Brock Cripps - Defence - Prince Albert Raiders
5’11” - 168lbs - Shoots: Right
One of the most highly touted defencemen in the 2027 NHL Draft, Cripps is known as a high-end puck moving defenceman. Last season as a 16-year-old, with 2026 top 5 pick Daxon Rudolph on the team, Cripps was trusted to quarterback the powerplay for the Raiders which is a great example of both his offensive IQ and puck-moving ability. This season on the Raiders, Cripps is the clear number 1 defenceman and will be relied upon to play big minutes at both ends of the ice.
The offensive toolkit of Cripps is incredibly versatile. He possesses all the tools you look for in an offensive defenceman but I believe his most standout ability is his IQ. He processes the game, specifically on the offensive side, at a much higher rate than anyone else on the ice. He never panics with the puck on his stick and is able to generate many scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
His skating is also at a very high level. He doesn’t possess the most explosive first step but he makes up for that with great elusiveness and fluidity that allows him to transition and escape defenders with ease. He skates just as well with the puck on his stick as he does without it which when coupled together, allows him to create time and space.
The area that needs the most improvement in Cripps’ game is his adding some more physical strength and rounding out the defensive side of the game. He defends fairly well for someone of his size and I'm sure he will add some strength with the physical maturity that will come as he gets older but in order to be that top pair defenceman at the next level he will need to continue to round out that side of his game.
He’s had a solid start to his season with 8 points in 10 games on a struggling Raiders team, but he still has more to give. Last season he showed signs of someone who could potentially push for the top 10 in this year's draft, but he will need to take his game to another level if he wants to stay in that conversation. More consistency and well-roundedness will go a long way for Cripps’ draft stock and for his development as a player.
- Instead of forcing a shot right away, Cripps takes the extra handle of the puck to open up a shooting lane and scores a beauty.
- Cripps immediately walks in from the point, fakes a shot and makes a great pass to the wide open player for a one-timer goal.
- A great example of the poise Cripps has is to hold onto that puck instead of forcing a pass which allowed him to turn it into a give and go and a good scoring chance.
Boston Tait - Defence - Wenatchee Wild
6’2” - 197lbs - Shoots: Left
Another high end defenceman for the 2027 NHL Draft is the Wenatchee Wild’s Boston Tait. After a solid debut season in the WHL, Tait is looking to build upon that this season with the Wild and potentially push for the 1st round of this year's draft. His combination of size and skating as well as his ability to join the rush are some of the main attributes that make him an intriguing prospect. Generally considered in the early-mid 2nd round right now, a strong season in the WHL could see him push for the 1st round come June.
Tait is a high-level skater. He combines good speed with fluid movement to cover ice very quickly and take time and space away from opposing players. His skating also allows him to join in on the rush as he has the ability to track back when possession is lost and not be out of the play defensively. He 6’2” frame also means he has a good reach, and in conjunction with the skating ability, he is very difficult to get around for forwards. There are times where he can rely too much upon his skating and put himself out of position in the defensive zone, but if he is able to round out that side of his game, he would be a very tough task for any opposing forward.
His shot is also a real weapon. He is able to get pucks through from the point as well as off the rush where he can shoot in stride to beat goalies or create chances in front of the net. He isn’t always able to turn his shot into goals, but creating rebounds or using it as a threat still makes it a strong attribute of his game.
Another strength of his is his passing ability. He uses it well in the offensive zone from the blue line, and he also uses it very effectively on the breakout to find outlets exiting the zone. There are times where he can be caught trying a riskier pass but when he keeps it simple and passes it quickly, he is very effective. He is at his best when he plays simple and with composure and doesn’t try to do too much. He weighed-in roughly 15 pounds heavier this season as well, and if he is able to add some more physicality to his game, that would be another positive thing to add to his arsenal.
- A goal off a great shot from the top of the circle from Tait, showing the kind of weapon his shot can be at times.
- The camera doesn’t fully capture it but Tait activates from the point and makes a great pass to the front of the net, resulting in a goal.
Roberts Naudins - Centre - Penticton Vees
6’6” - 210lbs - Shoots: Left
It is not very often you find a 6’6” centre who handles the puck and moves as fluidly as Roberts Naudins. Coming from prep school hockey, it is taking Naudins some time to find his scoring in the WHL, but you can easily see the tools that make him a very intriguing prospect. If he finds his offensive game and puts everything together in the WHL, you won’t have to wait too long to hear his name called early at the 2027 NHL Draft.
At his size, you expect the skating mechanics to be choppy and more cumbersome, but Naudins has a very fluid and smooth stride that allows him to get around the ice very well. As he adds more strength to his frame, the stride will become more powerful and he will use it even more to his advantage, specifically off the rush. His skill and reach are a dangerous combination and make him a force below the goal line holding off defenders and making plays that other players can’t. He is solid on his skates and that coupled with his reach, knocking him off the puck can be a difficult task and allows Naudins to create offence and set up his teammates in high danger areas. He reads the offensive side of the game well and is a threat both from distance as well as the front of the net in the offensive zone.
With Naudins, there are areas for improvement in his game such as the pace at which he plays sometimes. This isn’t totally unexpected for players of this size, but the ones who are able to play the game at a high pace are the ones who find the most success and can excel at the next level. Another area I would like to see him focus on is using his physicality even more. He uses it well to shield off defenders and protect pucks, but I would like to see that physicality in the defensive zone and other battles around the ice even more often.
The 200-foot game of Naudins is also quite solid. He doesn’t cheat to the offensive side of the game and makes sure to take care of his own end. He supports his teammates well on the breakout as he’s always in a position to recover if the puck is turned over but is still a good outlet option to start the play going up ice.
With all those tools, he just needs to find a way in order to tie them all together and use them all to his benefit, and that will put him in a great spot for his future.
- In this clip Naudins strips the opposing player of the puck and gets to the slot for a shot, then he stays with the play to cycle it back to the point for another shot on goal.
- Good things happen when you go to the net and Naudins catches the puck out of the air, drops it to his stick and scores.
Tyden Lafournaise - Wing - Lethbridge Hurricanes
6’0” - 193lbs - Shoots: Right
Someone who may not be at the top of many lists but certainly deserves some attention is Lethbridge Hurricanes winger Tyden Lafournaise. The 6-foot-0, 193-pound winger from Winnipeg plays a very developed and well-rounded game for a 17-year-old. His offensive production may not jump off the page to you but it’s the other elements of his game that make Lafournaise a prospect to watch out for.
Lafournaise has very solid fundamentals in his game and uses them all over the ice. He can be a responsible player in the defensive zone and can transition the play up ice. He has a good shot and a quick release that he can use to catch goalies off guard on the rush or off the cycle. He is often able to find quiet areas in front of the net to get a shot off and although the goals haven’t been plentiful to start the season, you can see the potential for that total to increase this season. His passing ability also allows him to set up teammates and create scoring chances. He won’t dazzle you with skill or speed, but he does all the little things that you want from a player.
While the details of his game are very good, at this point in his career, he doesn’t possess that one elite skill that you often look for in a player. There is something to be said for being well-rounded but oftentimes you look for that one elite trait that allows the player to stand out above the rest. If he is able to add a level of dynamic offence or a more developed physicality to his game, that could end up being what allows him to stand out in this draft.
He has a good frame and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game, but I would like to see more aggression in some of the 1-on-1 puck battles showing a willingness to just do whatever it takes to come out of the battle with the puck. In doing that, it will show a very positive sign for playing at the next level with older, stronger players.
- Great example of the kind of release that Lafournaise has off the rush resulting in a beautiful goal.
- Nice backdoor pass by Lafournaise resulting in a tap-in.
- Great backcheck by Lafournaise that he is able to turn into a chance for his team going the other way.
Ossi Tukio - Defence - Regina Pats
6’2” - 190lbs - Shoots: Left
After being passed over in the 2026 NHL draft, Tukio decided to make the move from the Finnish league, to the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. The 6’2” 187lbs defenceman has had a fairly productive start to his WHL career putting up 6 points across his first 10 games but it’s his overall play that has been his strongest asset to start the season.
Tukio is largely known as an offensive orientated defenceman but the defensive side of his game has proven to be quite solid as well through the beginning of the season. He doesn’t project to be a shutdown defenceman by any means but he's been able to use his skating and his reach quite effectively to shut down plays in the defensive zone and keep players away from the middle of the ice. He isn’t an overly physical player, and he would benefit from adding a more physical element to his game. He doesn’t have to throw big open ice hits but defending against the walls and in front of the net are areas where he could improve.
The appeal with Tukio comes more when he has the puck on his stick. He has a real ability to quarterback a powerplay where he can threaten both his shot and passing ability. He is very composed on the offensive blueline and doesn’t force plays. He has the skill to hold onto pucks and distribute effectively. His skating is also a positive and allows him to join the rush while maintaining the ability to get back into the play defensively as well. He sees plays develop ahead of time, specifically in the offensive zone.
All of those tools put together makes Tukio a very effective two-way defenceman with an offensive upside. If he continues to play the way he has to start the season, and even increases offensive production a bit more, I would expect to hear his name called in the 2027 NHL Draft. Certainly, a name to keep an eye on in the WHL this season.
- Beautiful goal by Tukio off the rush.
- Great read by Tukio to intercept the play and use his composure to make a pass to the slot to start the breakout.
- Tukio makes a nice read to step up and hold the line, then he makes a great move to the middle of the ice for a shot.
Brayden Klimpke - Defence - Saskatoon Blades
6’0” - 176lbs - Shoots: Left
Klimpke has enjoyed an excellent offensive start to the 2026-2027 WHL season. The smooth-skating defenceman has amassed 15 points through the first 10 games of the season. A 4th round pick of the Canadiens this past summer, Klimpke has certainly turned the heads of Canadiens fans so far. After nearly doubling his point total from his first to second season in the WHL, he is well on pace to double his total from last season once again.
The first thing that stands out with Klimpke is certainly his skating. He has a very smooth stride, great four-way mobility and can reach a good top speed both with and without the puck. He uses that skating ability to join in on the rush very often and it allows him to oftentimes skate the puck out of the zone with possession rather than just chipping off the glass and out. Skating is also his main weapon on the defensive side of the game. Being on the smaller side, rather than using physicality, he uses his IQ and skating ability to cover ice and close off plays for opposing players.
The IQ and poise of Klimpke is another tool that he uses to his advantage. He is rarely panicked out there which allows him to make the smart play rather than trying to force a different play. He exemplifies this very well when quarterbacking the powerplay. 10 of his 15 points this season have come on the powerplay, where he has been excellent. He controls the blueline with poise and distributes the puck very well while maintaining a shooting threat from the point.
The most obvious concern for Klimpke is his size and occasional defensive lapses. He is overall a solid defender in his own zone but there are times where he can get muscled off the puck in a battle or miss his coverage in front of the net. If he is able to add some size and strength, it will allow him to be able to win more of those battles and start the play going the other way.
Throughout the vast majority of his WHL career, Klimpke has logged big minutes for the Blades and he seems to handle that with no issue. His pace and decision making doesn’t fall off at the end of the game even after logging 25+ minutes. The improvements in his game this season have shown great promise that he can hopefully one day be an effective player at the pro level.
- Klimpke makes a beautiful rush around the defender before pulling the puck to his backhand and scoring a highlight reel goal.
- Klimpke makes a great play to break up the rush then uses his skating to beat everyone up ice and ring one off the post.
- A good example of the elusiveness and composure that Klimpke has at the blue line