2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cameron Reid

Upside Hockey's NHL Draft profile series: Aces Edition, Vol. 5

Upside Hockey’s prolific prospect profiler Trevor Curtis’s 2025 NHL draft eligible prospect profiles are all featured on our dedicated page for this with all featured prospects indexed in our table of contents alphabetically by last name. For the 2024 NHL Draft, for example, we had well over 200 prospect profiles completed.

Draft Thoughts (Aces Edition, Vol. 5):

LD Cameron Reid (6'0", 193lbs)

Kitchener (OHL): 67gp/ 14g/ 40a/ 54pts, +39, 44 PIM

The Kitchener Rangers had a big hole to fill on defense after the departure of Hunter Brzustewicz to the pros, and though it would be near impossible to find any defensemen who could replace his 92 points from 2023-24, D Cam Reid (ranked # 23 NA Skaters, # 37 by McKenzie, # 12 by Button, # 32 at Upside) stepped up on the left side to fill-in admirably.

Cameron Reid #18, Kitchener Rangers (Photo: OHL Images)

Reid led the Rangers' backend in scoring by 22 points this season, while placing 3rd-overall on the team with 54 points in 67 games. Kitchener was the 2nd-best team in the OHL this season- 8th in goals-scored, and 2nd in goals-against, but were eliminated from the playoffs in the Conference Championship by the London Knights in just 4 games, with Reid posting only 5 points (and a minus-5) in 14 games- missing the final two games of the Rangers' first-round match-up against Flint after what his coach called "a dirty hit". I believe another dirty hit that forced him out of the game on March 9th against the Guelph Storm may have derailed his post-season, perhaps forcing him to play through an injury.

Reid is the epitome of a modern-day, two-way defenseman, with a staunch shut-down game, and high-pace offensive ability. He is heavily leaned on, plays big minutes in important situations, and contributes to both sides of special teams.

Reid's best physical attribute is his skating, which drives his entire game. He moves around effortlessly, with near-elite mobility in all directions, and otherworldly edges that allow him to alter his pace and direction almost instantaneously, transition seamlessly, zip across the ice laterally, and evade checks easily with his shiftiness. There are few players who can catch up to him in open-ice, beat him to a loose puck, or contain him in close-quarters. He's explosive in his start-up, and accelerates expeditiously, with a long and powerful stride on smooth, fluid mechanics; his speed and maneuverability help him to open space, and buy himself time to make decisions.

When his quick hands blend with his footwork, he can solve problems on the fly; his puck-skills are nearly faultless, and he handles beautifully, with rare poise and confidence in his ability to carry. With his ability to control the puck with one hand, he protects well in-motion, shielding the puck from his opponents' reach. He can deke and dangle around defenders, or curl-and-drag around sticks, and displays soft-touch in his passing, with good hands in-tight. Reid scans thoroughly, skating with his head up to read the play, and shoulder-checking with his head on a swivel, in order to make sound decisions.

He's a methodical puck-mover who cuts down time-spent in the defensive zone; getting the puck travelling in the opposite direction, either by rushing through exit and entry, hooking up with teammates in give-and-go sequences, or with calm and composed outlets to span the neutral zone, with passes that seem to always put the recipients in advantageous situations. Like everything he does, he makes the process of retrieval, to first-pass, to transition look easy, efficient, and uneventful. He's confident in his abilities, and has the mobility to recover quickly from any miscues that might happen. He's not shy about dumping the puck in to gain the zone, and can beat defenders on the chip-and-chase.

In the offensive zone, Reid exhibits high-end IQ and hockey sense, with solid vision in making plays; he displays a high-rate of success in creating grade "A" chances. He may not exude elite creativity at all times, like a Lane Hutson, or a Quinn Hughes, but it's there. Walking the line authoritatively, he stays active to pry open passing seams and shooting lanes, often hovering near the top of the circle when managing the play. He is active, elusive, and deceptive at the top of the zone, with fakes, delays, cut-backs, feints, and look-offs to break-down defensive structures, and manipulate opponents into opening space in order to create advantages for himself and his teammates.

He will join the rush as an extra attacker, and will pinch in deep to attack the net, or to make plays around the crease. Reid's shot is not really strong though, and he seems to only fire from the point to make plays and create rebounds; he has more success when shooting from the high-slot, and from in-close, with his soft hands and smart puck-placement.

In the defensive zone, Reid directs traffic and exerts immaculate positioning, with keen awareness, and superb use of his stick to kill plays. In games that I've seen, he's looked infallible against the rush, making stop after stop with suffocating gaps, acute angling, smooth backwards mobility to match footwork, and a well-timed stick. He's nearly impossible to outrun, and can't be beat wide. More aggression and physicality around the net is needed going forward, but he's already an excellent defensive player, and kills penalties well.

Reid isn't the most physical player, preferring to perform his duties with incredibly deft use of his stick, and intelligent positioning. He will throw a hit only once in a while, but he doesn't shy away from the rough stuff; he will take a hit to make a play, and wins an inordinate amount of puck-battles.

He can sometimes be slowed down by physicality though, and is often put off of his game in more physical contests. At his size, he struggles against larger opponents- especially in front of his net, and he will have to learn to manage contact better for higher levels.

Wearing an "A" for Kitchener, he sets an example with his highly responsible, mature game, his compete, and his accountability - he's a character kid. With his mobility, smarts, and puck-skill, he's the perfect candidate for top-4 defensive duties in the NHL, with the potential to make it up to the top-pairing - much like a TJ Brodie-type, with a touch more offense. Look for him in the second-half of the first-round.

See our 2025 NHL Prospect Profile home page for all of our profiles.

See where Reid landed in our most recent mock draft: