinforced with a low variety of shots. When shooting, Victoria’s star leans a lot on his wrist shot, and very rarely tries to stickhandle around the goalie or use a backhand shot. Building the arsenal and learning when to use more weapons will make him that much more effective offensively.
Physically, Reschny is more of a battler than a punisher. In front of the net, he creates traffic or tries to tie up opponents. This may result in some struggles if played exclusively on an energy line, as the skilled forward doesn’t hit effectively enough to disrupt the opposition. However, he’d still play well in a defensive role. Los Angeles loves their two-way forwards. While Victoria’s leading scorer is smaller than average, his strongest attribute, hockey IQ, provides an asset who can make everyone on the ice better.
A recent development also shows that the skilled forward has committed to UND in college hockey. This change allows for a better schedule to improve physical fitness. He would be playing inbsubstantially fewer games, yet it will also be against an older age group.
This decision may factor in on other teams’ draft boards, including in Los Angeles.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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