2025 NHL Draft profile: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars

Could Joshua Ravensbergen go from being passed over in the WHL Prospects Draft to a first-round selection in the NHL Draft?

It’s certainly a possibility.

NHL Central Scouting has ranked the Prince George Cougars star as the top North American goaltender in the agency’s final rankings ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, with the potential to be the first goalie chosen in the first round since 2022 WHL Champion Sebastian Cossa (Detroit Red Wings) and Swedish netminder Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota Wild) in 2021.

The hype is real for the 2025 WHL Goaltender of the Year finalist- but Ravensbergen knows better than anyone that Drafts are simply a jumping off point.

“I was really pissed off when I didn’t see my name called on the (WHL) draft day,” Ravensbergen admitted. “I kind of used that as motivation. I really, really wanted to play in the league. I remember watching the Vancouver Giants when I was younger, and I still really wanted to play, so I didn’t lose hope, and it kind of lit a fire in me. I’d say, had a couple of really big summers. I was on the ice as much as I could, skating, working out a consistent program, and I feel like that really helped me to get to where I am today.”

The Ravensbergen revenge tour saw the 6-foot-5, 192-pound netminder link up with the Cougars and promptly bag four shutouts in his first nine appearances in 2023-24.

While his astronomical rookie numbers have started to come back down to earth after an increased workload in his first full campaign as a starter, the Cats staff believes his technical abilities have actually improved, dialing down the flash in favour of tweaking his positioning to cut down on rebounds and save energy.

“He was making a lot of big saves in his first year, and it was really fun to watch,” Cougars Goaltender Coach Taylor Dakers said. “The fans sure loved it, and he was able to do it consistently- more consistently than most goalies would if they put themselves in the same position… He has the quickness that he has and the desire to win, the competitiveness and the the smarts and the awareness that not a lot of kids have in a single package. So just trying to make the adjustments to get him a little bit more consistent without burning so many calories and not being on the edge of ripping muscles every save. He’s done that very well. It’s got its challenges, but he’s done that well, and it’s kind of primed him for the next few years of his career.

That’s not to say the highlight-reel stops have dried up- after all, Ravensbergen does love a good poke check.

The 18-year-old went 33-13-3-1 in the regular season with a 3.00 goals-against average and a.901 save percentage, tying for second in wins, fourth in minutes played and sixth in shots and saves.

HOLY MACKEREL, RAVENSBERGEN@PGCougars | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/qMu4fd90fF

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 27, 2025

He was one of only five netminders to play more than 50 games while facing an average of 29 shots a game.

The North Vancouver, B.C. product was a finalist for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy for WHL Goaltender of the Year and was also named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team in the spring.

“I feel like I read the play really well,” Ravensbergen added. “I’d say I can use my size to my advantage. I know how to use it, and I feel like my skating is really good for my height, too. It’s something that I’ve worked a lot on. I feel like I’m able to get to pucks and give myself every chance to make a save.

I want to get better. I want to win. I want to win for the guys. I’d say that’s something that’s helped me get to this level, and hopefully helps me have a long career in the game of hockey. I’m just really excited to see where I go and get started with whatever team calls my name.”

Ravensbergen attended Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase ahead of the regular season and snagged an invite to the first-ever CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada in November, where he made 15 saves and recorded an assist in a 6-1 win over the United States National Team Development Program.

He also met with 26 NHL teams at the 2025 NHL Combine in Buffalo, N.Y.

“Progress, progress, progress,” TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button said. “You’re looking for goaltenders that just can have a command in the net- and in my view, Joshua projects as a number one starting goaltender in the NHL all day long. Whether he gets there at 22 or 23 (years old), it doesn’t matter. It depends on building your game and building it steadily, so that when you do get to the NHL, you’ve got the fundamentals and the foundation well in place.”

The 2025 NHL Draft will run from June 27-28 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California.