Focusing on Western Canadian hockey prospects as part of the Puck Preps network. Scouting, ranking & evaluating hockey prospects from the 2003-2007 birth years.
On the eve of the 2022 WHL Draft, here is our final top 10 ranking.
Full draft rankings, player evaluations, game reports and skills assessments for the draft can be found here 👉
Gavin McKenna is already leaving his mark on the WHL.
The first overall pick from this years draft collected his first point with this nifty assist!
@Tigershockey
Top WHL scorers from 2021-22: first-year NHL Draft eligible next season.
Connor Bedard - 100 in 62
Andrew Cristall - 69 in 61
Zach Benson - 63 in 58
Brayden Yager - 59 in 65
Riley Heidt - 58 in 65
Koehn Ziemmer - 57 in 68
Nate Danielson - 57 in 53
Connor Levis - 42 in 68
There are now 10 WHL players given “A” rankings by Central Scouting for the 2023 NHL Draft.
Connor Bedard
Riley Heidt
Koehn Ziemmer
Brayden Yager
Nate Danielson
Andrew Cristall
Lukas Dragicevic
Zach Benson
Samuel Honzek
Carson Bjarnason
I have confirmed that 3 teen boys killed in this Surrey crash are hockey players with Delta Hockey Academy. My deep condolences to those who knew Caleb Reimer, Ronin Sharma and Parker Magnuson, all of
#SurreyBC
.
@SurreyNowLeader
4⭐️ Savin Virk has committed to
@MSU_Hockey
and will be playing with the Chilliwack Chiefs this upcoming season.
Savin had 47 points in 29 games for Yale U18 in 2022-23 and was the 46th Overall selection in the 2022 WHL Draft.
I am proud and excited to announce my commitment to Michigan State University. Thank you to God, my family, my coaches, and my teammates who have supported me along the way.
Looking forward to continuing my hockey journey at Michigan State!
#gogreen
The Top Western Players from 2022 Team Canada U17 Development camp games.
Roger McQueen 6G-2A
Berkly Catton 3G-3A
Macklin Celebrini 2G-4A
Reid Varkonyi 2G-3A
Clarke Caswell 1G-4A
Tomas Mrsic 1G-4A
Ryder Ritchie 3G-1A
Jordan Gavin 2G-2A
Why
@NAXHockey
’s Tristen Doyle is an elite prospect & our
#1
ranked dman for the 2021
@TheWHL
Draft in 1 shift. Took hit to make breakout pass, joined rush, furthest player away but made defensive play on backcheck, joined rush again & scored. Covers approx 350 feet in 25 seconds
Tanner Molendyk showing off his skating stride, composure, confidence, and transition passing abilities. It's how all of these work in tandem which made him so successful for Team Canada.
Been quite the journey for
@SeattleTbirds
2006-born defenseman Bryce Pickford.
The second round pick went from playing U18 AA hockey in Alberta last year to the Memorial Cup this year.
Congratulations to the tournament winning
@BAAAWheatKings
at the
@BAA_Challenge
event this weekend.
Terrific showing for their finals opponents
@AaHumboldt
Tournament MVP goes to Dayne Beuker from Humboldt.
Brayden Yager finished the season tied second in team scoring with 18 points in 24 games.
It is incredible that he is implementing power moves like this as a 2005-born forward.
Jesse Heslop, who went 66th to
@WHLsilvertips
and ranked 42nd by PuckPreps becomes the first player to score from the 2021 Draft.
Tons of creativity and offensive intuition in Jesse.
@YHA_Lions
U17 Prep.
Ten days after being selected by the
@WHLsilvertips
in the third round,
Hours after signing a WHL Standard Player Agreement,
Jesse Heslop becomes the first player from the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft to score a goal in the WHL!
2021 WHL Draft Leading scorers
1. Josh Fluker - D - SC - 5 in 9
2. Miguel Marques - F - LET - 4 in 7
3. Jonas Woo - D - WPG - 3 in 11
4. Marek Howell - D - MJ - 2 in 4
5. Charlie Elick - D - BDN - 2 in 5
6. Gavin Hodnett - F - EDM - 2 in 5
Here’s a statistical look at how the 2005s are faring so far this season:
Connor Bedard 9GP/7G/10A/17PTS
Zach Benson 9GP/3G/4A/7PTS
Brayden Yager 9GP/2G/4A/6PTS
Mazden Leslie 1GP/2G/0A/2PTS
Andrew Cristall 2GP/0G/2A/2PTS
Tanner Moldendyk 2GP/0G/2A/2PTS
Riley Heidt 2GP/1G/0A/1PT
Excelling in expected goals and all shooting microstats, Kamloops Blazers Olen Zellweger has the highest Overall rating among WHL defensemen at 5 on 5 per 60 minutes.
All advanced stat rankings and player cards available ➡️
🚨 2024 WHL DRAFT RANKINGS 🚨
Our preliminary top-20 for the 2024 WHL Draft is here! A whopping 5
@edgeschool
skaters debut in the top-10, including
#1
ranked Landon Dupont. Joel Henderson provides insight on every player in the initial top-20.
Article is free and unlocked 🔓
Riley Heidt has 17 points in the last 13 games.
Ice time in the last 4 games for
@PGCougars
?
26:26
29:53
24:24
24:11
The 2005-born forward is playing very important minutes.
One interesting name on the U16 roster is Tij Iginla, son of NHL HOFer Jarome Iginla. Tij played his youth hockey in Boston but has moved to BC and will play for
@rha_kelowna
this season. He’ll be eligible for the 2021 WHL Draft and is a top 75 ‘06 born prospect in North America.
BC Hockey is pleased to announce the rosters and schedules for the upcoming Female U18 and Male U16 Program of Excellence Provincial Camp.
#TheRoadtoTeamBC
Beginning the year at # 1 in our 2008-born rankings is 6'3, 190lbs Albertan defenseman Keaton Verhoeff from
@rha_kelowna
U15 Prep.
See the full Top-25 list:
Looks like the 2021 WHL Drafts 2nd pick, Jordan Gavin, will be joining the
@TCAmericans
for their weekend road trip to Victoria for 2 games and Vancouver for one. Gavin has one of the best shots in the 2006 class and is an elite goal scorer and playmaker.
Jack Kachkowski. - RHD -
@SabresRaiders
U15
Just a true creative and active defensemen who loves to constantly attack. Filled with a relentless spirit, Jack uses his smooth stride, strong puck control, and deceptive motions to keep the opposition on their toes.
#2022WHLDraft
Koehn Ziemmer -
@PGCougars
He loves to shoot the puck. Top notch balance and the ability to open up his posture to make sure he can be a lethal shooter. Already an explosive power forward. He's a late 2004 birthday so he isn't draft eligible until
#2023NHLDraft
. Watch out.
🚨2023 WHL Draft Ranking Update 🚨
As of our March ranking update, Okanagan Hockey Academy’s Mathis Preston is our new
#1
ranked player for the
#2023WHLDraft
.
In addition, we’ve expanded our ranking to 120 skaters.
Full Ranking ➡️
Reid Schaefer - F -
@SeattleTbirds
The more you watch, the more details you see. Reid is terrific at supporting positioning, subtly moving into pass reception spaces, and using his size to leverage possession. Add soft hands into the mix too.
#2022NHLDraft
Clarke Caswell -
@SCBroncos
Robbed of his first WHL goal last night in his debut. Caswell showed his ability to keep possession, protect the puck, hesitate, and find inside position consistently makes him dangerous already at the WHL level. Fantastic debut.
To put this Manitoba WHL Cup win in perspective, here are their rosters by WHL Drafted round.
Alberta
8 - 1sts
6 - 2nds
3 - 3rds
Manitoba
3 - 1sts
2 - 2nds
3 - 3rds
ICYMI:
@rha_kelowna
defenseman Keaton Verhoeff debuts at
#1
on our preliminary Top-25 2023 WHL Draft ranking followed closely by Noah Kosick. Mathis Preston, Ryan Lin and Jaxon Jacobson round out our top 5.
View the full top-25 and player reports ➡️
🚨 Ranking Release 🚨
Our preliminary Top 25 2023 WHL Draft ranking is now LIVE!
🔗 In this feature, Joel Henderson shares his early thoughts on the 2008-born Western Canadian class and highlights from our top 25. Read it all 👇
Ranked
#5
on our Preliminary Top-25 is
@3Awheatkings
U18 forward Jaxon Jacobson.
It is tough to show the entirety of his strengths in one singular clip. He's smart, adaptive, a terrific puck handler, and is one of the youngest players available for the
#2023WHLDraft
.
Reid Andresen - LHD (2)
@tigershockey
Terrific debut season for the 2005-born Dman. Hard to capture with single clips but he is defensively shifty, active, and sound. Can jump back into the play, fill lanes, outlet passes. Very smart Rookie. Plays bigger than his size.
Going into the 2021-22 WHL year, there are many players who have the potential to skyrocket up lists for the NHL draft.
Guys like
Ryder Thompson - Portland
Rylan Roersma - Brandon
Jace Weir - Red Deer
Jagger Firkus - Moose Jaw
Owen Pickering - Swift Current
Among others.
One of the most consistently dangerous forwards during the Alberta Cup has been Hayden Harsanyi from
@NAXHockey
His edges, turns, adjustments, and puck control are high end which means he's never playing dull hockey.
#2022WHLDraft
Ryder Matter -
@MOBHockey
The Sept 2004 birthday forward is an absolute energy type player. He's found success this year by constantly putting pressure on the forecheck and going hard to the net. He's got 3 goals in 6 games for Fort McMurray in the AJHL this year.
After Day One of the
@USAHockeyNTDP
evaluations, two 2021 WHL-drafted players had solid showings.
Reid Varkonyi was a great two-way forward as far as defensive responsibilities and positioning.
EJ Emery showed his long stride, quality outlet passes, and solid pinches.
Going over the 2004 birthdays from the opening WHL weekend and right off the get go it’s pretty incredible how well RHD Logan McCutcheon played for Lethbridge.
We talk a lot about players who did not get drafted in the 2021WHLDraft.
It is not the end of the journey.
Here's an example of someone who we feel is going to get better and better who didn't hear their name called yesterday.
Spencer Chestolowki -
@saskcontacts
Tristen Doyle - edgework along the blueline.
One of the best puck distributors in the class, he can also open up potential shooting lanes with his diverse edgework techniques. Comes across effortless.
@NAXHockey
#2021WHLDraft
4.5 ⭐️ Michigan commit, Noah Kosick, who was previously committed to the Sherwood Park Crusaders, will play for the USHLs Sioux Falls Stampede this coming season. The ‘08 forward from BC was also a first round pick of the WHLs Calgary Hitmen in 2023.
Your 2024-2025 Stampede Roster. Welcome to Stampede Country!
The team will face off in their first regular season games this weekend at the USHL Fall Classic.
Lots of movement in our 2023 WHL Draft Rankings as we expand to a Top-80 including a number of noteable risers led by Airdrie Xtreme’s Aaron Sawatzky who jumped from 31 to 19.
Full 2023 WHL Draft Ranking ➡️
ICYMI: Last week we concluded our countdown of the top 5 prospect pools in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers coming out on top followed by the Prince Albert Raiders, Vancouver Giants, Spokane Chiefs and Brandon Wheat Kings.
Read it all ➡️
The 13 Defensemen from Western Canada invited to Hockey Canada’s U17 camp include
Harrison Brunicke
Tyson Buczkowski
Hyde Davidson
Tristen Doyle
Charlie Elick
Josh Fluker
Gabriel Guilbault
Marek Howell
Keith McInnis
William McIssac
Colton Roberts
Tarin Smith
Jonas Woo
Cole Reschny - F -
@NAXHockey
U15
One of the top forwards available for the
#2022WHLDraft
. He can score against you off the rush, off the cycle, with give and go plays, or with a quick-strike one timer. Shifty and powerful. Well rounded, active, and smart.
Luca Cagnoni - D -
@pdxwinterhawks
His bread and butter is dependable transition play. He has great edges to evade, puck control to extend wide, and excellent timing on when to pass. He is consistent and very effective.
#2023NHLDraft
Sask First U15 camp
Here are some forwards who stood out
Lee Shurgot
Luke Moroz
Corban Almen
Joby Baumuller
Connor Bear
Kazden Mathies
Eric Han
Koby Bossaer
Liam Bursaw
Parker Rondeau
Steven Steranka
#2022WHLDraft
Clarke Caswell -
@rha_kelowna
High-level mobility. He's able to shift his weight laterally with explosion after reading pressure. Incredible puck control. At all times he is a duel shooting or passing threat.
#2021WHLDraft
Rebels first round pick, 5th overall, Ollie Josephson makes his
@TheWHL
debut tonight with the
@Rebelshockey
. One of the premiere skaters in the draft class with a tremendous two-way game.
ROSTER NEWS: Ollie Josephson, our 1st round pick from last week's WHL Prospects Draft, has been added to our roster as an affiliated player and will make his debut tonight vs. Swift Current
#RDR
#WHL
Lukas Dragicevic -
@TCAmericans
The 4th OA selection from 2020 and 5⭐️
@PuckPreps
prospect has only gotten into 2 games thus far, but his time is coming. A fantastic breakout artist and deceptive passer; able to start or join the rush at a moments notice.
Jackson Smith - (7) -
@edgeschool
U15
He begins the year as our top-rated defensive skater for the
#2022WHLDraft
. A true two-way player. Can jump into the rush, evade pressure, adjust laterally, and defends very well in his own zone. Brings ample physicality.
Markus and Liam Ruck both sit in the top-5 of CSSHL U15 Prep scoring. You certainly will be hard pressed to find better line chemistry than you do from the familiarity of brothers.
#2023WHLDraft
(less than) 48 hours in the life of Miguel Marques:
Thursday: drafted by
@WHLHurricanes
Friday afternoon: signs with
@WHLHurricanes
Friday night, ~16 minutes into his
@WHLHurricanes
career: comes [ ] this close to scoring!
With the 268th-overall selection in the 2022
#WHLDraft
, the
@WHLGiants
select Chloe Primerano of
@BWCAcademy
.
Congratulations to Chloe, the first woman skater chosen in any
@CHLHockey
selection draft!
Saskatchewan defenseman Carsten Kayter commits to Nebraska-Omaha.
@OmahaHKY
He was selected in the 4th round of the 2021 WHL Draft by Victoria and was also selected in the 2nd Rd in the USHL by
@OmahaLancers
Hockey Saskatchewan has released its U16 roster for the 2021 WHL Cup. Noticeable by their absences are Berkly Catton, Roger McQueen and Trae Wilke, all arguably among Saskatchewan’s top 6 forwards and all expected to be high picks at the 2021 WHL Draft.
Daxon Rudolph (4) moved up our ranking last month into the
#8
spot as a high-upside defender for the
#2023WHLDraft
. Here he is completing a rush give-n-go with teammate Owen Chapman.
One 2021 WHL draft eligible player to keep an eye on is Delta U17s Gavin Garland. He was born in the US and should be in the mix for a spot on the US NTDP U17 team. Interesting to see where he lands on draft day as we currently have him as a first round talent.
Thanks in part to possessing the most explosive skating and best shot release in this draft class, Mathis Preston is our
#1
ranked player heading into tomorrow’s 2023 WHL Draft.
Full top-140
#2023WHLDraft
Ranking ➡️
WHL Point Per Game Scoring leaders since Jan 1 from First time 2024 NHL Draft eligible players - Part 1
1.58 - Berkly Catton
1.41 - Terik Parascak
1.33 - Andrew Basha
1.25 - Tanner Howe
1.24 - Tomas Mrsic
1.21 - Tij Iginla
1.12 - Gavin Hodnett
1.10 - Miquel Marques
The Top 10 Selections for the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft are:
1. Prince Albert
2. Prince Albert
3. Spokane
4. Victoria
5. Brandon
6. Vancouver
7. Prince Albert
8. Vancouver
9. Medicine Hat
10. Everett
With the 2021 WHL Draft scheduled for December, this will be the marquee event for the top 2006s to showcase themselves just prior to the draft. Should be some phenomenal hockey.
Landon Dupont debuts at
#1
in our top-20 WHL Draft Rankings!
The potential of Dupont stems from his incredible hockey IQ, quick turn arounds, & his ability to drag pucks & adjust to pressure in a multitude of ways.
Free &🔓article outlining our top-20 ➡️
Rhett Miller -
@OkanaganHockey
U17
Not too sure what the plan is for the late 2005-born forward but he's showing that high-end hockey IQ can lead to some very fun hockey. He currently leads the team with 20 points in 12 games.
Riley Ashe - F -
@warmanbantamaa
A great example of good fundamentals and form which will improve as he gets bigger, stronger, and quicker. In this clip he gains speed through crossovers, weaves through the neutral zone, and protects the puck while attacking.
#2021WHLDraft
2023 WHL Draft Breakdown
First Round
AB - 8 | BC - 7 | SK - 4 | MB - 3
Top-3 Rounds
AB - 30 | BC - 14 | SK - 14 | MB - 8
Full Draft
AB - 93 | BC - 50 | SK - 44 | MB - 38
US - 7
Team Orange vs Blue.
Player of the game: Carson Wetsch I believe who opened the scoring.
Standout players:
Berkly Catton
Carson Wetsch
Keith McInnis
EJ Emery
Jacob Goudreau
Linden Burrett
Matt Lahey
Logan Peskett
Miles Burgin
Team Blue was on the constant attack.
Jordan Martin - D - (12) -
@YHA_Lions
U15
A detailed defender with power to his skating stride. Efficient outlets, quality wrist shot release, and always competing. Jordan joins the play as an off-puck passing option and then eliminates the play defensively.
#2022WHLDraft
The 2022 WHL Draft lottery is complete. No change among the top 6 teams in the lottery so the
@tigershockey
will select 1st overall. Gavin McKenna looks to be the favorite to go 1st overall.
As we turn out sights towards the 2008-born group from Western Canada, we have to begin with the leading scorer from the CSSHL U15
@PacificSeaDevil
Noah Kosick (4). He finished with 96 points in 29 games.
#2023WHLDraft
4⭐️ Jack Kachkowski was committed to Nebraska-Omaha but elects to sign with the Medicine Hat Tigers instead.
Make no mistake, our projection was that Jack would been drafted in the 1st round of the 2022 WHL Draft had he not shown significant NCAA interest.
The Medicine Hat Tigers are proud to announce the signing of '07 defenceman Jack Kachkowski to a WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement.
Welcome to the Orange & Black Jack!
#WHL
#MedHat
#YXH
#CHL
BREAKING 🚨
The Wheat Kings have recalled 21' 4th Overall pick Roger McQueen from the
@stoonblazers
.
The 6'3" centreman will arrive in Brandon later tonight, and is expected to make his
@TheWHL
debut tomorrow vs the
@SCBroncos
!
TICKETS >>
#bdnmb
#whl
Reese Hamilton - D -
@NAXHockey
U15
One of the top defenders in the class brings size, speed, power and puck control. He can slice through zones and fire off heavy wrist shots in stride. The Saskatchewan dman has 54 in 27 games for the top-rated NAX program.
#2022WHLDraft
Team Blue vs Yellow.
G Madden Mulawka got the player of the game nod.
Top performers include:
Clarke Caswell
Berkly Catton
Carson Wetsch
EJ Emery
Keith McInnis
Marek Howell
Jesse Heslop
Charlie Elick
Coehn Massey
Cole Peardon
Connor Frost
Matt Lahey
@PrimeHKY
One player to watch this season is 5⭐️Gracyn Sawchyn. After spending last season with the USNTDP U17 team, he joins
@SeattleTbirds
to find chemistry in his NHL draft eligible season on their loaded roster.
Here he is (59) showing off patience and puck control in small space.
Team Orange vs Gold
Player of the game went to Nathan Free I believe.
Impressive performances by:
Oliver Josephson
Lynden Lakovic
Caleb Hadland
Diego Buttazoni
Linden Burrett
McCarthy Richardson
Ryan Seeley
Corbin Vaughan
Joven Brar
@PrimeHKY
2006-born WHLers - Hot Starts 🔥
Roger McQueen - 4G4A - 3 games
Berkly Catton - 2G4A - 2 games
Caleb Hadland - 2G4A - 2 games
Terik Parascak - 3G2A - 2 games
Oscar Lovsin - 2G2A - 2 games
Miles Cooper - 1G3A - 2 games