WHL Stock Watch: Carter Bear, Nathan Behm among 2025 Draft's biggest risers
The halfway point of the WHL's regular season is near, and Gavin McKenna has started to pull away. He has nine more points than the second-closest scorer, 15 more than fifth-place, powered by 36 points in 16 games since the start of November.
When it comes to teams, there's little separating the majority. Four wins separation No. 2 in the East and No. 9. The Western Conference is a battleground, with
But there are two exceptions: The Saskatoon Blades and the Everett Silvertips. Saskatoon's structure has kept even the East's best offences at bay, while Everett is running away with the league out West. 24 wins in 30 games. 142 goals for (next closest has 120). 71 goals against. The 'Tips can beat you in every aspect of the game.
We start with Everett's leading scorer.
Stock Rising 📈
Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (2025 NHL Draft)
Carter Bear is Silvertips hockey. Name a style; he can play it. Name a role; he can fill it. He's a skilled net-front finisher, precision playmaker, shutdown defensive forward, penalty-killer extraordinaire, and super pest all in one.
With Bear, it's often in the details: The stick work and route to kill an opposing rush, the pick to create space, the slick pass off the wall for a clean breakout, and so on. Now he's become a dynamic scorer, too. He hits give-and-gos to break through the defence, draws defensive attention before slipping a pass to the open teammate, and consistently finds the best pass, even while fighting through contact. No WHLer gets off the wall more, and no WHLer is more willing to absorb and dish out punishment to make a play.
When all else fails, Bear has the special work rate and battle level to overcome. He wins battles on the second, third, and fourth effort, dives head first into shooting lanes, and never deviates from his high-intensity style – no matter the score. And that's while having top-six skill.
Look for Bear inside our top 10 when our next ranking drops on Wednesday.
Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna Rockets (Washington Capitals)
Andrew Cristall represents the biggest threat to McKenna's scoring title. Though he's played nearly 10 fewer games than the competition, he's a clear second in league scoring with 51 points. He's scoring nearly 2.5 points per game, with just 11 points on the power play. He has three shorthanded goals, too.
Most impressively, Cristall has mastered CHL scoring while improving the translatability of his game. Added pace through the neutral zone, more diversity in his transition attacks, and more inside-focused attacks have opened new offensive opportunities. And he's throwing away fewer pucks in transition, especially on breakouts, with more poise under fire and willingness to take a hit to make the play.
There are even nights where Cristall looks far more physical, entering more battles, powering through contact on his way to the net, and even launching himself at opponents on the forecheck. If Cristall keeps building off this, there's a real chance he brings his Chessmaster-like approach to the Capitals' top-six.
Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (2025 NHL Draft)
When we first highlighted Lynden Lakovic in early October, emphasis was on his growth as a playmaker. He had the flashes the previous season, but he was starting to control games with his willingness to draw pressure before dishing, deception, and diverse passing skill set. And that was coupled with dynamic rushes and an NHL shot.
Nearing the halfway point of the season, it's safe to say that Lakovic's growth as a playmaker is for real. But we did have some questions about his physical game. Yes, he's tall and electrifying with the puck, but he always ended up on the outside of battles and didn't use his body much. He challenged that perception at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, as I highlighted in a game report after game one:
Not sure anyone did more for their stock in this game than Lakovic. This was a different version than the Moose Jaw version, showcasing a lot more willingness to use his body, engage opponents along the wall, and control contact on retrievals. Given that, it should be no surprise that he, along with Ben Kindel, were the CHL's best chance creators at 5-on-5 in this game.
Our preliminary 2025 draft ranking had Lakovic inside the top 10 – a spot he's kept in our upcoming second ranking, despite significant movement on the board. Lakovic's next challenge will be life without Winnipeg Jets top prospect Brayden Yager. Early signs? So far, so good.
Nathan Behm, RW, Kamloops Blazers (2025 NHL Draft)
After a blazing start with 29 points in 18 games, Nathan Behm's production has ground to a halt. He has just three points in his last 10, all of which came in Kamloops' only two wins over that stretch. Yet, he remains a prospect on the rise. His skill level is undeniable, visible each night he takes the ice, and his overall play remains strong.
Behm is a creative force when he steps on the ice. He makes a ton happen, often in unique ways. 1-on-1, he's one of the most dangerous players in the draft, consistently manipulating opponents before claiming space. Just when it seems like he's lost control, he somehow recovers the puck and makes another high-end play instantly.
But Behm can be a lot more than just a flashy player. He's an NHL-calibre shooter off the pass and an even better playmaker. He deceives opponents before nearly every pass, even the easy ones, creating that little bit extra space for his teammates.
We'll see what the second half holds for Behm, but he looks like a first-round prospect with the rare combination of dual-threat scoring, size, and versatility.
Honourable Mentions: Matthew Gard (2025 NHL Draft), Caden Price (Seattle Kraken), Tomas Mrsic (St. Louis Blues), Tanner Howe (Pittsburgh Penguins), Hayden Paupanekis (2025 NHL Draft).
Stock Steady ↔️
Carter Yakemchuk, RD, Calgary Hitmen (Ottawa Senators)
After a lights-out preseason where Carter Yakemchuk dazzled with his skills and showcased a much tighter defensive game, he's returned to Calgary without missing a beat. The dynamic goalscoring blueliner is finding twine at an identical rate while seeing a slight uptick in assists.
Yakemchuk controls the game from the blueline and in. Though he's a uniquely skilled dangler at heart, he's also capable of beating pressure with give-and-gos, sneaky activation, and quick passes from the point. Wherever he goes, points will follow. Outside of that preseason stretch, however, there hasn't been much change in his defensive and transition games. He's still prone to throwing away pucks under pressure, still beatable off the rush with speed, and still prone to plenty of defensive breakdowns.
But there has been one area of growth in Yakemchuk's defensive game: Physicality. He had the flashes last season, but now he's a consistently physical – and often punishing – player along the wall and around his net. As he continues to drill the details, his defensive game could really take off in the WHL before pushing for an NHL job next fall.
Stock Falling 📉
Charlie Elick, RD, Brandon Wheat Kings (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Charlie Elick doesn't land in stock falling because of poor play – far from it. But, at some point, players have to score. Elick has just six assists in 24 games. His offensive game hasn't taken the next step. He has the vision, activation, and aggression, but at times, his handling and shot limit his ability to create offence.
Of course, there are some pretty extreme usage effects here. He's a rare NHL draft pick who doesn't play on the power play regularly, despite having the skills to do so. He's Brandon's No. 1 at even-strength, yet takes the toughest matchups and heaviest defensive zone starts. And he's been just straight-up unlucky not to generate more points through his breakout skills.
With Elick locking down opponents, Brandon sits fourth in the Eastern Conference, powered by their Prairies-leading defence – that's without star centre Roger McQueen. So, while Elick needs to find his scoring touch to maximize his impact, this cold stretch doesn't generate any concern for his NHL projection.
