Despite losing their top two prospects to the NCAA, the WHL is still set to produce a terrific class. Though the departures likely make it harder for the league to repeat its 9 first-round picks from last year, they will likely get close to that number.
Daxon Rudolph (RHD) – Prince Albert Raiders: 46GP 21G 33A 54PTS
Rudolph got out to a slower start to his WHL career than fellow draft eligibles Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels, as he played behind Lukas Dragicevic last season, but he took on a bigger role as the season progressed. This year, hehass taken over as the team’s number one defenceman, munching 25+ minutes a night while helping lead the Raiders to first place in the Eastern Conference. Rudolph has a good frame at just over 6’2”, while having some of the best hockey sense from a defenseman in the class. He has a strong offensive profile as a mobile skater with a strong shot and good vision. Defensively, he holds his own with a strong stick and has been trusted with tough minutes both for Prince Albert and with Team Canada at the U18 level. If Rudolph can improve his physical play, he will be a force to be reckoned with in his own end. He was the first overall pick in the WHL 2008 class, and he has shown why this season.
Ryan Lin (RHD) – Vancouver Giants: 42GP 11G 39A 50PTS
In a loaded class for defensemen, Ryan Lin is the smartest of the pack. Because of this, at age 16, Lin was immediately entrusted with top minutes on a blue line featuring San Jose Sharks prospect Colton Roberts and Giants Captain Mazen Leslie. Lin excelled in his rookie season, finishing only behind Exceptional Status defenceman Landon Dupont in rookie defenceman scoring. His role has only grown in his second season, munching heavy minutes in all situations, while scoring over a point per game. The strength in his games comes in the details. Lin’s head is perpetually up, allowing him to read pressure exceptionally well. Offensively, he will run a power play at the next level with his great vision and improved shot. Despite his size at 5’11”, Lin defends well enough with good compete, a quick stick, and a strong ability to read the play. To become truly elite at the next level, Lin will need to improve his skating, as though it is not a negative, it will need to become a positive with his stature. If everything pans out, he could be elite offensively like Adam Fox, but he, too, will have the same concerns that kept Fox off the USA’s Olympic roster as a smaller defenceman who is not the strongest. It will be interesting to see how teams value his skill set in such a deep defensive draft.
Carson Carels (LHD) – Prince George Cougars: 37GP 12G 28A 40PTS
Carson Carels has turned heads this season, as he continues his meteoric rise to the top of draft boards. The 17-year-old defenceman made headlines this season when he accomplished the rare feat of being selected to Team Canada’s World Juniors Roster as an underager. It is easy to see why Canada trusted him, as Carels has been one of the WHL’s top minutes munchers, playing nearly 25 minutes a night as a rookie, before pushing closer to 30 per game this season. Carels’ game is all about reliability and hockey IQ. Defensively, he plays well physically for his age and is strong at closeouts. His offensive game will not wow you, but he has the tools and traits to be a top-four NHL defenceman. Carels has a powerful stride, while also being able to maneuver the line effectively. Though he likely will not run a team’s top power play unit, he has shown his ability to produce up a man in junior, with his booming clapper and solid playmaking. He does not have the highest offensive ceiling among CHL draft-eligible defencemen, but his steady two-way play gives him a very projectable floor.
JP Hurlbert (W/C) – Kamloops Blazers: 46GP 31G 41A 72PTS
The former USNTDP standout jumped ship to the WHL this season and has had far and away the most productive draft season by any CHL prospect in 2025-2026. His 72 points not only lead all first-year, draft-eligible skaters, but they only trail Philippe Veilleux’s 74 points for the second most in the entire CHL. Hurlbert is one of the most creative players with the puck on his stick this class, with flashy skills to deke around defenders and great vision to set up teammates. He is a threat to score from anywhere in the zone with an NHL-grade shot, and has great IQ to get into scoring positions. In the past, Hurlbert has had some competitiveness knocks, but this season, he has shown an improved motor, earning an “A” in his first season with the Blazers. The concerns with Hurlbert lie in his frame and skating. At just under 6 feet, it may be hard for Hurlbert to make an impact at the NHL level without dynamic skating. The counterargument to this point is Ben Kindel, who was not viewed as an exceptional skater at the same size in last year’s draft, but has already made a strong impact at the NHL level for the Penguins. What Hurlbert does have, exceptional hockey sense and individual skill, is something that Kindel also possessed, and is something that you cannot teach. The right NHL team can help fix Hurlbert’s stride, but no team can teach a player to see the game the way Hurlbert does. He will further his development more at Michigan next season, which has an exceptional track record of graduating NHL stars. If Hurlbert falls to the right team, he could be a potential steal.
Mathis Preston (RW) – Vancouver Giants: 38GP 15G 20A 35PTS
It has been a tougher start to the season than Preston likely expected, but his talent remains among the top of the class. After finishing 4th in true rookie scoring last season in a smaller role on a loaded Spokane Chiefs team, Preston was expected to explode offensively in his draft season, but that breakout is yet to come. However, it is important to take the situation into account, as the Chiefs saw graduations of their top 5 leading scorers from their 2025 Western Conference Championship run. In a class with few projected stars up front, Preston is one of the best individual creators. He is a fast skater with a quick release and a tendency to drive play to the middle. His numbers improved after the Chiefs’ addition of Logan Wormald, and Preston looked exceptional to start his tenure with the Vancouver Giants before going down with injury after two games. The former WHL 3rd overall pick has shown a tendency to rise to the occasion in big moments, leading the U17s in goals and being one of Canada’s top skaters at the CHL vs USA Prospects showcase. Hopefully, Preston will be able to make a quick and full recovery from his injury and continue to break out for the Giants.
Liam Ruck (RW) – Medicine Hat Tigers: 47GP 28G 38A 66PTS
Alongside his twin brother Markus and the star defensive duo of Jonas Woo and Bryce Pickford, Liam has helped the Medicine Hat Tigers remain serious contenders, even after the departures of Gavin McKenna, Ryder Ritchie, Cayden Lindstrom, and countless others. Of the twins, Liam plays a more balanced offensive game, with a good release and a willingness to rip the puck. He also skates well and has a knack for finding scoring areas. Liam earned his coach’s trust with his relentless effort and willingness to go to the dirty areas. He likely will not be a star scorer at the next level, but with proper development, he could be a thorn in opposing teams’ sides from the bottom six.
Markus Ruck (C) – Medicine Hat Tigers: 47GP 12G 53A 65PTS
Markus is much more of a pass-first player compared to his twin brother, but he does a lot of the same things well. While neither of the brothers have great size, their motor and grit help them play bigger than their frame. While Markus is not as much of a threat to score on his own, he has been an exceptional playmaker this season, currently leading the WHL in assists. With the duo being projected as 2nd round level prospects, we could see a team elect to select both brothers, allowing them to continue to develop together.
Chase Harrington (LW) – Spokane Chiefs: 44GP 17G 23A 40PTS
Chase Harrington is a skilled winger who has rounded out his game this season. After cracking the 50-point mark in his pre-draft season as a more offensive-minded scorer, Harrington has improved his physicality and played with more edge in 2025-2026. He still flashes his high-end and NHL-calibre shot from time to time, including a lightning-fast snipe this past week, but has struggled to produce consistently during his time in the WHL. Like Preston, it is important to factor in his supporting cast, and he has played better of late with 5 points in his last 5 games and 9 in his last 10. If he can continue to find ways to impact the game physically when he is not scoring, he could be an effective middle-sixer.
Jakub Vanecek (LHD) – Tri City Americans: 36GP 10G 15A 25PTS
Jakub Vanecek is a strong-skating, two-way defenceman who has earned a big role as a rookie for the Tri-City Americans. The 6’2” defenceman currently leads the team in goals and points from a defenceman, courtesy of his booming slapshot. Though he is certainly a step down offensively from the top defenders in the class, he has enough puck skills that it will not be a concern at the next level. His mobility allows him to defend well, helping earn him a selection to Czechia’s World Junior team as an underager, where he served as an extra defenceman. Though he is not the flashiest defender in the world, he has the tools to develop into a reliable depth guy.
Cooper Williams (C) – Saskatoon Blades: 45GP 16G 23A 39PTS
Williams started the season ranked higher after leading all true rookies in scoring last season with 57 points in 68. Like Preston, many expected Williams to take a step forward this season, and while that has not happened, he has maintained his steady production from 2025. Williams has solid skills, but is light for his height as a centerman, and will need to strengthen up for the next level. Luckily, Williams will continue his development at the University of North Dakota in the future, where Keaton Verhoeff, Cole Reschny, and Will Zellers have taken steps forward.
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