{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " 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. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "1. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers, 6'3\", 210 lbs", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "GP: 32 G: 27 A: 19 P: 46" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "2. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs, 5'11\", 170 lbs", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " GP: 47 G: 35 A: 43 P: 70" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "3. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen, 6'3\", 190 lbs", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " GP: 45 G: 23 A: 28 P: 51" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "4. Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna Rockets, 6'0\", 186 lbs", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " GP: 45 G: 34 A: 26 P: 60" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/H9yMpe8K.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Tij Iginla Goal vs Spokane Cheifs, Feb 4, 2024", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/H9yMpe8K-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/H9yMpe8K.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/H9yMpe8K.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-vpqLGvgI.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 117478, "filesize": 440543 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-2SdolxsH.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 527131, "filesize": 2042634, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-JdANDS1a.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 749287, "filesize": 2903490, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-HmRhtIyw.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 958345, "filesize": 3713589, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-SuiRCbIz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 406, "width": 720, "label": "406p", "bitrate": 1104491, "filesize": 4279903, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-9XDUZ1e7.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 1623188, "filesize": 6289854, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-AGH7HEkN.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 2423421, "filesize": 9390758, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H9yMpe8K-AFGyExtQ.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 4779790, "filesize": 18521688, "framerate": 60 } ] } } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "5. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders, 6'0\", 175 lbs", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " GP: 34 G: 13 A: 18 P: 31" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "6-25", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "6. Adam Jecho, Edmonton Oil Kings" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "7. Andrew Basha, Medicine Hat Tigers" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "8. Colton Roberts, Vancouver Giants" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "9. Tanner Howe, Regina Pats" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "10. Charlie Elick, Brandon Wheat Kings" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "11. Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "12. Maximilian Curran, Tri-City Americans" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "13. Ollie Josephson, Red Deer Rebels" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "14. Dawson Cowen, Spokane Chiefs" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "15. Miguel Marques, Lethbridge Hurricanes" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "16. Tarin Smith, Everett Silvertips" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "17. Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "18. Harrison Brunicke, Kamloops Blazers" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "19. Lukas Matecha, Tri-City Americans" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "20. Carson Wetsch, Calgary Hitmen" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "21. Ondrej Becher, Prince George Cougars" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "22. Nate Misskey, Victoria Royals" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "23. Tomas Mrsic, Medicine Hat Tigers" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "24. Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "25. Clarke Caswell, Swift Current Broncos" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "WHL February 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: 6-10" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "WHL February 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: 11-15" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "WHL February 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: 16-20" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "WHL February 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: 21-25" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "2023-24 WHL Award Predictions: End Of January Edition" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Team Canada's 2024 Youth Olympic Games End With Shootout Loss To Finland" } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAyODg1NTQ4NjI3NDY5Mzgw/thumbnail.jpg" }, "caption": "" } } ] }

WHL February 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: 1-5