Stars end undersized Cameron Schmidt's slide late in 3rd

The Dallas Stars selected winger Cameron Schmidt with the 94th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday.

It's the first selection of the draft for the Stars.

Schmidt was considered a possibility to be drafted late in Round 1 or early in Round 2.

He's been able to overcome his lack of size at the junior level thanks to his elite speed and his lethal shot. Those attributes helped him lead the Vancouver Giants in goals. He also stepped up in the playoffs despite Vancouver's first-round exit, racking up four goals and five assists in five games.

The Edmonton native also helped Canada win gold at the 2025 U18s where he produced two goals and two assists in seven games.

What they're saying

"It's easy to compare him to Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, but he's not quite at that level," Sportsnet's Jason Bukala wrote. "Having said that, Schmidt attacks with speed off the rush and never wastes an opportunity to direct the puck on net. He has a lethal release that can beat goalies from long range and the flank on the power play."

"Schmidt plays the game to attack, challenge and score, with an ability to threaten inside the offensive zone and off the rush, both pouncing and being opportunistic around the slot but also knifing past defenders on cuts or attacking into his heavy curl-and-drag wrister," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote.