Strathmann completed his first NCAA season with the University of North Dakota in 2024-2025. His offensive output took a step back from the numbers he has shown in the USHL, as he posted two goals and two assists in 30 games. The offense would obviously take a dip as he moved to a higher level, but notably his penalty minutes- over 100 per season in the USHL- fell to just 24 in the NCAA. Strathmann is a hard read at present, but is just 20, and has several years of college hockey ahead of him before we can be certain what he could be in the professional ranks. He doesn’t appear to be a stash at present.

Strathmann was selected 98th overall by the Blue Jackets.

Strathmann is a creative offensive defenseman who may activate more frequently in the offensive zone than any other 2023 eligible defender. His creativity and evasiveness form the basis of his offensive game. He’s a slightly above-average skater who handles the puck quite well, which allows him to get around USHL forecheckers. These tools will need to take a significant step to translate to the NCAA, however. His decision-making with the puck is very inconsistent. He puts on the blinders regularly, shooting from low-danger areas when high-danger passing lanes open up to him with his dynamic movement, and due to below-average scanning habits, he gives away possession when pressured quite often. Scanning is a particular issue on retrievals and receptions. His defensive game is also a weakness at this point in time, he switches assignments without warning, leaving unmanned opponents in the slot, and his gap control is inconsistent at best.

He’s a very raw prospect but he’s off to a good program at the University of North Dakota and if his tools, scanning, and decision-making can take a significant leap, he could develop into a valuable second-pairing offensive defenseman, which makes him an interesting swing on upside outside the top-64. There is significant risk in drafting Strathmann, but a team with a strong development program could mould him into a very intruiguing NHL asset.