With day one of the 2025 WHL Bantam draft in the books, it's time to take a look at the top 10 selections and see how well they fit with their new teams. Of the picks, three were listed as RD along with six centers and one LD.
#1- Maddox Schultz, Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA (Regina Pats)
The runaway number one pick especially once it was found out who would be selecting him, Schultz looks to kickstart a Pats rebuild in Regina. The hometown kid put up 43 goals and 50 assists through 44 regular season games, and another 22 points in 10 playoff games. Schultz is a highly skilled forward that can play anywhere, and will take his team far if he's called upon.
#2-Holden Wouters, St. George's U15 Prep (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Edmonton went for size in round one, as Wouters stands in at 6'4" but do not let that fool you. The Vancouver native is still mobile, and likes to use his reach to keep himself in plays. In 29 regular season games, the blueliner tallied 29 assists and added 12 goals for St. George's while not turning 15 until early December. Plenty of growth available for an already big player.
#3- Liam Pue, Langley Hockey Academy U18 (Regina Pats)
The other big ticket item in this year's draft, Pue was projected to go right behind his peer in Schultz. Instead, the Pats trade up with the Kelowna Rockets and lock up their dynamic one-two punch for the forseeable future. Pue put up an even 50 points in 29 games with the JPHL this season, and has proven to be a major goalscorer.
#4- Thor Liffiton, Calgary Northstars U15 (Penticton Vees)
One of the coolest sounding names of the draft aside, Liffiton is another mobile defender that can jump in on the rush when needed but is often the one setting it up. The Cleveland, OH native got four games with the Northstars U18 club, but mostly known for his 38 points in 32 games at the U15 level.
#5- Reid Nicol, Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA (Everett Silvertips)
After lighting the U15 circuit on fire two seasons ago, Nicol moved up to U18 for 2024-25 and posted a very respectable 35 goals along with 23 assists in 48 games. Also on the bigger side, the Brandon product stands at 6'1" and 185 lbs so he will be a very welcome addition to the Silvertips' forward group.
#6- Louis Oscar Holowaychuk, St. George's U15 Prep (Vancouver Giants)
Perhaps one of the most exciting non-premier names of the draft, Holowaychuk is easily one of the quickest (and smallest) out of the remaining field. A diminutive stature of 5'5.5", the North Vancouver product can get around almost any player on the ice and has a lethal shot to go with it. A note to Giants fans that have gotten familiar with Cameron Schmidt: This player may not be quite as fast, but equally as slippery and a name to look forward to.
#7- Nolan Wolitski, NAX U15 Prep (Red Deer Rebels)
While not the NAX defender that some expected to go first, Wolitski knows how to put up points. Finding himself 48 points in 29 games with NAX, the Raleigh, NC product got two games of experience with the U18 club as well. Nolan's two brothers, Connor and Kaden both have a background in high level hockey with the former spending time with the AJHL's Drayton Valley Thunder.
#8- Christopher Kokkoris, Yale U15 Prep (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Continuing to draft on the bigger side, Kokkoris comes from Yale holding a 6'6" frame and while just 176 lbs, can fill out later. Scoring just four goals last season, Kokkoris is not known for his offensive touch but he did collect 33 assists in 34 games with his U15 club. The Langley native is a welcome addition to the Oil Kings' blue line, as they seem to be going in a much larger direction on the back end.
#9- Ben Oliverio, Calgary Northstars U15 (Tri-City Americans)
Perhaps and underlooked producer, Oliverio lit up the AEHL this past season with 77 points in just 28 games with the Northstars as well as 31 points in 10 playoff contests. With 37 of those points being goals, it's safe to say that the Calgary kid has a nose for the net and will put the puck there if given an opportunity.
#10- Kalen Miles, NAX U15 Prep (Wenatchee Wild)
The second NAX skater off the board, Miles is a 6'1" forward that has a great one-timer and is not afraid to play the body. One of the standouts for NAX at the 2025 John Reid Memorial tournament, Miles posted eight goals and three assists in just six games en route to a first place finish. Wenatchee fans will quickly be endeared to his play style and Miles can become a fan favorite sooner rather than later.
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