2024 NHL Draft player profile: Berkly Catton, Spokane Chiefs

Slews of pre-draft scouting reports praise Berkly Catton’s skill in tight areas and a wicked shot- and they’re right.

The centreman ripped up the WHL in his second full major junior season and has become a regular fixture on Canada’s national teams thanks to his puckhandling and quick boots.

However, the top 2024 NHL Draft prospect believes his best tool is his brain.

“When I have the puck I see the ice well and I make the players around me better,” Catton, who was selected first overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, said. “I’d probably say my vision and the way I think the game would be the strongest thing.”

NHL Central Scouting has tagged Catton eighth among North American Skaters in the agency’s final rankings ahead of this month’s draft.

The WHL Player of the Year nominee is coming off a monster season that saw him pot a career-best 54 goals and 62 assists for 116 points in 68 games.

Catton is one of three WHL players to exceed 110 points and one of five to score 50 or more goals this past season.

Spokane Chiefs General Manager Matt Bardsley is impressed with the 5-foot-10 centreman’s ability to make an impact in all situations on the ice- particularly on the penalty kill.

“If you have someone on the ice with the offensive abilities of someone like Berkly, he can attack the offence and create two-on-ones and breakaways,” Bardsley explained. “I think with Berkly taking more ownership on the PK this year it’s led to some really good offensive chances and him leading the league in shorthanded goals this season.

“He can distribute the puck. He can find seams, but I think an area he’s really improved is his shot. The velocity and accuracy of his shot. I think it just makes him even more of a dangerous player.”

Indeed, Catton’s seven shorthanded markers led the WHL this season and tied for second-most across the entire Canadian Hockey League.

The Saskatoon, Sask. product also recorded two point streaks lasting 10 games or more in 2023-24, netting 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 13 games from December 2, 2023, to January 9, 2024, and adding 15 goals and 13 assists for 28 points in 14 games from February 4, 2024, to March 5, 2024.

On the international stage, Catton dazzled as he captained Canada to a gold medal finish at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

He led the tournament in scoring with eight goals and two assists in 10 games, finding the back in net in every game and coming one goal shy of the tournament record.

Not bad, considering Catton has also been juggling countless interviews and playing under the intense spotlight that comes with being a highly-touted NHL prospect.

The 18-year-old hasn’t been overthinking his play and has leaned on fellow WHLers to navigate the process.

“The ups and the downs are going to happen,” Catton shrugged. “It’s kind of about embracing it. A bad game will happen or a good game will happen. It’s been a really cool learning experience for me for sure.

“Kevin Korchinski (Chicago) and Brayden Yager (Pittsburgh), all these guys who have gone through it from my hometown as well, never short of people to talk to you if I have a question.”

The high-pressure season has also come with its light moments.

Catton is particularly close with his linemate and billet brother Conner Roulette.

The pair tried to learn to play guitar this season- their teammates are still waiting on a concert- and watched piles of classic movies, always sure to share a ‘Movie Review with Berks and Rou’ on the bus afterward.

But the real show is still on the ice and in the gym.

Catton is participating in this week’s NHL draft combine, taking advantage of a final opportunity to get face time with NHL brass and impress in fitness testing.

Then, it’s just a matter of waiting to see who calls his name at the NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Nev. on June 28.