WHL February 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: 1-5

Ranking 1 through 5 of the WHL's top prospects ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Photo by Jenn Pierce/WHL - WHL February 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: 1-5

Welcome to this edition of the WHL's mid-term NHL draft rankings. This five-part series breaks down the top 25 WHLers eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft. Here is a look at prospects one through five.

1. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers, 6'3", 210 lbs

GP: 32 G: 27 A: 19 P: 46

A potential lottery pick, Cayden Lindstrom, is everything teams look for in a prospect. He has excellent size and can affect the game at both ends of the ice. Currently out with an upper-body injury that required surgery, he should solidify his spot as a top-five candidate for this year's draft with a dominant playoff run.

2. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs, 5'11", 170 lbs

GP: 47 G: 35 A: 43 P: 70

Berkly Catton is a player who leads by example. He is an excellent skater who can create offensive chances through both his high-end playmaking and his dangerous shot. Based on his development over the past two seasons, whichever team drafts him could get a top-six, two-way center who could be part of a leadership group early in his career.

3. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen, 6'3", 190 lbs

GP: 45 G: 23 A: 28 P: 51

The top WHL defenceman in this year's draft is Calgary Hitmen's Carter Yakemchuk. He loves to join the rush and plays like a rover in the offensive zone. If he can continue to develop his overall game, he has the potential to be a top-unit power-play quarterback at the NHL level.

4. Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna Rockets, 6'0", 186 lbs

GP: 45 G: 34 A: 26 P: 60

Tij Iginla is showing that a change of scenery can sometimes unlock a player's potential. A highly skilled forward who loves to shoot the puck, he is thriving in a top six-role with Kelowna Rockets. Team White's MVP at this year's CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, he could become the first Rockets player since Justin Keller in 2005-06 to score 50 goals in a season.

Tij Iginla Goal vs Spokane Cheifs, Feb 4, 2024

5. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders, 6'0", 175 lbs

GP: 34 G: 13 A: 18 P: 31

Few wingers in the WHL are as dangerous as Ryder Ritchie. He is an excellent playmaker with a terrific shot that can beat goaltenders from any angle. Out with a lower-body injury since mid-December, the biggest question now is whether he can return to his dominating form once he is medically cleared to rejoin the Prince Albert Raiders lineup.