The WHL boasts a plethora of towering forwards and defenders, but TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button holds plenty of smaller skilled players in high regard in his latest 2025 NHL Draft Rankings.
Button has 13 WHLers in his top 60, headlined by projected top-five selection Roger McQueen (Saskatoon, Sask. / Brandon Wheat Kings).
The 6-foot-5 centreman recently made his return to the Wheat Kings’ lineup after missing a portion of the season with an injury.
“He’s not a wild card because of his skill or his potential. He’s a wild card because of that type of injury,” Button explained. “You’re looking at a 6-foot-5 centreman that’s got really silky smooth skills. Certainly, in the playoffs for the Brandon Wheat Kings, scouts will be watching closely, but this is a real top-notch player.”
McQueen potted four goals on the opening night of the season and has two goals and seven assists since making a comeback.
The list also sees speedy winger Cameron Schmidt (Prince George, B.C. / Vancouver Giants) shoot into the top 10 after bagging 40 goals for the first time in his WHL career.
In January, NHL Central Scouting listed Schmidt at 30th among North American skaters in its midterm rankings, as did TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Button also offered up praise for two-way forward Cole Reschny (Macklin, Sask. / Victoria Royals), who recently helped Victoria clinch the B.C. Division title heading into the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.
“Exceptional hockey sense for both of them,” said Button of Reschny and reigning OHL Rookie of the Year Jake O’Brien. “We talk about 200-foot players. We talk about situational players that can excel no matter what situation you put them in. Well, that speaks to Jake, that speaks to Cole. They were excellent 16-year-olds in their respective leagues, and they have taken it up a level where now they’re top players in their respective leagues.”
Following some skilled forwards, Button predicts a run of talented defencemen, highlighted by Jackson Smith (Calgary, Alta. / Tri-City Americans), Radim Mrtka (Havlickuv, Cze. / Seattle Thunderbirds) and the OHL’s Cameron Reid and Kashawn Aitcheson.
“All very, very different defensemen, but make no mistake about it, they all bring qualities, unique abilities that can help your blue line,” Button added. “Big minute guys, size, skating…Some a little bit more offence than others, but when you look at that quartet of defencemen, you’re looking at a group that has all the qualities to be top pair, at the very least, number three, defencemen in the National Hockey League.”
Another surprise riser is Calgary Hitmen centreman Brandon Gorzynski, who Button has placed at 60th overall.
The Scottsdale, Ariz. product was pegged at 80th in the NHL Central Scouting list.
The 2025 NHL Draft will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Calif. on June 27 and 28, 2025, the NHL announced in February.
WHLers on Craig’s List: March 25, 2025
| Rank | Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| 5 | McQueen | Roger | Brandon | Saskatoon, Sask. | 6’5.25 | 197 | C |
| 8 | Schmidt | Cameron | Vancouver | Prince George, B.C. | 5’7.25 | 161 | RW |
| 11 | Reschny | Cole | Victoria | Macklin, Sask. | 5.10.5 | 183 | C |
| 14 | Smith | Jackson | Tri-City | Calgary, Alta. | 6’3.25 | 195 | D |
| 15 | Mrtka | Radim | Seattle | Havlickuv, Cze. | 6’5.75 | 207 | D |
| 19 | Ravensbergen | Joshua | Prince George | North Vancouver, B.C | 6’5.25 | 190 | G |
| 21 | Kindel | Ben | Calgary | Coquitlam, B.C. | 5’10 | 176 | C |
| 22 | Bear | Carter | Everett | West St. Paul, Man. | 6’0 | 179 | LW |
| 23 | Lakovic | Lynden | Moose Jaw | West Kelowna, B.C. | 6’4.25 | 190 | LW |
| 34 | Fiddler | Blake | Edmonton | Frisco, Tex. | 6’4 | 209 | D |
| 35 | Behm | Nathan | Kamloops | Calgary, Alta. | 6’1.5 | 192 | RW |
| 38 | Cootes | Braeden | Seattle | Sherwood Park, Alta. | 6’3 | 201 | C |
| 60 | Gorzynski | Brandon | Calgary | Scottsdale, Ariz. | 6’1.5 | 185 | C |
