WHL Stock Watch: Nathan Behm is emerging as an elite WHL scorer
In November, three WHL teams emerged as a cut above the rest: The Everett Silvertips, Edmonton Oil Kings, and Prince Albert Raiders.
The Oil Kings are the hottest team in the WHL, having won eight of their last 10. They have the best blueline core in the entire league, lead by No. 1 and North Dakota commit Ethan MacKenzie and Seattle Kraken pick Blake Fiddler. Offensively, they’re deep and well-rounded, with Miroslav Holinka and Max Curran emerging among the league’s leading scorers.
The scoring race has become J.P. Hurlbert’s to lose, having a seven-point lead with an impressive 48 points in 27 games. But Terik Pasacak has begun the catch up, Tij Iginla has returned and looked better than ever, and 2027 NHL Draft eligible Jaxon Jacobson has taken the point-per-game lead. Vancouver’s Cameron Schmidt is right in the mix, too, and he’s done without recording a single secondary assist this season.
More on the Oil Kings in a minute, but first, another red-hot WHL scorer who leads the league in several categories.
Stock Rising 📈
Nathan Behm, RW, Kamloops Blazers (Chicago Blackhawks)
With all eyes on frequent linemate J.P. Hurlbert’s start, Nathan Behm has quietly emerged as an elite WHL scorer. Not only is Behm second in the WHL in points, he leads the entire league in primary assists (21), primary points (37), primary points per game (1.42), as well as the even-strength variant of those three metrics.
Combining vision, creativity, and reach, there isn’t a pass Behm can’t make. He fakes defenders before dropping pucks back, shows shot before ripping a pass across the slot, and uses his full reach to adjust to passing lanes, ensuring pucks always get through. Really leaning into that rush and high-cycle playmaking has only amplified his scoring threat, too, as he’s on pace to eclipse last year’s 31 goals by 10.
What’s particularly exciting about Behm’s offensive surge is how it’s complemented by more power elements. He’s taking the puck hard to the net more often, leveraging his frame to win more battles, and has become a more engaged forechecker. While there’s still work to be done in those facets, his unique skill set and upward trajectory make him a big-time riser in the prospect sphere.
Max Curran, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (Colorado Avalanche)
With 25 points in the last 13 games, Max Curran is on a heater. Along the way, he’s had six games with at least three points. When he’s on, he hardly needs the puck to rack up the points, as highlighted by Austin Broad, our NHL Affiliated Scout, in a recent report:
“Offensively, he can do it all; he can contribute as a scoring threat or act as a facilitator and find teammates with clean and accurate passes. He drove offensive play at 5-on-5 and on the powerplay, getting key puck touches on multiple Oil Kings goals. He scored his goal on the powerplay off a nice backdoor one-timer, and his three assists came on a variety of plays, all involving Curran jumpstarting the attack.”
A lot of Curran’s success this year has come from additional pace through the neutral zone and more willingness to get inside off the wall on the cycle. He’s creating advantages regularly and capitalizing on them. Though his physical and off-puck games remain works in progress, he’s trending up.
Miroslav Holinka, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Miroslav Holinka has been just as productive as Curran lately, but his impact comes from consistency rather than explosions. He’s Edmonton’s driving force on the powerplay, zipping the puck across the slot with impunity and often leading their entries with his handling skill. Given the skill level, he’s put together some highlight reel plays, but what’s most impressive is the growth elsewhere.
Last season, Holinka struggled engaging opponents and winning battles. He had nights where he seldom got the puck as a result. That has changed significantly. He’s engaged more, winning far more battles (and winning more than he loses), and he’s even using his body to shield the puck from defenders and pulling off some power moves.
Now, Holinka’s the top forward on arguably the WHL’s best team – that’s an impressive bit of work. While he’ll still have to continue to develop the physical side further and add explosiveness, he’s having a picture-perfect overage season thus far.
Jonas Woo, LD, Medicine Hat Tigers (2025 Undrafted)
On pace for a 44-goal, 49-assist season, you’d be forgiven for thinking Jonas Woo is a forward. He leads the Medicine Hat Tigers in both goals per game and points per game by a mile. If an NHL team had taken a late-round swing on him last year, their fans would, understandably, be in overdrive hyping him up. But they didn’t, and now Woo has emerged as one of the top re-entries.
Last season, there was no denying Woo’s competitiveness, robust defence, and skill, but this year, he’s become a driver. He’s using his lateral mobility and vision far more often, setting up a flurry of chances – some of which come back directly to him, where his shot takes centre stage. He’s beating goalies with quick-release wristers, mid-air one-timers, and angle-changing releases.
With a major run on size in last year’s draft, it was inevitable that some smaller players would slip through the cracks. If Woo keeps this up, NHL teams won’t make the same mistake twice.
Honourable Mentions: Braeden Cootes (Vancouver Canucks), Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets), Joby Baumuller (2025 Undrafted), Jaxon Jacobson (2027 NHL Draft), Ryan Miller (Pittsburgh Penguins), Keith McInnis (2024 Undrafted).
Stock Steady ↔️
Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (Detroit Red Wings)
At first glance, Carter Bear hasn’t built off last year’s breakout season. His production is down from 1.46 points to 1.14, after all. But dig deeper, and there’s really no reason to be anything other than excited.
Bear continues to be arguably the most intense competitor in all of junior hockey. But he’s so much more than just a battle-winner, as he skillfully fires tricky passes, deceives defenders to create lanes, and connects with high-end passes every game. He’s generating chances for his teammates at an elite rate, too.
If there’s a theme of his season, it’s been a lack of luck. With a WHL-average on-ice shooting percentage, he’d be scoring at the same rate as last year, putting him among the league’s elite. Thankfully, luck has swung in his favour recently, with 12 points in his last six games.
Stock Falling 📉
Owen Martin, C, Spokane Chiefs (Winnipeg Jets)
Since last month’s Spokane Chiefs update, the situation has gotten worse. The powerplay is still stuck at 7.1 percent, their underlying metrics are slipping, their top scorer Mathis Preston is pointless in six straight, and Berkly Catton is no longer on the horizon.
As the sole NHL-drafted forward on the team, Owen Martin has to find more offence than seven points in 23 games. He scored 34 in 39 games last year! He was also a key part of the Chiefs’ playoff run, coming up big offence while locking down the opposition the other way. While he continues to work hard, he’s struggled winning battles and getting inside, often playing a very risk-averse game with possession.
If Martin rediscovers last season’s form, he’ll help lead Spokane back up the standings.