With the beginning of the 2024-2025 season in the Western Hockey League, there are a lot of storylines to watch. One of the main storylines I like to follow is players who are eligible for the 2024-2025 NHL Draft. Let’s look at some of the top prospects from the WHL this season eligible for the draft.
Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
2023/24 Stats: 53 GP, 21G-30A-51P
McQueen is likely to be the highest-drafted WHL player this season and could see himself drafted within the first five picks in the draft. McQueen is a skilled forward who has great puck control. His tenacity is also something that has helped him be an effective part of the Wheat Kings’ roster. Standing tall at 6’5″, McQueen can use his strength and size to win battles. Keep an eye on McQueen this season as he continues to level up his game. McQueen has started the season off strong, with four goals in his first game of the season.
Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals
2023/24 Stats: 61 GP, 21G-38A-59P
Cole Reschny is another exciting forward eligible for the upcoming 2025 NHL draft. Reschny is a playmaking forward whose hockey IQ helps him get into smart positions to set up a play or send pucks to danger areas. At 5’9″, he will have to continue to play a smart game, but he has a lot of the tools that a young skilled forward needs to be effective in the WHL (which he has been), and a lot of his IQ should translate at a higher level of play. Reschny will continue to grow this season as he looks to do what he accomplishes best, setting up plays for his teammates and sometimes himself.
Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans
2023/24 Stats: 62 GP, 8G-21A-29P
Jackson Smith is currently one of the highest-ranked WHL defensemen eligible for this year’s NHL Draft. Smith Is 6’3″ and was a part of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal-winning team this past August. Smith looks like a strong physical defenseman whose defensive game seems to be growing, but he also seems to have bursts of offence.
Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors
2023/24 Stats: 68 GP, 18G-21A-39P
Lynden Lakovic was a big part of the Warriors’ season last year and helped the team win the WHL, sending the team to the finals in overtime with a goal. Lakovic is a 6’4″ power forward who uses his size to his advantage. Lakovic has a solid shot, but he also has solid vision as well. He will look to continue his growth this season.
Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars
2023/24 Stats: 38 GP, 2.46 GAA, .907 SV%
Joshua Ravensbergen is the most exciting draft-eligible goaltender in the WHL and maybe even the whole draft. Ravensbergen stands tall at 6’4″, but it’s his poise that is the most intriguing. He stays calm but quickly moves between the pipes which helps him get into place for high danger chances against. He is a crucial part of the Prince George Cougars and performed phenomenally in the playoff last season. His momentum has been building, and whichever team drafts him will get a solid goaltending prospect.
Jordan Gavin, C/LW, Tri-City Americans
2023/24 Stats: 68 GP, 23G-45A-68P
Jordan Gavin is an exciting forward from Surrey, BC. Surrey’s vision and passing have led him to become one of the important parts of the American lineup. Gavin is one of the older draft-eligible players of this year’s draft class and will look to use this season to help his team and push his draft stock up.
Thank you for taking the time to read this 2025 NHL Draft WHL piece. For more content on draft-eligible players, be sure to keep an eye on the Inside the Rink website.
