Rylan Fellinger Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Rylan Fellinger, a towering 6-foot-4 defenseman, was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2025 NHL Draft as their sixth-round pick, landing at the 185th spot overall. Unconventionally, he wasn’t in attendance at the draft held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles but was instead celebrating his high school prom in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Draft Day Experience
Reflecting on the moment he learned he had been drafted, Fellinger initially tried to steer clear of the draft excitement while attending prom. However, his friend and teammate Hudson Chitaroni was streaming the draft, and without expecting it, he saw his name come up as the Leafs were making their pick. Fellinger shared:
“I just wanted to clear my mind a little bit, and he was just watching it. 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.”
The Maple Leafs opted for four consecutive forwards before selecting Fellinger, making him their first defensive choice of the draft. Maple Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting, Mark Leach, noted that while Fellinger possesses impressive size, he will need to work diligently on refining his skills.
Emotional Night
Fellinger described the whirlwind of emotions that filled the night after he was drafted, stating:
“I was just so out of it. I was so excited. So many emotions going through my mind. I could see my family out there, and it was an awesome experience.”
His date for the prom had a lively reaction to his draft news, as he mentioned:
“She was going crazy. She was so happy for me and it was awesome.”
Despite the draft occurring during prom, Fellinger was determined to celebrate with his friends who had been a consistent support system throughout his life. He emphasized:
“I still wanted to see all my childhood friends. They’ve been with me since the start. They’ve always had my back. Celebrating with them was just an unreal experience.”
Even though he considered the possibility of making an announcement at the prom about his draft, he ultimately decided against it, feeling it would shift the focus away from the festivities.
Development Camp and Family Support
Following the draft, Fellinger joined the Maple Leafs Development Camp at the Ford Performance Centre, where he had the opportunity to work with former Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin. He expressed gratitude for the chance to learn from Muzzin, stating:
“Ah, it’s awesome. I love that. Anything that comes from him is always a great experience.”
Fellinger, a long-time Toronto Maple Leafs fan along with his father and grandfather, recalled his family’s joy when he received the call from Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving. The excitement was contagious, as he recounted how his father was emotional at the news of his son’s achievement, proving to be a heartwarming moment for the family.
Looking Ahead
As he continues to navigate his new reality as a Maple Leafs prospect, Fellinger remains focused on improving his game and embracing the supportive atmosphere within the team. He said:
“Everyone has been welcoming here… It’s amazing.”
This displays a sense of camaraderie despite having yet to meet all his new teammates.
