With the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks selected goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen from the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The 18-year-old Ravensbergen was the ninth WHL player selected and the first goalie drafted this year.
Ravensbergen, who is a rare right-handed catching goalie, became the starting goalie in Prince George during just his second WHL season. In 51 games with the Cougars in the 2024-25 season, he had a 33-13-4 record, with a .907 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.46 goals-against average (GAA). In his WHL career, Ravensbergen has a 59-17-5 record with a .904 SV% and 2.78 GAA in 89 regular-season games. He also boasts a .916 SV% and 2.59 GAA with an 11-5-2 record in 19 career WHL playoff games. However, his postseason performance this year saw him go 2-4 with an .896 SV% and 3.60 GAA.
Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and weighing 190 pounds, the North Vancouver, B.C. native was projected to be a late-first or early-second round pick. According to Elite Prospects 2025 draft guide, Ravensbergen is an "imposing 6-foot-5 goalie who moves well and has elite play reading". The guide further notes that because he's always in the right position, he doesn't need to be flashy. His size allows him to challenge shooters and "simply engulfs the entire net".
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis called Ravensbergen "hockey's next star goaltender". Ellis highlighted Ravensbergen's composure, noting, "Ravensbergen is almost robotic in his movements – he rarely overcommits, he's always square to the shooter and he's so calm and relaxed". A scout told Ellis that "You just don't find goalies with his overall makeup this early in their development – size, speed, athleticism, poise". Ellis also praised Ravensbergen's experience dealing with high-danger chances, stating that it would help him in the NHL.
The Sharks acquired the 30th overall pick in a trade that sent Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci to the Dallas Stars. This pick represents a significant swing for the fences for the Sharks, who also drafted Michael Misa 2nd overall. While some may have expected the Sharks to target a defenseman with this pick, the team clearly valued Ravensbergen's potential. The selection of Ravensbergen adds to the Sharks' pool of goaltending prospects, which already includes Askarov. With the uncertainty of goaltending development, having multiple options for the future is beneficial for the team. Looking ahead, Ravensbergen and Askarov could potentially form a strong goaltending tandem for the Sharks, reminiscent of the team's past with Nabokov, Kiprusoff, and Toskala.
