2025 NHL Draft – Top 10 WHL Potential Clients – Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft
The Western Conference Hockey League (WHL) has a long history of players who were drafted into the league early in the NHL draft, including Connor Bedard (2023, Chicago Blackhawks) and Seth Jarvis (2020, Carolina Hurricanes). They also selected four players in the top 10 in the 2024 NHL draft, including Cayden Lindstrom (Columbus Blue Jacket) and Tij Iginla (Utah Mammoth). The league has the potential to see another player in the early rounds of the 2025 draft.
10. MatthewGard, C, Red Deer Rebels
NHL Central Reconnaissance Ranking: No. 37 (NA Skater)
Matthew Gard has performed well at the U18 World Championships (WC) representing Canada, which undoubtedly makes the most of the limited ice time he has gained in the game to open the eyes of many. Gard’s game highlights most is his strong two-way match, which allows him to influence all three ice areas. The 6-foot-4 center skates are really good for players of his size and also make good use of his size to play to his advantage.
Gard plays a strong power forward style and has enough offensive skills to make an impact in the offensive zone. His defensive performance is also his offensive game. He uses his body well to distinguish his opponent from the hockey when he gets the chance and fundamentally sounds in his area. He should be the second round of the second round of the June second round draft.
9. BlakeFiddler, D, Edmonton Oil Kings
NHL Central Reconnaissance Ranking: 26
Blake Fiddler, who has played games in the NHL (Vernon Fiddler is his father), has drawn his own route to become one of the top prospects for the 2025 class. The young fiddler used his phone card as a two-way defender and he used his figure to play his strengths, 6-foot-4. He is another player and despite his short stature, he is a powerful skater. This helps his defensive game, which is very reasonable, he is a reliable player in the ice back end.
While there aren’t the most explosive offensive game and production this season, Fiddler’s two-way potential is still there. Right-handed shots from his defensive player position will be a hot commodity in the defensive NHL organization in June.
8. ColeReschny, C, Victoria Royals
NHL Central Reconnaissance Ranking: 25
Cole Reschny, one of the best organizers of this year’s draft class, has a lot of skills that can make NHL organizations happy to add him to the system. On the smaller side (5-foot-10, 187 pounds), Reschny has the cleverness and perception of elite hockey to get himself out of bad positions. He uses his vision to get himself or his teammates into better positions, whether in the offensive or defensive zone.
When Reschny tucked on the stick in the offensive zone, his vision was fully displayed as he constantly scans the ice as an open teammate or open lane to shoot himself. In his development, his passing and toy skills were his bread and butter, which was a strong desire to play the defensive game.
7. Benjamin Jindell (C), Calgary Killer
NHL Central Reconnaissance Level: 21
Another player with the largest height of Benjamin Kindel is his size, 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds tall. He didn’t make him a player at the pace, though, as he earned an impressive 99 points this season for a deeply Calgary Killer team. Not only was Jindell able to put the hockey himself behind the network, he also had excellent entertainment skills and vision on the ice.
Jindell is as strong as a hockey, stay away from it. He always walks around, trying to put himself on the offensive end to get a pass. Defensively, he scans the ice and lowers his defender to center well. If he could add a little bit, he might be the top six in the NHL at some point.
6. BraedenCootes, C, Seattle Thunderbird
NHL Central Scout Level: 20
Braeden Cootes performed well in Canada’s U18 WC, where he led the team for 12 points and his draft value continued to rise with his game. Whenever he’s on the ice, he’s easily one of the players, if not the hardest player, and keeps trying to make games or fill lanes to produce for his team.
Related: THW’s 2025 NHL Draft Guide
While not necessarily the most aggressive, awareness, IQ and vision on the ice make him a powerful entertainment threat. With high motors and energy, he is still able to get out of the way when he is punished. Overall, the Cootes brings a game to the hockey many NHL teams want to have in the roster.
5. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warrior
NHL Central Reconnaissance Level: 14th
Lynden Lakovic, a player who plays fun game styles, isn’t your typical big frame forward. Lakovic stands at a height of 6 feet 4, more like a skilled or sophisticated style game. He does use his size to protect the puck, but when he puts the puck on the stick to work, he relies more on his senses and consciousness. In his toolbox, the offensive also showed strong footage and was supported by a quick release.
While Lakovic may not play the “power forward” style that many think he will play because of his figure, he has gotten better at playing bigger body games and shows that he stood out for the CHL team in two games earlier this year at the CHL/USA Top Prospects Challenge. Overall, Lakovic’s game can be used as a power forward character or a character with all-around offensive power and leverage his complete toolbox to make an impact. He also has the leadership that any NHL organization wants to have in the players and brought him a win-win mentality after making the 2024 Memorial Cup with Brayden Yager (Winnipeg Jets Prospect) and Denton Mateychuk (Blue Jackets Prospect).
4. Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City American
NHL Central Scout Level: 13
Jackson Smith is considered one of the most comprehensive and offensive talented defenders in this year’s draft class, checking out a lot of boxes as he became a powerful two-way defender in the NHL. Smith is not afraid to play offensive games, showing himself as a playmaker with excellent passing skills. Whether it is defensive or offensive, he has no problem playing a role in the transition.
After a great performance with Canada’s U18 WC, Smith showed his goal score, scoring four in seven games he played in the game. With his offensive upside, Smith does have to develop some defensively, but his potential makes him a player and should hear his name early in the first round of the June game.
3. Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips
NHL Central Reconnaissance Level: Tenth
Carter Bear is not a big player anyway (6 feet tall) but loves to play physics games. He fights against his opponents and through contacts, almost always in board battles. What helps in his body game is the intuition he has. He is a very smart player on the ice and knows when and when not to play. Bale also has the ability to be one of the most dangerous players on the ice.
Defensively, Bale’s motor and willingness to participate in the body work again. He also has a trick to be in the right position at the right time to break the pass attempt, or even enter the shooting lane to stop the shot or stop the opponent. At the end of the season, Achilles’ injury ended his impressive draft season, but the Bears’ style of play and upside down made him a strong bet for early to mid-term first-round picks.
2. RogerMcQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
NHL Central Reconnaissance Level: 8th
Another high-end prospect, his draft injury was hampered, with Roger McQueen’s injury limiting only 17 games. Entering the season, many believe McQueen could be the top three in this year’s draft, although injury may change that, whatever the NHL organization picks him will attract a player who can do it all and do whatever it takes for his team.
McQueen can do it all offensively, especially his size (6-foot-5). He is a good figure for the player and can put the puck on the rope to play a role on the opponent while also holding on to the puck. His shooting percentage is enough to be a threat to scoring, but he has a lot of work as a playmaker. Once you find a teammate with a scoring chance, McQueen becomes a strong net rebound and uses his figure to enter the network to create screens for himself, and create screens for his own prompts or rebounds. While he may have shortened the season with injuries, he should help him become the top ten skill this year.
1.
NHL Central Reconnaissance Level: Fifth
In his first season of North American junior hockey, Radim Mrtka had a strong influence on the Seattle Thunderbirds and became one of the best defenders in the conversation at this year’s draft after being drafted in the second round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Mirtka is more of a defensive defender, who plays a great defensive game under the mobility of the ice back end. His skating ability can keep his opponent outside the area as they rush down the ice.
In the defensive area, his vision has been fully demonstrated as Mrtka looks around all the time and keeps his head spinning to take the passing lane and pick up the opponent. He also used the frame very well when he needed it. At this stage, the biggest defeat against him is his offensive game needs to develop and be more consistent. With more experience in North American style games, there are many reasons to hope he can develop offensively.
A lot of talent from WHL
As it happens every year, the WHL has a lot of talent representation leagues in the 2025 NHL Draft, and it is very likely that a few of them will be selected in the first round of the June draft this year.
Sign up for our NHL prospects and draft alternative newsletter
