With a good hockey pedigree and a large frame to go along with attributes of grit and skill, the son of Shawn Horcoff may have a big future somewhere. Will it be with the Devils?
Our profiles of 2025 draft-eligible prospects continue with William Horcoff, an interesting center, the New Jersey Devils may have an opportunity to select. Let’s delve in.
Who is William Horcoff?
Like his father, long-time NHLer Shawn Horcoff, William is a natural center. He was born January 23, 2007 in Birmingham, Michigan and is listed at 6’4’’, 181 pounds according to Elite Prospects. Horcoff split 2023-24 playing for the USNTDP Juniors in the USHL where he amassed only 5 goals and 10 points in 35 games. This past season, the large left-handed center split his time again, this time with the U.S. National Team, improving to 14 points in 28 games and an early rise to the University of Michigan, where the center quickly picked up his game, potting four goals and ten points in only eighteen games.
Horcoff also has international experience for Team USA scoring three points in seven games in 2023-24 and four points in this season’s World Junior’s tournament. Not surprisingly, Horcoff is expected to continue developing at the University of Michigan next year.
Where is Horcoff Ranked?
#24 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
What Others Say About Horcoff
The attributes that pop out most in scouting reports of Horcoff is his high hockey IQ and gritty defensive work with a willingness to take the body on intense forechecks and block shots. Horcoff’s offense seems to be currently centered around a crash the net and pop it in philosophy, but the center possesses a high-quality shot, which could be nurtured with more confidence into a bigger offensive threat. His biggest downside appears to be his skating, which is unsurprising in a man his size, as it lacks acceleration.
Here are some quotes.
“Will loves to put players through the glass whenever possible. He hasn’t put up a ton of points this year, but he’s good in his own zone and is one of the team’s better back checkers.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
Outside of the offensive zone, his defensive game is very fundamentally sound. He is all over his opponents on the backcheck and then engages well in board battles. Away from the puck in the defensive zone, the Birmingham, Michigan native fills lanes and plays with an active stick to take away passing options for his opponents. – Jordon Orth, theHockeyWriters
William Horcoff is a long limbed forward with NHL bloodlines, power-forward attributes, and pro habits already forming in his off-puck game. While still raw and physically underdeveloped for his frame, Horcoff has made a relatively smooth transition to the NCAA level after a mid-season move from the NTDP, earning a middle-six role at even strength and power play usage. – NeutralZone
A Little Video
An Opinion
Whether Horcoff will be available when the Devils step up to the podium for the first time in this year’s draft is far from certain, but they could certainly do worse than selecting William Horcoff. The big center ticks a lot of boxes lacking in the Devils system and seems to be a prototypical mid-six center in the making contingent on the improvements to his offensive game. Horcoff is already menacing despite a somewhat lanky frame and that will only continue with more muscle as he gets older and develops. That muscle should improve his coordination and acceleration to bring his skating to the next level, though it should be noted nowhere was it stated that Horcoff’s skating was terrible for his size, but rather something still needing of work.
Your Opinion
What do you think of WIlliam Horcoff or the draft in general? Post your comments below.