With the 111th pick at the 2025 NHL Draft the New York Rangers selected center Mikkel Eriksen out Färjestad BK and Sweden’s J20 league. Eriksen was ranked #78 by Daily Faceoff, #104 by Draft Prospects Hockey, and the #38 overall EU skater by NHL Central Scouting.
With the 111th pick at the 2025 NHL Draft, #NYR are proud to select Mikkel Eriksen. pic.twitter.com/Aki67DjlMq
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 28, 2025
Eriksen, a 17-year old Norwegian national, is an undersized, offensive-minded center who has produced at every level of his hockey career thus far. This past season he potted 22 goals and added 21 assists for 43 points in just 40 games with Färjestad BK. He also starred with Norway’s junior teams, tallying six goals, seven assists, and 13 points over 16 combined games for the U18 and U20 national teams. He is slated to continue his develop in Sweden next year.
Eriksen is one of the youngest players in this draft as he does not turn 18 until September 13th. At 5’11 and 187 lbs, he is a smaller center but is smooth with the puck on his stick and has good scoring instincts. Elite Prospects labels Eriksen as a “deceptive attacker” who is “very good at slowing the pace of the game down and delaying, waiting for the best play to present itself before executing.”
Mikkel Eriksen was one of my favourite players from Europe early in the year.
— Ryan Ma 📊 (@RyanMaScouting) January 22, 2025
Part of a rising crop of 🇳🇴 players in recent years the model loves his overall game. More of a passenger on his line who thrives on playing off his teammates, his game feels like it’ll translate well. https://t.co/nI6Jk2k9RL pic.twitter.com/RU0w7uDxGG
This characterization is evident when watching his highlights, as he is able to generate scoring chances by being patient with the puck and taking what the defense gives to him. This mindset manifests itself away from the puck as well, as Eriksen is often able to find a soft spot in the defense and put himself in position to score. The best example of this is his goal against Canada during the 2025 U18 World Championships. Despite losing the faceoff, Norway gets to the puck and Eriksen reads the play well, getting to the front of the net to give his teammate an outlet. Eriksen then fakes and one-timer and quickly gets the puck to his backhand where he beats the netminder for a slick goal.
Eriksen is a high-ceiling, low floor pick which is exactly the type of player the Rangers should be targeting in the 4th round. He has the potential to be a middle-six forward if he develops properly. It is hard to project if he will reach that potential given how young he is and the lower-level league he plays in. That said, the Rangers need centers and upside in their pipeline and Eriksen checks both boxes. I love this pick by Chris Drury and company.