November 25, 2024 by Spencer Pomoty

We are just over a month into the 2024-25 WHL season, and multiple first-year eligible draftees are battling for the scoring lead in the league.

There have been some terrific performances from players I wasn’t expecting to stand out, and then there have also been some slow starts from players I thought would take a massive step forward. Overall, it appears to be a stronger draft class than I initially thought entering the season, which should result in another solid crop of WHL talent hearing their name called at the 2025 NHL Draft.

Here are my top 20 player rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft out of the WHL for October:

1. Roger McQueen, RHC, 6-foot-5, 192 pounds, Brandon Wheat Kings

A massive centerman with small guy skills, Roger McQueen scored eight goals in eight games before sustaining an injury. He times plays extremely well and is always able to find the soft ice in the zone. Picture perfect shooting mechanics with deadly accuracy also helps bolster his goal scoring prowess. Shooting in stride is a massive part of his game, and he does it at a high-level consistently. McQueen has shown some good playmaking tendencies as well and is willing to take defenders one-on-one, great at keeping players on his backside.

2. Lynden Lakovic, LW, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Moose Jaw Warriors

Like McQueen, Lynden Lakovic is a massive forward, but they are completely different playstyle wise. Lakovic is a pass first player that is always looking towards the slot to set up a play. He’s great at getting involved in transition and plays an NHL give and go style. Incredible skating mechanics at his size and puck protection ability makes him a very intriguing player for the draft.

3. Jackson Smith, LHD, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Tri-City Americans

It all starts with the skating and aggressiveness with the Tri-City defenseman. Jackson Smith loves to get involved offensively and especially in transition when he’s the weak-side option. Even inside the zone, he has shown great playmaking tendencies from the blueline. Defensively, he’s willing to cut plays off as soon as they start. His retrievals have taken a step this year, constantly shoulder checking and using fakes to throw off the forecheck. Smith is great at attacking and beating the F1 on breakouts. He occasionally has some decision-making gaffs happen, but he’s improved a ton even since the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

4. Ben Kindel, RHC/RW, 5-foo-10, 176 pounds, Calgary Hitmen

Ben Kindel has been one of my favourite players to watch this year. Kindle does it all on the ice from power-play to penalty kill, when you need a goal he’s on the ice, when you need to keep the puck out of your net he’s on the ice. He’s great under pressure and can find an extra second in the little pockets of space that is hard to come by in the NHL. The Hitmen rearguard averaged almost most a point per game last year, and he’s on pace to be improve on that clip in 2024-25. Kindel is one of the best tactical players in the WHL. Started playing centre this season and doesn’t look out of place there.

5. Braeden Cootes, RHC, 6-foot, 183 pounds, Seattle Thunderbirds

Pace and Skill is the name of the Thunderbirds’ centre. Braeden Cootes pushes the pace with the best of them in the league, and loves to attack defenders head on. Cootes is great at supporting teammates in all three zones, however, sometimes I found he was almost over supporting to the point where he’d bring an extra defender with him, trusting teammates to make a play on a less than stellar Seattle squad. Still, it’s needed when you move up. He’s also an excellent playmaker, creates a ton of passing lanes and isn’t afraid to use deception to get his way.

6. Cole Reschny, LHC, 5-foot-10, 187 pounds, Victoria Royals

Connecting on plays is the main attribute I love about Cole Reschny. The play rarely, if ever, dies on his stick. Hhe’s able to find a passing option under pressure, and can use his leverage quite well on opposing defenders. The Saskatchewan product is more of a playmaker than a shooter. His shooting mechanics can use some tinkering, but it’s still early. My main worry is that he’s not a burner and he’s not the biggest player either. I would like to see him gain an extra step during the season.

7. Cameron Schmidt, RW, 5-foot-7, 157 pounds, Vancouver Giants

Goal-scoring is hard to find at any level, but Cameron Schmidt is a natural at putting the puck in the net. The Giants leading scorer has been doing this for years now. His playmaking has improved from last year, but he’s always looking to shoot in every situation. Schmidt also plays at an incredibly high pace; he has the skill and confidence to take on any defender one-on-one. Off puck and work along the wall is a concern for me, so I would also like to see him implement some change of pace instead of always going as fast as possible. He isn’t afraid to dish out a crosscheck or get dirty every once in a while either.

8. Blake Fiddler, RHD, 6-foot-4 209, pounds, Edmonton Oil Kings

I’ve watched a ton of Blake Fiddler over the past two season. He’s a towering defenceman who uses his reach defensively to full advantage, has excellent gap control, angling, and aggressiveness. The Nashville Predators prospect has improved a ton with the puck on his stick, from his confidence in walking the line, to activating down the boards, and even the deception he brings with head fakes and angle changes everything has taken a massive step. He possesses excellent skating mechanics and scanning on retrievals as well.

9. Carter Bear, LW, 6-foot, 176 pounds, Everett Silvertips

Last season, I though Carter Bear could be a great steal in the 2024 NHL Draft until I realized he wasn’t even eligible for another year. Bear owns great skating mechanics, gets extremely low, uses his outside edges very well, and has a great first step. His forechecking is one of his main strengths, and he’s never out of a puck battle. He’s excellent in tight situations and has the skill to take defenders on. Bear always trying to penetrate the middle of the ice and seems to make the right decision 99% of the time.

10. Nathan Behm, RW, 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Kamloops Blazers

Nathan Behm is off to a tremendous start to in draft year, as he leads the WHL in scoring at the time this was written. The shooting mechanics are incredible, he can find the quiet ice easily, and he’s always finding a way to catch the goalie off guard or in a bad position. Behm’s passing and playmaking ability is a little underrated. He can pass it on his backhand very well and will hold it under pressure waiting for a play. He also has great board play as well, battles hard, but most importantly he’s constantly fighting for inside position.

11. Reese Hamilton, LHD, 6-foot, 172 pounds, Calgary Hitmen

Though it hasn’t been the strongest start for the Reese Hamilton season, I loved his game last year and at the Gretzky-Hlinka Cup. He owns outstanding skating mechanics, strong gap control, and has a great stick when defending. Hamilton isn’t as aggressive offensively this year as he was compared to last year. He will often resort to the pass down the boards (not a bad play at all, but not as aggressive) instead of walking the line. I still like his game, but the players above have impressed me more in the early stages of this season.

12. Matthew Gard, LHC, 6-foot-4, 192 pounds, Red Deer Rebels

Skating and size is what stands out most about the Rebels pivot. Matthew Gard uses his outside edges to perfection and the rest of his skating mechanics are great. His work ethic in all three zones is also a strength of his, he gets low to support in the defensive zone and comes low on his routes as well. He’s much more of a playmaker than a shooter, and has translatable habits like creating different angles for a pass, using his second option, and delaying if he has to. I like his potential to be a bottom-six centre someday at the next level.

13. Will Sharpe, LHD, 6-foot-1, 194 pounds, Lethbridge Hurricanes

One of the bigger surprises so far this year has been the play of Will Sharpe’s game. Last year, he was above average defensively already, but his offensive game has popped to start his draft campaign. Patience is key for his game, as he’s willing to scan all of his options before making a play and he’s willing to get involved as the weak side defenseman on the rush.

14. Owen Martin, RHC, 6-foot, 183 pounds, Spokane Chiefs

Owen Martin is a smart, two-way centre who has confidence with the puck on his stick. He uses speed differentials very well, and if somebody is skating with him, he has no problem cutting back, gaining space, and finding the best option available. Martin has a great defensive mindset and always stays above his opposing centre. His skating mechanics are a strength of his, the shooting mechanics could use some work, but he’s an all-situation type of player.

15. Hayden Paupanekis, RHC, 6-foot-4, 198 pounds, Spokane Chiefs

A big and fluid skating centreman, Hayden Paupanekis scans the ice well when his team is breaking out and even when the other team is cycling, he’s shoulder checking to make sure he has a man. Paupanekis is aggressive on the forecheck and a strong back checker. He prefers to keep play along the perimeter instead of trying to make plays through the middle of the ice. If he implements that into his game, he could make a jump in scoring.

16. Ryan Miller, LHC/LW, 5-foot-1, 174 pounds, Portland Winterhawks

Ryan Miller is a versatile forward who has impressed me this season. His skating mechanics are above average with a few minor tweaks needed, but he can play at a high pace. He uses gives and goes very well, makes a pass and tries to find a way to get open to get it back. Miller is good on the forecheck, too, and when playing centre, he is always supporting low in the zone and comes low on his routes. He has excellent outside edge work to avoid opposition and an underrated shot with some good playmaking instincts.

17. Jordan Gavin, LW, 5-foot-11, 179 pounds, Tri-City Americans

Jordan Gavin owns good puck skills, is willing to be creative with one-on-one moves and playmaking is a strength of his. He’s solid in tight quarters, but the skating is lacking quite a bit and he’s not a big player. Gavin doesn’t play at the highest pace due to these limitations. He’s been mostly a power-play specialist in my viewings so far.

18. Kolten Bridgeman, RHD, 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, Regina Pats

Scoring will not be his strength at the next level, but there is much more to this game than scoring, and the Regina defenceman impressed me in multiple facets of the game. Kolten Bridgeman has solid skating mechanics, but he needs to get a bit lower, work on his first steps, and keep the stride horizontal instead of vertical. His composure under pressure is great, and isn’t afraid to use his outside edges when in trouble. Bridgeman controls an excellent gap on the rush and his close-outs are quick as well as angled properly. He makes a ton of breakout passes instead of dumping it out. Bridgeman will join the rush as the weak side defender, but his offensive game is limited at the moment. He’s a bit of a sleeper this year, in my opinion.

19. Brandon Gorzynski, LW, 6-foot-2, 179 pounds, Calgary Hitmen

The third Hitmen player on my October list, Brandon Gorzynski, is a tenacious forechecker with some solid playmaking tendencies. He has great skating mechanics and his effort is impressive in all three zones. Gorzynski doesn’t play much on special teams, but makes an impact at five-one-five. I would like to see Gorzynski scan the ice a bit more along the wall and be more proactive than reactive, but he has a good tendency to create contact first and keep the opposing player on his back.

20. Ty Coupland, RW, 5-foot-10, 168 pounds, Swift Current Broncos

Ty Coupland is much more of a shooter than a playmaker. His shooting mechanics are solid, his catch and release is good as well, and he even has a decent one-timer. However, his skating mechanics are average and he doesn’t play at the highest pace, often preferring to slow things down. But as I said earlier with Gavin, that it can be an issue at his size. The North Vancouver, British Columbia native isn’t that creative as a playmaker, but will try and make a move around defenders. I’d like to see Coupland gain a pull away gear, because he has some great hands and confidence that can take him to another level.