Rylan Fellinger, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ sixth-round selection (185th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, had a quite unique draft experience: he wasn't at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles when his name was called. Instead, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman was in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, attending his high school prom.
Fellinger recounted how he learned of his selection. He had tried not to pay attention to the draft, but his teammate and friend from their Sault Ste. Marie AAA U18 days, Hudson Chitaroni, was streaming it.
“I just wanted to clear my mind a little bit, and he was just watching it,” Fellinger recalled. “Then the Leafs were up with the next pick, and I saw my name, and I was going crazy. I couldn't even believe it. I was just running around. People, I think, might have thought I was crazy or something, but yeah, it was awesome.”
Fellinger was the first defenseman chosen by the Leafs in the 2025 NHL Draft, after Toronto made four consecutive selections at the forward spot.
Maple Leafs’ Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Leach described Fellinger as a big, “rangy” defenseman who uses his size to box out opponents. Leach also admitted that Fellinger will have to work on his game.
Fellinger described the rest of the day with reporters after the first day of on-ice sessions at Maple Leafs development camp at Ford Performance Centre on Thursday. He also described what it was like working with former Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin, who is coaching some of the defensive prospects.
Q: What was the rest of the night like?
Fellinger: Oh, it was just like, I couldn't even describe it. It was, I didn't even know what to think at that point. I was just so out of it. I was so excited. So many emotions going through my mind. I could see my family out here as well, and it was an awesome experience.
Q Did you have a date?
Fellinger: Yeah.
Q: What was her reaction?
Fellinger: Oh, I think she was crazier than me. She was going crazy. She was so happy for me and it was awesome.
Q: When you found out that the draft and prom would coincide, were you always going to attend prom anyway?
Fellinger: Yeah, I was if, but like, I still wanted to see all my childhood friends. They've been with me since the start. They've always had my back. I really wanted to spend the day with them. They're always there for me and to celebrate with them was just an unreal experience.
Q: What's the name of the school?
Fellinger: Cora Collegiate. In the Soo.
Q: Did someone make an announcement at the prom that you'd been drafted?
Fellinger: They wanted to, but I didn't want to ruin the whole night. I didn't want to make it all about me.
Q: What was the phone call like from Brad(Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving)? He said he could hear music on in the background. Like what was that like?
Fellinger: Yeah, I tried to get away from everyone 'cause everyone was screaming and everything and uh I was I was trying to keep the calm and but people were just going crazy and I couldn't help it.
Q: Have you had a 'Welcome to the Leafs' moment yet?
Fellinger: Well, everyone has been welcoming here. Like, even my teammates, I haven't even met them, but they all feel like brothers to me. It's so unreal here. It's amazing.
Q: Who did you cheer for growing up, were you a Leafs fan
Fellinger: Yeah, I was always a Leads fan with my dad and my grandpa, obviously. We were always cheering for them. But I was a really big big Sidney Crosby fan. I always loved to see his journey and I was definitely a big Leafs fan.
Q: What did your dad think?
Fellinger: “He was going crazy. I haven't seen tears from that guy in so long. And just seeing that, it was such a surreal experience.
Q: And now you're here. What stood out about the first on-ice session?
Fellinger: “it's just a lot to take in. It's about learning new experiences, learning all the new coaching staff, and just the new drills that we get to see, seeing where I can improve on, and just start from there.
Q: What's it like getting tips from Jake Muzzin?
Fellinger: Ah, it's awesome. Yeah, I love that. Anything that comes from him is always is always a great experience. I love taking things from him.
Q: What were you guys working on there at the end (of the session?
Fellinger: We were just working on boxing out guys. I think I just need to hit the hips more instead of hitting higher because it's a lot easier to just bring them onto the boards and yeah.
Q: How far back did your grandfather go as a Leaf fan? Do you know what era?
I'm not sure. Yeah, I'm not really too sure about that. Probably a long time ago, for sure.
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