The Dallas Stars have selected Cameron Schmidt from the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the 94th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old right winger was the 19th WHL player selected and the sixth player taken in the third round.
Schmidt, standing at 5'8" and weighing 161 lbs, is considered an undersized but highly skilled player. Despite his size, Schmidt had a strong season in the WHL, finishing eighth in goals among all WHL skaters in the 2024-25 season. He recorded 40 goals and 38 assists for 78 points in 61 games. His 78 points led the Vancouver Giants in scoring, making him the first under-18 player to lead the team in scoring since 2012-13. Schmidt also excelled in the playoffs, contributing four goals and five assists for nine points in five games.
Schmidt's strengths lie in his offensive abilities, particularly his speed and shooting. He is known as one of the fastest players in the WHL, capable of making highlight-reel plays at high speed. In the offensive zone, Schmidt is a quick shooter with the ability to score from various angles. Scouts have noted that he possesses an NHL-caliber shot, making him an intriguing prospect.
Internationally, Schmidt has represented Canada and won three gold medals. He won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in November 2023, and the IIHF U-18 World Championship.
Prior to being drafted by the Stars, Schmidt met with 11 NHL teams at the 2025 NHL Combine in Buffalo, N.Y.. He impressed with his fitness testing results, finishing first in bench press, third in agility and balance, and posting top-20 finishes in horizontal jump, anaerobic fitness, vertical jump, and pullups.
Some scouts believe that Schmidt's size may have contributed to him being selected later in the draft than initially projected. However, others view his selection by the Stars as potentially "gold," citing his exceptional skill. Despite concerns about his size, Schmidt compensates with his skating, strength, and competitive drive. One scout noted that Schmidt sacrificed some offensive focus to become a better two-way player, demonstrating significant progress in understanding and maturing. The Vancouver Giants organization has expressed pride in Schmidt's accomplishments and looks forward to continuing to support his development.
