The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club proudly announced the selection of defenseman Sascha Boumedienne as the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. The draft took place Friday night at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Boumedienne, born on January 17, 2007, is an 18-year-old Stockholm, Sweden native. He stands at 6'2" and weighs 183 pounds, shooting left. Last season, he played for Boston University, tallying 3 goals and 10 assists for a total of 13 points in 40 games. Notably, he was the youngest player in NCAA hockey during the 2024-25 campaign. His performance also earned him a spot on the 2024-25 Hockey East All-Academic Team.

Prior to his time in the NCAA, Boumedienne played for the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL, where he recorded 27 points (3 goals, 24 assists) in 49 games during the 2023-24 season. He was also named to the 2023-24 USHL All-Rookie Team.

Internationally, Boumedienne has made a name for himself representing Team Sweden. At the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championship, he was named the Best Defenceman after setting a tournament record for points by a defenseman with 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) in seven games, leading all players in assists. He also captured a silver medal at the tournament. In 2024, he won a bronze medal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

Jets goalie Eric Comrie announced the pick. Kevin Cheveldayoff shared his excitement about welcoming Boumedienne to the Jets family, highlighting his anticipation for watching him grow as a player. He also mentioned that the team enjoyed meeting Boumedienne at the combines and an additional meeting. Boumedienne expressed his gratitude and excitement, calling it a dream come true.

Steven Ellis, a prospect analyst at Daily Faceoff, ranked Boumedienne No. 27 in his Final Top-120 rankings. Ellis noted that while Boumedienne's college numbers weren't explosive, he expects him to take a big step forward, particularly praising his honed puck skills, speed, and penchant for high-risk, high-reward plays. Ellis believes that if Boumedienne can calm down and play at his own pace, he has the potential to be excellent.

Boumedienne comes from a hockey family. His father, Josef Boumedienne, played 47 games in the NHL and currently serves as Sweden's senior men's general manager. His younger brother, Wilson, is also considered a top prospect for the 2028 NHL Draft.