Three SAC Grads Selected in 2025 NHL Draft, Extending Nine-Year Streak
St. Andrew's College continues to solidify its reputation as one of the country's premier hockey development programs, with three more alumni selected in the 2025 NHL Draft: Francesco Dell'Elce '23, Aidan Lane '25, and Kieren Dervin '25.
Their selections mark the ninth consecutive year that a Saint has been drafted into the NHL, bringing the total to 16 SAC alumni who graduated from SAC chosen since 2017, a testament to the sustained strength, culture, and coaching leadership behind the program.
Meet Our 2025 NHL Draftees
Kieren Dervin - 65th overall, 3rd Round – Vancouver Canucks
A dynamic, powerful skater with elite offensive instincts, Dervin brings explosive speed and energy to the game.
"He's a very athletic, powerful skater," says Head Coach David Manning. "Kieren possesses an extra gear that no one really has out there and shows flashes of offensive brilliance."
2024–25 season at SAC: 33 goals, 46 assists, for 79 points in 50 games
Aidan Lane - 176th overall, 6th Round – Calgary Flames
A cerebral, two-way forward with a team-first mentality, Lane exemplifies smart, responsible play.
"Aidan's an all-around great hockey player, plays a real strong two-way game," Manning says. "He makes the right decisions in all instances and chips in offensively, while being great defensively. He displays leadership while doing a little bit of everything on the ice."
2024–25 season at SAC: 34 goals, 52 assists, for 86 points in 55 games
Francesco Dell'Elce - 77th overall, 3rd Round – Colorado Avalanche
Drafted in his final year of eligibility, Dell'Elce's path reflects determination and steady growth. A dynamic offensive defenceman, he capped off a good season after graduating from St. Andrew's in 2023, with Penticton in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and then followed that up as a top-scoring freshman defenceman in the Hockey East conference this past year for the University of Massachusetts (UMass). "Francesco just kept improving and working on his game, and I think ultimately his physical maturity kept up or got to a point where it matched his talent level," says Manning. "He controls the game with his feet and stick, and possesses a powerful shot from distance - a real power-play specialist who will be an offensive difference-maker at the next level."
2024–25 season at UMass: 7 goals, 17 assists, for 24 points in 40 games, and led all UMass defencemen in scoring, while earning Hockey East All-Rookie honours.
Since 2017, 16 alumni who graduated from SAC have heard their names called on draft day, underscoring the school's tradition of shaping talented, character-driven athletes that organizations are proud to welcome into their ranks. "All our players who have been drafted share some commonalities; they're all very athletic, they're driven, and they've dominated at this level, along with possessing the ability to make their teammates better," says Manning. "One thing that's also rung true over the years is that teams really appreciate the maturity and the things that they've learned from being in this type of environment; they've been great ambassadors to our school and hockey program."
A number of other SAC alumni who left before graduation have also gone on to be drafted and make their mark in the NHL. Some notable, recent alumni include Robert Thomas '17 and Alex Newhook '19, who spent time at SAC before continuing their hockey journeys elsewhere.
Their stories, along with those of earlier SAC graduates outside the nine-year draft streak, like Warren Foegele '14 and Dylan Sikura '13, highlight the program's long-standing impact on the NHL. A complete list of Saints who have reached the NHL is on a pin-mounted display in the La Brier Family Arena, and after this draft, we have some updating to do!
At the heart of SAC's hockey success is a strong mentorship model. Grade 11 players benefit from the example set by senior teammates, learning how to prepare, how to lead, and how to elevate their game in the face of pressure.
"Having our younger players go through this process alongside draft-eligible teammates is invaluable," says Manning. "They get to see how the leaders and the top players on the team handle and manage the various expectations and attention that come their way. Across the board over the last number of years, our draft-eligible players have really risen to the occasion."
"Above all else, I think a key part of our team is the ability to mentor the Grade 12s, who in turn mentor the younger players. That torch gets passed on year after year."
From high-level competition and internal mentorship to strong academics and character development, St. Andrew's College provides a complete environment where aspiring student-athletes grow, compete, and thrive on and off the ice.
Their selections mark the ninth consecutive year that a Saint has been drafted into the NHL, bringing the total to 16 SAC alumni who graduated from SAC chosen since 2017, a testament to the sustained strength, culture, and coaching leadership behind the program.
Meet Our 2025 NHL Draftees
Kieren Dervin - 65th overall, 3rd Round – Vancouver Canucks
A dynamic, powerful skater with elite offensive instincts, Dervin brings explosive speed and energy to the game.
"He's a very athletic, powerful skater," says Head Coach David Manning. "Kieren possesses an extra gear that no one really has out there and shows flashes of offensive brilliance."
2024–25 season at SAC: 33 goals, 46 assists, for 79 points in 50 games
Aidan Lane - 176th overall, 6th Round – Calgary Flames
A cerebral, two-way forward with a team-first mentality, Lane exemplifies smart, responsible play.
"Aidan's an all-around great hockey player, plays a real strong two-way game," Manning says. "He makes the right decisions in all instances and chips in offensively, while being great defensively. He displays leadership while doing a little bit of everything on the ice."
2024–25 season at SAC: 34 goals, 52 assists, for 86 points in 55 games
Francesco Dell'Elce - 77th overall, 3rd Round – Colorado Avalanche
Drafted in his final year of eligibility, Dell'Elce's path reflects determination and steady growth. A dynamic offensive defenceman, he capped off a good season after graduating from St. Andrew's in 2023, with Penticton in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and then followed that up as a top-scoring freshman defenceman in the Hockey East conference this past year for the University of Massachusetts (UMass). "Francesco just kept improving and working on his game, and I think ultimately his physical maturity kept up or got to a point where it matched his talent level," says Manning. "He controls the game with his feet and stick, and possesses a powerful shot from distance - a real power-play specialist who will be an offensive difference-maker at the next level."
2024–25 season at UMass: 7 goals, 17 assists, for 24 points in 40 games, and led all UMass defencemen in scoring, while earning Hockey East All-Rookie honours.
Since 2017, 16 alumni who graduated from SAC have heard their names called on draft day, underscoring the school's tradition of shaping talented, character-driven athletes that organizations are proud to welcome into their ranks. "All our players who have been drafted share some commonalities; they're all very athletic, they're driven, and they've dominated at this level, along with possessing the ability to make their teammates better," says Manning. "One thing that's also rung true over the years is that teams really appreciate the maturity and the things that they've learned from being in this type of environment; they've been great ambassadors to our school and hockey program."
A number of other SAC alumni who left before graduation have also gone on to be drafted and make their mark in the NHL. Some notable, recent alumni include Robert Thomas '17 and Alex Newhook '19, who spent time at SAC before continuing their hockey journeys elsewhere.
Their stories, along with those of earlier SAC graduates outside the nine-year draft streak, like Warren Foegele '14 and Dylan Sikura '13, highlight the program's long-standing impact on the NHL. A complete list of Saints who have reached the NHL is on a pin-mounted display in the La Brier Family Arena, and after this draft, we have some updating to do!
At the heart of SAC's hockey success is a strong mentorship model. Grade 11 players benefit from the example set by senior teammates, learning how to prepare, how to lead, and how to elevate their game in the face of pressure.
"Having our younger players go through this process alongside draft-eligible teammates is invaluable," says Manning. "They get to see how the leaders and the top players on the team handle and manage the various expectations and attention that come their way. Across the board over the last number of years, our draft-eligible players have really risen to the occasion."
"Above all else, I think a key part of our team is the ability to mentor the Grade 12s, who in turn mentor the younger players. That torch gets passed on year after year."
From high-level competition and internal mentorship to strong academics and character development, St. Andrew's College provides a complete environment where aspiring student-athletes grow, compete, and thrive on and off the ice.
SAC Grads Part of Nine-Year NHL Draft Streak
2025
2025
- Kieran Dervin ’25 – Vancouver Canucks (3rd Round)
- Francesco Dell’Elce ’23 – Colorado Avalanche (3rd Round)
- Aidan Lane ’25 – Calgary Flames (6th Round)
- Dean Letourneau ’24 – Boston Bruins (1st Round, 25th overall)
- Jack Pridham ’23 – Chicago Blackhawks (3rd Round, 92nd overall)
- Jonathan Castagna ’23 – Arizona Coyotes (3rd Round, 70th overall)
- Aydar Suniev ’22 – Calgary Flames (3rd Round, 80th overall)
- Matthew Morden ’22 – Arizona Coyotes (5th Round, 131st overall)
- Luke Devlin ’22 – Pittsburgh Penguins (6th Round, 182nd overall)
- Justin Ertel ’21 – Dallas Stars (3rd Round, 79th overall)
- Jack Bar ’20 – Dallas Stars (5th Round, 138th overall)
- Kienan Draper ’20 – Detroit Red Wings (7th Round, 187th overall)
- Matt Stienburg ’19 – Colorado Avalanche (3rd Round, 63rd overall)
- Cameron Hillis ’18 – Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 66th overall)
- Morgan Barron ’17 – New York Rangers (6th Round, 174th overall)
- Ryan O’Connell ’17 – Toronto Maple Leafs (7th Round, 203rd overall)
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