On day two of the 2025 National Hockey League Draft, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, Sault Ste. Marie’s Rylan Fellinger heard his name called by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound defenseman was selected 185th overall in the sixth round.

Born in Wawa, Ontario, Fellinger moved to Sault Ste. Marie with his family at a young age and developed through the local minor hockey system. In the 2022-2023 season, Fellinger recorded twelve assists in 25 regular season games with the GNU18HL Soo U18 Greyhounds, adding six more assists in five playoff appearances. His strong presence on the blue line earned him a selection by the Ontario Hockey League’s Flint Firebirds in the 13th round (255th overall) of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft.

Since joining the Firebirds, Fellinger has played in 122 regular season games over two seasons, tallying three goals and eight assists. He also appeared in eight playoff games with Flint between 2024 and 2025.

Fellinger told Saultsports that “I’m incredibly honored and excited to be selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round. Growing up in Wawa and eventually moving to Sault Ste. Marie to play higher level hockey, my family and I have always been passionate Leaf fans, so being drafted truly is a dream come true.”

“I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s goals and continuing to grow both on and off the ice. I’m committed to working hard, developing my physical strength, and preparing myself to earn a future role with the team. I am very appreciative of all the support from the Flint Firebirds, the communities of Wawa, Sault Ste Marie and Flint, Michigan, family and friends. I will continue to do my best and work hard of achieving my dream of playing in the NHL,” added Rylan.

Now an NHL prospect, Fellinger brings size, strength, and a stay-at-home defensive game to the Maple Leafs’ system, continuing the strong tradition of Northern Ontario talent advancing to the next level.