Â鶹´«Ã½Èë¿Ú

Current WHL Scouts, Brayden Sullivan (Calgary Hitmen) and Brennan York (Brandon Wheat Kings) took on Â鶹´«Ã½Èë¿Ú (CSSHL) staff Jordan Martin and Kai Farenholtz in an All-Time Male Fantasy Draft.

Round 1, Pick 1 (Brennen York): Matthew Savoie, Northern Alberta Xtreme/RHA Winnipeg

A two-time CSSHL MVP who averaged 2.7 PPG over the course of his time at NAX (U15 / U18 I) and RINK Winnipeg (U18 II). Savoie was an excellent CSSHL player due to his blend of athleticism, skill, speed, and tenacity – coupled with a natural scoring and playmaking touch. It’s in his two-hundred foot transitional play, and ability to score will make him a highly rewarded NHL star. His ability to lead and help build a winning culture is exemplified in his U18 and WHL championships, as well as the prestige of being taken in the top 10 of the NHL draft, to Buffalo at pick 9.Ìý

Round 1, Pick 2 (Brayden Sullivan): Connor McClennon, Northern Alberta Xtreme/Pursuit of Excellence

My first year of scouting the WHL draft was the 2016-2017 bantam season. During that year McClennon posted 45 goals and 54 points, while earning CSSHL U15 MVP honors and a WHL championship. The Pursuit of Excellence team was outstanding that year with players like Kyle Crnkovic, Jake Neighbours, Jack Finley, Luke Prokop and Ben King to name a few. But to this day there has not been a more game changing goal scorer I have seen that McClennon. Someone who could put the puck in the back of the net in an instance, and separate his play from others around him. Since then McClennon has gone on to play 243 games in the WHL, all with the Kootenay/Winnipeg Ice, and posted a whopping 284 points in five seasons. He was also selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Round 1, Pick 3 (Kai Farenholtz): Connor Bedard, North Shore Warriors

Need I say less? 64 goals in U15 Prep and 43 in U18 Prep, each as an underager? Connor Bedard is the best pure goal scorer and arguably the best player to ever bring and expand his talent in the CSSHL. Bedard not only led his respected division in goals each season he played, but also points and took home the title as MVP. Bedard’s impact on the ice with his jaw-dropping skill and his off-ice impact culturally for the game cannot be topped. First player to ever receive exceptional status into the WHL as well? Something that’s only been matched by one other player…

Round 1, Pick 4 (Jordan Martin): Landon DuPont, Edge School

And that other player would be Landon DuPont, who I will happily grab at the end of the first round. Dubbed by many as the second coming of Cale Makar, DuPont is your prototypical ‘new era’ dman whose unbelievable skating and hockey IQ allow him to dominate the game. One of the first time’s I saw DuPont play I wasn’t sure if he was a forward or a defenseman, and not because he was out of position, but merely because he was able to get around the ice so effortlessly and be the focal point of his team’s offensive attack, while still being back to defend (though he rarely needed to as the puck was on his or his teammates sticks 95% of the time he was on the ice). DuPont is able to lead or join the rush and has played some forward in the CSSHL and in the WHL, which showcases the offensive talent, IQ and skating that he possesses. DuPont joined Edge for the 2022/23 U15 Prep season, recording 15 goals, 32 assists and 47 points in 27 games, good enough for second on his team despite being a ‘first year’ defensemen. He would finish three points off the U15 Prep defensemen lead, though his 1.74 PPG were a league best. The following season DuPont would make the jump to the Edge U18 Prep team as an underage player. Despite being the youngest player in the league, DuPont was a CSSHL First Team All-Star and CSSHL Top Defenseman having recorded a U18 Prep defensemen record 62 points in just 30 games. He would save his best for last as he led the playoffs with 11 assists and 16 points in just 5 games as he was named CSSHL Playoffs MVP while helping Edge capture the 2024 CSSHL U18 Prep Western Championship. Selected first overall by the Everett Silvertips at the 2024 WHL Draft, DuPont led all WHL Rookies with 60 points while earning the WHL Rookie of the Year Award, having been granted exceptional status.ÌýÌý

Round 2, Pick 5 (Jordan Martin): Brock Cripps, St. Georges’s School

What’s better than one high IQ, right handed, puck moving defenseman? How about two. Cripps and DuPont are arguably the two best offensive defensemen to come through the CSSHL, leading to them being selected with back-to-back first and second overall picks at the 2024 WHL Draft. Cripps burst onto the scene in 2022/23 with 4 goals and 34 assists in 26 U15 Prep games with St. George’s School. The next season would be one of historic measures as he led all skaters with 45 assists and 70 points while taking home First Team All-Star, Top Defenseman and MVP Award honours. His 25 goals and 70 points are the most ever by a defenseman in a U15 Prep season, while his 79 assists and 108 points are the most in a U15 Prep career. He would carry those numbers into the U18 Prep division this season, leading all defensemen with 46 points as he was named aÌý First Team All-Star, Top Defenseman, Freshman All-Star and Top Freshman Award winner. In his CSSHL career Cripps leads all defensemen with 121 assists, seventh most among all skaters, and 157 points.Ìý

Round 2, Pick 6 (Kai Farenholtz): Daxon Rudolph, Northern Alberta Xtreme

To kick off my blueline, I’m selecting the 7th CSSHL student-athlete to ever be selected 1st overall at the WHL Prospects Draft, Daxon Rudolph. With a perfect blend of hockey IQ, a lethal shot and a dash of physicality, Rudolph checks all the boxes you want in a modern age two-way defender. Rudolph’s U15 Prep season with NAX was one to behold, leading the division in scoring by a defenseman with 50 points in 30 matches, enough to title him as the division’s Top Defenseman. However, Rudolph would really etch his name in the CSSHL history books with his performance at the 2023 U15 Prep Western Championships, recording 12 points in 5 games including the golden goal in the championship game over RHA Kelowna. Rudolph’s U18 Prep season the following year cemented his legacy in the CSSHL, racking up 59 points from the blueline. He would go on to be named U18 Prep’s Co-MVP alongside Tommy Lafreniere. Most recently, Rudolph has been making noise with the Prince Albert Raiders, truly coming into form in the latter half of the 2024-25 WHL season where he posted 41 points in his rookie campaign and was over a point-per game in the playoffs. Rudolph is currently slated to be a first round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Round 2, Pick 7 (Brayden Sullivan): Dylan Guenther, Northern Alberta Xtreme

In my eight seasons of scouting, there may not have been a better release to come out of the CSSHL than Dylan Guenther’s. The first overall pick in the 2018 WHL Draft, Guenther spent two seasons in the WHL where himself and Matt Savoie would go on to be one of the most dominant duo’s seen in Western Canada minor hockey. Guenther himself would become the first player in U15 prep history to post a 100 point season, in a year where he had 56 goals and 47 assists. Guenther would follow up this season with a year at the U18 that saw his Matt Tassone coached team with U18 championship, where Guenther put up 16 points in 5 playoff games and he would end being named the U18 top freshman that year. Since then Guenther would go on two win WHL championships, be a first round NHL draft pick of the Utah Mammoth, an NHL all star, and he would score the golden goal at the 2022-2023 WJC U20 Championship for Canada.Ìý

Round 2, Pick 8 (Brennen York): Gavin McKenna, South Alberta Hockey Academy/RHA Kelowna

There is a Paul Kariya-esque energy to Gavin McKenna’s game, and his ability to produce highlight reel offense on a nightly basis is going to be seen around the world when he finally steps into the NHL. He has the finesse-game to put defencemen on their heels whether he’s setting someone up or taking the shot. His 60-goals in 61-games is a testament to both his creativity and clutch scoring ability. As a player coming off back-to-back leaders in U-18 points – he is undoubtedly one of the best to do it in the CSSHL.

Round 3, Pick 9 (Brennen York): Carson Lambos, RHA Winnipeg

Carson Lambos spent three seasons in Winnipeg with the Rink Academy, amassing an impressive 114 points in 90 games. His ability to control the game from the back end, and his consistent assertiveness made him a highly impactful player at both ends of the ice. Lambos took home back-to-back Defenceman of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019, and was selected second overall in the WHL Draft to the Kootenay Ice. He later went on to be selected 26th overall to the Minnesota Wild where he is looking to break through to the main roster next season.Ìý

Round 3, Pick 10 (Brayden Sullivan): Tanner Molendyk, Yale Hockey Academy

One of the smoothest skating defenseman to come out of Western Canada, Molendyk spent two seasons in the CSSHL playing for the Yale Hockey Academy. An impactful pace controlling defenseman who could contribute to the game both offensively and defensively with his smarts, skating, deceptiveness and puck skills – Molendyk would be named the CSSHL U15 top defenseman for the 2020 season and go on to be selected by the Saskatoon Blades fifth overall. Following this Molendyk played only five games in the COVID 19 shortened season that saw him register over a point per game as an underage defenseman. Since then, Molendyk have become a WHL champion, an Ivan Hlinka gold medalist, a first round NHL pick, and he represented Canada at the latest World Juniors. Molendyk is expected to turn pro next season.Ìý

Round 3, Pick 11 (Kai Farenholtz): Logan Stankoven, Yale Hockey Academy

Prior to my time with the CSSHL, Logan Stankoven was a name I was always familiar with. Being a Kamloops, BC native myself, the buzz around Logan was always present in the River City. Stankoven may have only played one season with Yale Hockey Academy during his tenure in the CSSHL, but it stands as one of the best performances we’ve seen in the league’s history. In his 33 regular season appearances, Stankoven recorded 60 goals (57 in U15 Prep and 3 in U18 Prep) in part of a 93 point campaign. Stankoven would add another 10 points in 3 playoff matchups. Following his tenure in the CSSHL, Stankoven would continue to light the lamp in every level he’s played at, taking home such notable titles as CHL Player of the Year, two gold medals at the World Juniors and AHL Rookie of the Year. Pretty fair to say his recent contract extension with the Carolina Hurricanes is bound to pay off in the near future.

Round 3, Pick 12 (Jordan Martin): Terik Parascak, Edge School

Only three players in the history of the CSSHL have scored more than 100 goals in their careers and I’m going to take the opportunity to grab two of them with back-to-back picks. With two exceptional puck moving defensemen, Parascak and Preston (see below) will have no issues filling the net, like they’ve been doing for years. Parascak is the CSSHL’s All-Time Career goal scoring leader, tallying 119 regular season goals, nine more than anyone else. His 217 regular season points sits second All-Time, trailing only Matthew Savoie. 55 of those goals, and 98 of his points, came during the 2021/22 U16 Prep season when he was named MVP for Edge School. After capturing a CSSHL U18 Prep Western Championship in 2022/23, his lethal shot and offensive IQÌý transitioned seamlessly at the WHL level where he has scored 71 goals in two seasons with the Prince George Cougars, leading to the Washington Capitals selecting him in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.ÌýÌý

Round 4, Pick 13 (Jordan Martin): Mathis Preston, Okanagan Hockey Academy

Preston is arguably the most pure, offensive player to ever come through the CSSHL. Sitting third All-Time with 100 regular season goals in just 80 games, Preston can score from everywhere and anywhere, and will make you pay for any chance you give him, turning a harmless looking play into one with you pulling the puck out of the back of your net in a matter of seconds. I remember one particular game during his U18 Prep season where I left after the second period thinking he wasn’t at his best that day, only to get home and see he scored a natural hat-trick in a span of 3:05 to turn a 3-2 lead into a 6-2 lead just five minutes into the third period. Preston’s ability to open up a game earned him U15 Prep MVP honours in 2022/23 and spots on Team Canada at the Youth Olympic Games and at the U17 World Hockey Challenge. In 9 games wearing the Maple Leaf he has recorded 10 goals, including a U17 tournament high six in 2024/25, being named a tournament All-Star while winning a gold medal. His elite offensive abilities led to the Spokane Chiefs selecting him third overall at the 2023 WHL Draft, and should see him go in the Top 5-10 in next year’s NHL Draft.Ìý

Round 4, Pick 14 (Kai Farenholtz): Marc-Antoine Riopel, Bourget College

Since the conception of the CSSHL’s Eastern Division, no one has lit up the scoresheet more than Marc-Antoine Riopel. A two time champion with Bourget College, Riopel was a key contributor in all three seasons he spent in the CSSHL. Riopel led the Eastern U17 division in each scoring category in his first season with Bourget, completing the season with a strong playoff performance in part of a championship run. Riopel would run it back with Bourget’s U18 program the following season, going back-to-back to capture his second championship title. Riopel’s senior year with Bourget saw him post 45 points in 24 contests, enough to title him as the division’s MVP. Riopel’s 70 career points in Eastern U18 stands to this day as the most career points in the division’s history.

Round 4, Pick 15 (Brayden Sullivan): Kaiden Guhle, OHA Edmonton

As noted with one of my earlier write ups (Connor McClennon), the 2016-2017 bantam year was my first WHL draft that I watched full through. During that season Guhle would go on to captain OHA Edmonton, earn top defenseman honors, and be selected with the first overall pick by the Prince Albert Raiders. Since then Guhle has had nothing but success at all levels. The tall standing rear guard has brought his defensive prowess and smooth skating to the WHL where he won a championship in 2022, seeing WHL playoff MVP honors, and representing Canada at the world juniors level on two occasions, one in whichÌý he would captain. Guhle was selected in the first round of 2020 NHL by the Montreal Canadians, and he has already played three seasons in the NHL. The Sherwood Park native has captained his team at every level, and established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in the NHL today.

Round 4, Pick 16 (Brennen York): Dylan Garand, Delta Hockey Academy

The consistency in Dylan Garand’s game throughout his two seasons at Delta is why he is considered one of the most elite-level goalies to ever play in the CSSHL. Throughout his first season at U15 Prep, Garand recorded a 13-0 regular season record along with a .959 save percentage. He followed up an undefeated campaign by recording a .931 save percentage and 15-5-0 record at the U18 ranks. Garand went on to play three seasons with the Kamloops Blazers where he earned a Del Wilson Trophy for WHL Goalie of the Year, as well as CHL Goalie of the Year honours, a World Junior Gold Medal, and went on to be selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round.

Round 5, Pick 17 (Brennen York): Olen Zellweger, OHA EdmontonÌý

Despite the skill and scoring ability of Matthew Savoie, Connor Bedard, and Gavin McKenna – Olen Zellweger was the most exciting player I have ever watched in the CSSHL. His mobility, edge work, acceleration, and speed allowed him to do things that very few players around the world are capable of. On top of that, he showcased elite level intelligence and playmaking ability every single night. Despite a modest 59 points in 65 CSSHL games, Zellweger played a key role in the last U15 Prep Championship for OHA Edmonton in 2018. Zellweger went on to become a premier offensive leader both in Everett, Kamloops, where he earned the honour of Top Defenceman of the CHL twice, and two World Junior Gold Medals.

Round 5, Pick 18 (Brayden Sullivan): Oliver Kiraly, Ontario Hockey Academy / Mount Academy

Kiraly is coming off a highly impressive last two seasons, posting a combined 0.918 save percentage to go along with his 12 wins in the 19 starts he gave OHA Ontario. The 6’1 left handed goaltender also spent time this past season representing Hungary in the WJC U20 1A division where in his three starts, he posted a 0.917 save percentage. Kiraly is set to join the Blackfalds Bulldogs of the BCHL next season.

Round 5, Pick 19 (Kai Farenholtz): Ty Smith, Delta Hockey Academy

Being born in 2000, the 2015 WHL Prospects Draft meant a lot to me. Not that I was any good enough to be drafted, but I was curious to see where some of my peers from high school may be selected. This was my first time hearing about Ty Smith and the CSSHL as a whole. Smith was the first CSSHL student-athlete to ever be selected first overall at the WHL Prospects Draft. Smith was an all-around force on Delta Hockey Academy’s blueline, posting 28 points in only 16 games during the 2014-15 season. Smith’s breakout season was etched into the history books, being named MVP in the inaugural season of the U15 Prep division. Smith was the only defenseman to ever be named U15 Prep MVP until Brock Cripps garnered the title in 2024.Ìý

Round 5, Pick 20 (Jordan Martin): Parker Snell, OHA Edmonton/Northern Alberta Xtreme

Since its inception in 2009, Snell is the only male goalie in the history of the CSSHL to win an MVP Award, doing so this past season. Snell joined NAX in 2021/22 at the U15 level before having a dominant 2022/23 U15 Prep season. That year he would go 15-0-0 while leading the U15 Prep division with a 1.35 GAA and .944 SV%, earning his first CSSHL Top Goaltender Award. Both his 1.35 GAA and .944 SV% rank third all time by a netminder in a single U15 Prep season. He would go 4-0-0 in the playoffs to help NAX capture the 2023 CSSHL U15 Prep Western Championship. He would be named a U17 Prep Second Team All-Star in 2023/24 before his historic U18 Prep season with OHA Edmonton that saw him win his second CSSHL Top Goaltender Award and first MVP. A second round pick by the Edmonton Oil Kings at the 2023 WHL Draft, Snell has already carried his success into the WHL, going 2-0-0 with a 1.000 SV% and 0.00 GAA with 1 shutout for the Oil Kings this season.Ìý

Round 6, Pick 21 (Jordan Martin): Isaac Tremblay, Mount Academy

With two elite goal scorers up front, Tremblay will thrive in the role of distributor. During the 2021/22 season he tallied a CSSHL Eastern U18 record 41 assists, 9 more than anyone else has ever done. His 62 points that season sit second most in Eastern Division history, though his 2.38 points per game would have seen him smash the CSSHL record had he hit the full game count of his peers that season. A 2021 QMJHL Draft Pick by the Cape Breton Eagles, Tremblay would earn CSSHL Eastern U18 Prep MVP honours and help Mount Academy capture a CSSHL Eastern Championship that historic season. The 6’1 center has used his blend of size and elite skill to climb the junior ranks into the NCAA, where he just finished his first season with St. Lawrence University, tallying 12 points in 33 games. While he only played one CSSHL season, his impact on the league will live in the record books for some time.Ìý

Round 6, Pick 22 (Kai Farenholtz): Thomas Milic, BWC Academy

After stringing together a season worthy of being named Top Goaltender in U15 Prep, BWC Academy’s Thomas Milic would continue to torch the U18 Prep division between the pipes for another two seasons before making his jump to the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds. In Milic’s three seasons with BWC Academy, his save-percentage never dipped below 0.908% and his GAA never shot above 2.41. Milic won 41 regular season games across those three years with BWC Academy and would be named Top Goaltender once again in his final season of U18 Prep. Following his CSSHL tenure, Milic would go on to a lustrous career with the Seattle Thunderbirds along with capturing a gold medal with Canada at the 2023 World Juniors. Milic would defy the odds after being looked over in the two previous NHL Drafts, having his name called by the Winnipeg Jets in the 5th round of the 2023 Draft.

Round 6, Pick 23 (Brayden Sullivan): Noah Kosick, Pacific Coast Hockey Academy

One of the most highly productive CSSHL players in the leagues history – Noah Kosick spent three seasons with the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, where he played two season of U18 Prep and one season of U15 Prep. In those respective leagues, Kosick posted a 3.31 points per game at the U15 level and an impressive 1.75 point per game at the U18 level. A top playmaker in the CSSHL, Kosick would go on to have the most points in a season at both the U15 and U18 level in his three seasons. Kosick is a player who packages his intelligence, his vision, his puck skills and his creativity in order to make players around him better. Kosick would go on following his 2022-2023 season to being selected in the first round by the Calgary Hitmen.

Round 6, Pick 24 (Brennen York): Vytautas Lenkutis, King Heights Academy

Vytautas is coming off a highly impressive, league leading 50 points for King Heights Academy, registering 26 goals and 24 assists. He brings a unique blend of skill, speed, and competitiveness that will translate to the junior level next season. The Lithuanian-born forward provides another example of European born players finding success in the CSSHL.ÌýÌý

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Keaton Verhoeff, Ethan Eskit, Jojo Tanaka-Campbell, Zach Benson, Seth Jarvis, Sean Tschigerl, Ryan Lin