NHL Prospect Watch: Chicago Blackhawks

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL’s criteria for rookie status.

Let’s meet some of the up-and-comers aiming to join Regina Pats legend and 2023 first-overall pick Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nathan Behm

Six-foot-2, 208-pound winger Nathan Behm erupted for 38 goals (highlighted by five game-winners, a hat trick and seven multi-goal outings) and 48 assists for 86 points in 67 regular-season games. The Calgarian finished second on Kamloops in points, second in assists and third in goals to help the Blazers return to the WHL postseason. This marks the second-straight campaign that has seen Behm surpass the 30-goal threshold and average more than a point per game. The 19-year-old was selected by Chicago with the 66th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft and owns 184 points (81G-103) in 200 regular season matches across parts of four seasons with the Blazers.

Ashton Cumby

Bonnyville, Alta.’s Ashton Cumby reigns as one of the toughest customers in the WHL. The 6-foot-5, 216-pound Seattle Thunderbirds defender enjoyed his best offensive season yet with four tallies and 13 assists for 17 points, a +13 rating and 92 penalty minutes in 59 matches. Cumby was drafted with the 162nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 Draft as an overager. Now 21, Cumby graduates from major junior with 36 points (6G-30A) and 361 penalty minutes in 256 games across parts of five seasons with the Winnipeg ICE/Wenatchee Wild organization and the T-Birds. He’ll make the jump to the pro ranks with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, having signed a two-year AHL contract with the club in late May.