The Detroit Red Wings selected goaltender Michael Pradel of the USHL’s Tri-City Storm with the No. 75 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday.
While limited to 14 appearances with the Storm this season, Pradel impressed in coming up with a 9-4-0 record coupled with an .899 save percentage, 2.41 goals-against average, and one shutout.
Pradel closed out his first season in North America by earning a spot on the USHL’s Second All-Rookie Team.
Beyond his success in North America, Pradel’s year was also highlighted by a strong showing with Slovakia at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, where, through seven outings, he came up with a winning record while posting a .914 save percentage with a 2.46 goals-against average. For his efforts, Pradel was recognized as one of the top three players among the Slovaks. Of note, Pradel’s international experience also includes a three-game showing with the Slovaks at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in which he came up with an .897 save percentage and 3.77 goals-against average.
Prior to joining the Storm midseason, Pradel saw 25 appearances with the Slovakian U18 squad in which he combined for a 9-16-0 record while posting a .907 save percentage and 3.88 goals-against average. Pradel also saw four appearances with Slovakia’s Barani Banska Bystrica squad in which he went 2-2-0 with a .909 save percentage and 1.99 goals-against average.
“Pradel was one of the best goaltenders from start to finish at the U-18s, and a big reason why the Slovaks played for a medal for the third straight year,” said Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, who considered Pradel to be the third-best goaltender in the draft class. “The 6-foot-5 goaltender takes up a ton of the net, and he’s also so quick and agile, too. He was applauded for his ability to steal games in the USHL and he carried that over to this tournament, too. Pradel battles hard, sees cross-crease passes well and doesn’t let a bad goal bother him. Pradel will be one of the first goaltenders taken this summer because his mix of size and mobility makes him a great player to have in the system.
