WHL Stars of Tomorrow – U18 Prospects – February 14, 2024

The WHL Stars of Tomorrow series highlights the biggest and brightest prospects on the cusp of becoming household names in the Western Hockey League.

Each week, four of the WHL’s top U18 prospects will be featured with reports from league and team representatives.

The series will also give an update on 18 additional prospects as they navigate their 15- and 16-year-old seasons. 

 

KEATON VERHOEFF – DEFENCE – 2023 1ST ROUND PICK (4TH OVERALL)
RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 (CSSHL U18)
18 Games – 5 Goals – 18 Assists – 23 Points

Keaton Verhoeff caps off Canada's third goal in 43-seconds in the Bronze Medal game vs. Finland@RHA_Kelowna | @VictoriaRoyals pic.twitter.com/SM5xHMdrBe

— CSSHL (@CSSHL) January 31, 2024

“Keaton is a skilled defenceman who is a great defender and is very effective at both ends of the ice.  He has the ability to move pucks and be creative offensively and still be very reliable in his own zone. He is a competitive person and someone we expect will grow into a leadership role throughout his time in Victoria.”

– Jake Heisinger (Victoria Royals Associate General Manager)

“Keaton is a smooth skating, two-way defenceman with great size. He is rangy and athletic with a lot of upside considering how well he already moves for a big player. Keaton is skilled with the puck and is able to generate chances for his team by jumping into rushes or controlling the puck on the blueline. He uses his long reach to take away time and space when defending the rush and defensive zone. Keaton’s combination of defensive and offensive abilities should transition nicely to the WHL level.” 

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

GRIFFIN DARBY – DEFENCE – 2023 1ST ROUND PICK (17TH OVERALL)
Swift Current Legionnaires U18 (SMAAAHL)
34 Games – 2 Goals – 21 Assists – 23 Points

When you get drafted to the same team as your older brother 🥹

What a moment for Griffin and Hudson Darby! pic.twitter.com/1a3c1dwKxV

— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) May 11, 2023

“Griffin is a very driven player who is pushing his game forward every day. His exceptional skating will translate to offensive success as a fulltime player with the Winterhawks. His decision making and ability to transition the puck are exciting features of his game, and as he adds strength, we should expect to see a solid two way defender who can play in every game situation. Like his brother Hudson, he has natural leadership qualities that will be important for future Winterhawks success.“ 

– Mike Coflin (Portland Winterhawks Director of Scouting)

“Griffin is a mobile defender with great two-way sense. His biggest strength is his skating, with a smooth stride that makes him a dangerous player in transition. Griffin sees the ice well, consistently breaking pucks out cleanly to his forwards from the d-zone. Griffin will be able to contribute to a variety of aspects of the game going forward for the Portland Winterhawks.”

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

BECKETT HAMILTON – FORWARD – 2023 1ST ROUND PICK (18TH OVERALL)
Warman Wildcats U18 AAA (SMAAAHL)
39 Games – 19 Goals – 31 Assists – 50 Points

“Beckett is a fast twitch offensive player who is a dual threat while being able to score with his big shot and see the ice to be a playmaker. He has proven this offensive prowess leading his team last season in playoff scoring en route to a league championship and has continued his strong offensive production this year for the Warman Wildcats. He is a smart player who keeps developing and we’re excited about his potential to break open a game.”

– Shaun Sutter (Red Deer Rebels Assistant General Manager)

“Beckett is a dangerous offensive player, already eclipsing the 50 point mark for Warman this season. He is quick in transition and is able to turn seemingly normal zone entries into offensive chances with a lot of pace and purpose. Beckett likes to have the puck on his stick and is an equal threat to pass or shoot, with great vision and a quick release on his shot.” 

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

ZACH OLSEN – FORWARD – 2023 2ND ROUND PICK (29TH OVERALL)

Edge School U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)
21 Games – 7 Goals – 10 Assists – 17 Points

“He’s your prototypical two-way centerman who is reliable in every situation. He’s a big body who skates extremely well and competes relentlessly on both the offensive and defensive sides of the puck. His development over the past couple of seasons has been constant and significant and is continuing this season as a big part of a very strong Edge U18 Prep team. Zach stands out off the ice with elite leadership and a burning drive for improvement and success. He’s a guy we know will be a huge part of our team and community in the near future.”

– Dan Tencer (Saskatoon Blades Director of Scouting)

“Zach has had an excellent season on a dominant Edge U18 team so far this year. Zach has high hockey IQ and profiles as an intelligent two-way center with good size and skill. His game is adaptable and he is able to play in all situations, specifically developing this season with his play away from the puck. Zach will be key piece to a young Saskatoon core that will look to carry on the Club’s recent run of successful seasons.”

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

NIGEL BOEHM – DEFENCE – 2023 2ND ROUND PICK (28TH OVERALL)
Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA (SMAAAHL)
38 Games – 0 Goals – 5 Assists – 5 Points

 

KOY FUNK – FORWARD – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (77TH OVERALL)
RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg U18 (CSSHL U18)
26 Games – 15 Goals – 17 Assists – 32 Points

 

MATT WILLIAMS – FORWARD – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (79TH OVERALL)
Leduc Oil Kings U18 AAA (AEHL U18)
32 Games – 5 Goals – 10 Assists – 15 Points

 

LUKAS LIMA – FORWARD – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (86TH OVERALL)
Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL U17)
25 Games – 17 Goals – 16 Assists – 33 Points

 

ISA GURAM – DEFENCE – 2022 4TH ROUND PICK (85TH OVERALL)
Delta Hockey Academy U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)
27 Games – 2 Goals – 15 Assists – 17 Points

 

NATHAN KAM – GOALTENDER – 2022 5TH ROUND PICK (103RD OVERALL)
Yale Hockey Academy U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)
9 Games – 2.04 GAA – .930 SV%

 

WILLIAM SCOTT – DEFENCE – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (73RD OVERALL)
Okanagan HA U17 Prep (CSSHL U17)
29 Games – 6 Goals – 18 Assists – 24 Points

 

JORDAN SWITZER – GOALTENDER – 2022 6TH ROUND PICK (111TH OVERALL)
Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)
15 Games – 2.99 GAA – .904 SV%

 

WILLIAM DEGAGNE – DEFENCE – 2023 2ND ROUND PICK (38TH OVERALL)
Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA (SMAAAHL)
29 Games – 3 Goals – 5 Assists – 8 Points

 

STEELE BASS – GOALTENDER – 2023 3RD ROUND PICK (49TH OVERALL)
RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 (CSSHL U18)
12 Games – 3.28 GAA – .886 SV%

 

PATRICK SOPIARZ – FORWARD – 2023 3RD ROUND PICK (63RD OVERALL)
OHA Edmonton U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)
23 Games – 6 Goals – 17 Assists – 23 Points

 

BRAYDEN SMITH – DEFENCE – 2022 3RD ROUND PICK (53RD OVERALL)
Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA (SMAAAHL)
34 Games – 8 Goals – 30 Assists – 38 Points

 

JAXSON PAWLENCHUK – DEFENCE – 2022 12TH ROUND PICK (258TH OVERALL)
HC Edmonton U18 (JPHL U18)
28 Games – 6 Goals – 15 Assists – 21 Points

 

COHEN HARRIS – FORWARD – 2023 3RD ROUND PICK (47TH OVERALL)
Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA (SMAAAHL)
34 Games – 16 Goals – 17 Assists – 33 Points

JAXEN GAUCHIER – FORWARD – 2022 7TH ROUND PICK (140TH OVERALL)
North Peace Navigators (NWJHL)
23 Games – 16 Goals – 12 Assists – 28 Points

 

CARTER KINGERSKI – FORWARD – 2023 2ND ROUND PICK (35TH OVERALL)
Winnipeg Wild U18 AAA (MU18HL)
39 Games – 18 Goals – 24 Assists – 42 Points

 

BURKE HOOD – GOALTENDER – 2022 6TH ROUND PICK (119TH OVERALL)
Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA (MU18HL)
20 Games – 2.14 GAA – .917 SV%

 

NATHANIEL DANIELSON – FORWARD – 2023 6TH ROUND PICK (132ND OVERALL)
Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL U17)
26 Games – 19 Goals – 27 Assists – 46 Points