The 2025 NHL Entry Draft was another success for the WHL. In the end, 33 WHLers heard their names called as they were drafted into the NHL. This includes nine in the first round, which accounts for 28.125% of the picks. 

Overall, the CHL had a great weekend, as 93 total players were drafted into the NHL. The 93 accounts for 41.5% of the entire draft, and was the most prospects selected in over a decade. Here is a look at where the 33 WHLers were drafted in this year's draft. 

First Round (9):

9th Overall: Radim Mrtka – Buffalo Sabres; Seattle Thunderbirds
10th Overall: Roger McQueen – Anaheim Ducks; Brandon Wheat Kings
11th Overall: Benjamin Kindel  – Pittsburgh Penguins; Calgary Hitmen
13th Overall: Carter Bear – Detroit Red Wings; Everett Silvertips
14th Overall: Jackson Smith – Columbus Blue Jackets; Tri-City Americans;
15th Overall: Braeden Cootes – Vancouver Canucks; Seattle Thunderbirds
18th Overall: Cole Reschny – Calgary Flames; Victoria Royals
27th Overall: Lynden Lakovic – Washington Capitals; Moose Jaw Warriors
30th Overall: Joshua Ravensbergen – San Jose Sharks; Prince George Cougars

Round Two (4):

36th Overall: Blake Fiddler – Seattle Kraken; Edmonton Oil Kings
39th Overall: Peyton Kettles – Pittsburgh Penguins; Swift Current Broncos
46th Overall: Max Pšenička – Utah Mammoth; Portland Winterhawks
57th Overall: Matthew Gard – Philadelphia Flyers; Red Deer Rebels

Round Three (6):

66th Overall: Nathan Behm – Chicago Blackhawks; Kamloops Blazers
69th Overall: Hayden Paupanekis – Montreal Canadiens; Kelowna Rockets
81st Overall: Bryce Pickford – Montreal Canadiens; Medicine Hat Tigers
83rd Overall: Tommy Lafreniere – Edmonton Oilers; Kamloops Blazers
92nd Overall: Owen Martin – Winnipeg Jets; Spokane Chiefs
94th Overall: Cameron Schmidt – Dallas Stars; Vancouver Giants

Round Four (5):

117th Overall: David Lewandowski – Edmonton Oilers; Saskatoon Blades
123rd Overall: Carter Klippenstein – Minnesota Wild; Brandon Wheat Kings
126th Overall: Brandon Gorzynski – Dallas Stars; Calgary Hitmen
127th Overall: Aiden Foster – Tampa Bay Lightning; Prince George Cougars
128th Overall: Shea Busch  – Florida Panthers; Everett Silvertips

Round Five (3):

130th Overall: Ryan Miller – Pittsburgh Penguins; Portland Winterhawks
141st Overall: Justin Kipkie – Minnesota Wild; Victoria Royals
157th Overall: Luke Vlooswyk – Philadelphia Flyers; Red Deer Rebels

Round Six (3):

162nd Overall: Ashton Cumby – Chicago Blackhawks; Seattle Thunderbirds
170th Overall: Burke Hood – New York Islanders; Vancouver Giants
186th Overall: Alexander Weiermair – Vegas Golden Knights; Portland Winterhawks

Round Seven (3):

197th Overall: Brendan Dunphy – Florida Panthers; Wenatchee Wild
200th Overall: Brady Turko – Anaheim Ducks; Brandon Wheat Kings
216th Overall: William Sharpe – Los Angeles Kings; Kelowna Rockets

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Vancouver Giants Cameron Schmidt Drafted 94th Overall By The Dallas Stars

Spokane Chiefs Owen Martin Drafted 93rd Overall By The Winnipeg Jets

Kamloops Blazers Tommy Lafreniere Drafted 83rd Overall By The Edmonton Oilers

Medicine Hat Tigers Bryce Pickford Drafted 81th Overall By The Montréal Canadiens

Kelowna Rockets Hayden Paupanekis Drafted 69th Overall By The Montréal Canadiens

The Washington Capitals have selected Lynden Lakovic 18th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old was the eighth WHLer selected and the sixth forward drafted. Listed at 6'4", 190 lbs, Lakovic showed major improvement in his game and has rounded out a lot of his skills.

Although Lakovic missed a chunk of the year due to inury, the career Warrior showed off a 19-point increase in points from the 2023-24 season, despite playing 21 fewer games. The Kelowna product could have a future as a middle-to-top six role in the NHL.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Victoria Royals Cole Reschny Drafted 18th Overall By The Calgary Flames

Tri-City Americans Jackson Smith Drafted 14th Overall By The Columbus Blue Jackets

Everett Silvertips Carter Bear Drafted 13th Overall By The Detroit Red Wings

Calgary Hitmen Ben Kindel Drafted 11th Overall By The Pittsburgh Penguins

Brandon Wheat Kings Roger McQueen Drafted Tenth Overall By The Anaheim Ducks

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is officially here. After years of hard work, many WHLers will have the opportunity to experience their dreams of being drafted into the NHL. In honour of the draft, here are the links to some of the top WHL prospect draft profiles that THN's WHL team have produced over the past month. 

Jackson Smith:

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jackson Smith The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is defenceman Jackson Smith, who plays for the Tri-City Americans. 

Roger McQueen

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Roger McQueenThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Roger McQueen, who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Carter Bear

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Carter BearThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Carter Bear, who plays for the Everett Silvertips.

Lynden Lakovic

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Lynden LakovicThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Lynden Lakovic, who plays for the Moose jaw Warriors.

Cole Reschny

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cole ReschnyThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is center Cole Reschny, who plays for the Victoria Royals.

Blake Fiddler

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Blake FiddlerThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is defenceman Blake Fiddler, who plays for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Radim Mrtka

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Radim MrtkaThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is defenceman Radim Mrtka, who plays for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Ben Kindel

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Ben KindelThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Benjamin Kindel, who plays for the Calgary Hitmen.

Braeden Cootes

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Braeden CootesThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is center Braeden Cootes, who plays for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Matthew Gard

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Matthew GardThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is center Matthew Gard, who plays for the Red Deer Rebels.

Cameron Schmidt

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cameron SchmidtThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is winger Cameron Schmidt, who plays for the Vancouver Giants.

David Lewandowski

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: David LewandowskiThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is David Lewandowski, who plays for the Saskatoon Blades.

Hayden Paupanekis

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Hayden PaupanekisThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Hayden Paupanekis, who plays for the Kelowna Rockets.

Peyton Kettles

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Peyton KettlesThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Peyton Kettles, who plays for the Swift Current Broncos.

Nathan Behm

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Nathan BehmThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Nathan Behm, who plays for the Kamloops Blazers.

Reese Hamilton

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Reese HamiltonThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Reese Hamilton, who plays for the Regina Pats.

Max Pšenička

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Max PšeničkaThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Max Pšenička, who plays for the Portland Winterhawks.

Hayden Harsanyi

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Hayden HarsanyiThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Wrapping up the Eastern portion of this series is Hayden Harsanyi, who plays for the Saskatoon Blades.

Joshua Ravensbergen

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Joshua Ravensbergen The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Joshua Ravensbergen, who plays for the Prince George Cougars. 

Brandon Gorzynski

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Brandon GorzynskiThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Brandon Gorzynski, who plays for the Calgary Hitmen. 

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for June 27 & 28 and can be viewed on Sportsnet/ESPN/ NHL Network

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Reese Hamilton, who plays for the Regina Pats.

Hamilton's biggest strength, without a shadow of a doubt, is his skating. Explosive strides, smooth edgework, the former Calgary Hitmen blueliner has ways to close gaps and push opposing skaters to the outside. Once he gets there, a finished body check is likely on the way and puck possession will change hands.

However, the Pats defender at one point was a top-15 player in the 2025 class. Since the beginning of the season, he has fallen to somehwere in the 125-175 range. As is the case with multiple players in the past, this isn't a death sentence; Hamilton does have the tools to become a solid defender in the NHL, especially with his skating, but the offensive output could use some work.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Nathan Behm

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Peyton Kettles

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Hayden Paupanekis

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: David Lewandowski

Tri-City Americans Jackson Smith Commits To Penn State University

The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is winger Cameron Schmidt, who plays for the Vancouver Giants.

There are few players in this draft as dynamic as Schmidt. Listed at 5'7", 160 lbs, Schmidt lit up the WHL with 40 goals and 78 points in 61 games. He also helped Canada capture Gold at the 2025 U18s, scoring twice and adding two assists in seven games. 

What makes Schmidt a top prospect is his speed. He is already one of the fastest players in the WHL, and can pull highlight reel moves at breakneck speeds. His superb skating also comes in handy in the transition game, as once he builds up momentum, he is extremely hard to catch. 

In the offensive zone, Schmidt is a player who likes to get the puck off his stick quickly. He can beat goaltenders from every angle, and as the season went on, he showed that he can be a reliable playmaker. In the end, it is safe to say Schmidt already has an NHL-calibre shot, which makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft. 

The next step in Schmidt's game will be his play away from the puck. While he has impressive defensive moments, becoming more consistent and involved defensively could help translate into additional offensive chances. If Schmidt can round out his game and add some defensive elements to his toolkit, he will be an even more dynamic player at the pro level.

Schmidt is expected to be a late first-round pick this year. He has the offensive tools that teams covet, while his speed and skating are attributes that organizations love to add to their prospect pools. Ultimately, Schmidt has top-six potential, while his ability on the power play should lead to his name being called on Day 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Matthew Gard

McKenna, Catton & DuPont Capture 2024-25 CHL Awards

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Braeden Cootes

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Ben Kindel

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Radim Mrtka

The Medicine Hat Tigers have a chance to do something that hasn't been done in 11 seasons: Bring a Memorial Cup trophy to the Western Hockey League. However, this isn't their first rodeo. The Tigers won back to back championships in 1987 and 1988, defeating the Oshawa Generals and Windsor Spitfires respectively.

There has been one attempt since then, though it didn't go the way they expected. What happened the last time Medicine Hat made their way to one of junior hockey's biggest stages?

Vancouver, 2007

The Tigers were fresh off a WHL championship win over the Vancouver Giants, a hard-fought seven game series that saw the orange and black come back from a 3-2 series deficit and finish off the Giants in a double overtime thriller. Career Tiger Brennan Bosch scored the eventual winner, sealing Vancouver's fate.

However, Medicine Hat would not get the last laugh.

The 2007 Memorial Cup was hosted in Vancouver, so it was inevitable that the two teams would meet again. In their lone round robin matchup, the Tigers squeaked out a 1-0 victory. Now-former NHL journeymen Derek Dorsett, Kris Russell, and David Schlemko all combined for the game's only goal and Matt Keetley turned aside 29 shots for the shutout.

The Giants ended up pumping the now-defunct Plymouth Whalers by a score of 8-1 in order to secure their spot in the championship game, and they were not going to let the opportunity go to waste. Longtime Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm scored the only goal for the Tigers, but Vancouver ended up with a 39-15 shot advantage and skated their way to a 3-1 win and a Memorial Cup title in their hometown.

Nearly 20 years later, the only piece of that Medicine Hat team that remains? Head coach Willie Desjardins. Surpassing the 500-win mark this season, the former NHL bench boss is ready to take his team to the promised land and secure a championship in Rimouski.

With several NHL-drafted prospects (and several more making their way to the podium in the next couple seasons) the Tigers are primed to do battle with teh powerhouse London Knights, who are coming off repeat OHL championship winning seasons of their own.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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