Top Five Celebrities Who Could Introduce the Senators’ First Round Draft Pick Friday Night

Top Five: Which Celebrity Will Announce the Ottawa Senators’ First Round Draft Pick?

Anticipation is building in Ottawa and across the NHL as fans eagerly await the 2025 NHL Draft, set to kick off Friday night at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While the attention naturally falls on who the Ottawa Senators will select with their coveted first round pick, an equally compelling question looms: which celebrity will have the honor of announcing the Senators’ top pick on stage?

This unique tradition of having celebrities unveil first-round selections has become a memorable highlight of recent drafts, with teams enlisting stars to add an extra spark to the proceedings. This year, speculation and excitement run high as the Senators’ supporters and NHL fans speculate about which well-known figure will step into the spotlight.

Ottawa Senators: First Round Position and Trade Prelude

The Senators originally held the 21st overall pick in the 2025 first round, but shook up the draft order just hours ahead of the event. Ottawa traded the 21st pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for the 23rd overall and the 67th pick, moving back two spots in the first round but gaining an additional third round selection. This strategic move suggests the Senators are focused on accumulating assets while still targeting a player high on their draft board.

When their moment finally arrived, Ottawa used the 23rd overall pick to select right-shot defenseman Logan Hensler from the University of Wisconsin, aiming to bolster their blue line with a player known for his strong skating and defensive instincts. The value of the trade and expectations for Hensler’s development were discussed in detail by analysts following the event, highlighting Ottawa’s belief in the young defender’s upside and readiness for the NHL pathway. For a full breakdown of Ottawa’s trade and selection, check out this in-depth reaction video from local hockey commentators Brandon Piller and Ross Levitan on YouTube.

The Celebrity Announcement: Who Will It Be?

Each year, NHL teams often bring out prominent figures—whether alumni, actors, musicians, or athletes with local ties—to reveal their first-round picks. As speculation swirls, here are the top five candidates rumored or hoped for by Senators fans and Ottawa insiders:

1. Daniel Alfredsson
   A franchise legend and current front office member, Alfredsson’s connection to the Senators is undeniable. Many expect the beloved captain to reprise his role and energize the fanbase by ushering in the team’s future star.

2. Ryan Reynolds
   The Canadian actor and entrepreneur, known for his widely publicized interest in buying the Ottawa Senators last year, remains a celebrity favorite. Even if his ownership bid didn’t pan out, Reynolds’ presence would draw massive attention to the pick and highlight the Senators on draft night.

3. Sandra Oh
   A proud Ottawa native and international Emmy Award-winning actress, Sandra Oh would bring both star power and local roots to the stage. Her participation would celebrate the city’s cultural and sporting vibrancy.

4. Erik Karlsson
   Should he make a surprise return, the former Senators captain and current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman would deliver both nostalgia and excitement for Sens fans, bridging the era of past and future stars.

5. Ottawa Fury FC’s Top Player
   Soccer continues to grow in Ottawa, and recognizing a local sports figure outside hockey would add a fresh dimension to the draft presentation, connecting fans across the city’s sporting landscape.

Social Media Buzz and Speculation

In the lead-up to draft night, fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to share their predictions and campaign for their favorite celebrities to announce the Senators’ pick. Several posts have featured mock graphics and video edits of celebrities such as Daniel Alfredsson holding a Senators jersey at the draft podium, while hashtags like #SensDraftCelebrity and #WhoWillAnnounce trend among Ottawa’s hockey community.

The team’s official social channels have further played into the speculation, dropping hints and throwback images of past celebrity guest announcers, fueling engagement and suspense right up to the event.

What’s Next for Ottawa?

Regardless of who steps up to the microphone come Friday night, the announcement of the Ottawa Senators’ first round pick will mark a pivotal moment for the franchise. Fans will be tuning in to see not only which promising young talent joins the Senators roster, but also which celebrity helps welcome them to the NHL stage.

To stay updated on the latest draft developments and behind-the-scenes moments from Los Angeles, follow the official Ottawa Senators newsroom and the NHL’s live draft center.

For a comprehensive overview of the 2025 draft order and how trades have shaped the landscape, refer to the NHL’s official draft guide and Puckpedia’s draft tracker.

As always, the NHL Draft remains as much about the pageantry and personalities as it is about shaping rosters for the future—and this year, all eyes in Ottawa will be watching to see who gets the unique opportunity to announce the next star in a Senators jersey.