WHL Stock Watch: Radim Mrtka's strong play in Seattle puts him in top-10 territory

After a month hiatus, Stock Watch is back.
Since December, lots has happened in the WHL. A series of massive trades has seen the balance of power shift to southern Alberta.
In terms of scoring, Andrew Cristall has a one-point lead over Gavin McKenna in the points race after forming an unstoppable duo with Berkly Catton in Spokane. Meanwhile, Ben Kindel and Carter Bear, a pair of 2025 NHL Draft eligibles, are third and sixth in league scoring, respectively.
Before delving into the Hitmen's standouts, we highlight a top 2025 eligible defenceman entering top-10 discussions.
Stock Rising 📈
Radim Mrtka, RD, Seattle Thunderbirds (2025 NHL Draft)
After averaging just 10 minutes in the Czech Extraliga, Radim Mrtka headed to the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds and instantly became their No. 1 defenceman. After playing over 28 minutes in his debut, he’s since averaging 27 per night – with a season-high of 34:41 this weekend (via InStat Hockey).
The transition has been almost seamless. The 6-foot-6 defenceman brings immense defensive range, breakout skill, and uncommon ability to create high-value plays off retrievals. Our most recent on Mrtka, from January 25th, breaks down some of the many impressive plays he’s making nightly now:
“He grabbed a primary assist by recovering after getting beat, leading the rush, recognizing the trailing support, and dropping the puck back to them for a one-timer. He's very active and involved in the play, but it's the defence and breakouts where the potential really shines. In transition, he's constantly looking to create advantages. He uses the middle, the weak side, and his backhand and connects with saucer, slip, and hook passes -- the passing skill projects 5.5-plus.”
In a draft of uncertainty, Mrtka brings a high probability of playing an NHL role with the tools and runway to become an effective top-four defenceman.
Ben Kindel, RW/C, Calgary Hitmen (2025 NHL Draft)
Following a breakout WHL rookie season, Ben Kindel got off to a slow start first the first weeks of the season. At the six-game mark, he had just three points. Now, he’s third in the WHL in points and fourth in points per game. It hasn’t been a hot stretch or two driving it, either – it’s been all season since, having scored a 1.9 point per game clip since his slow start.
A high-pace, dual-threat scorer, Kindel creates offence in just about every way. He turnovers over pucks and sets up chances, breaks through the defence off the rush for chances, deceives opponents to slip pucks through their stick, and controls the game from the half wall. The intricate high-speed passing plays that he and centreman Oliver Tulk (Wisconsin commit) create are among the very best in the sport right now.
The Hitmen and Kindel (our No. 23 prospect in January’s ranking) have become must-watch.
Carson Wetsch, RW, Calgary Hitmen (San Jose Sharks)
Since January started, only three players have more goals than Carson Wetsch’s 11 in 15 games. With explosive speed, shooting, and a desire to drive the net, the Hitmen’s captain has always had the tools for this type of scoring, but now, he looks like a more creative, well-rounded offensive threat.
During this hot streak, Wetsch has shown a lot more playmaking than before. He’s spotting teammates off the rush instead of driving constantly, using his teammates to create space in the neutral zone, and setting up chances from the cycle with precise passes. Doing that has only led to more chances for himself, as there are fewer one-on-done rushes when he’s on the ice.
Now, the hard-hitting power forward looks like one of the WHL’s most improved players – and someone on a track top playing an explosive checking role in the NHL.
Honourable Mentions: Brayden Yager (Winnipeg Jets), Ryder Ritchie (Minnesota Wild), Hayden Paupanekis (2025 NHL Draft), Daxon Rudolph (2026 NHL Draft), Cole Temple (2025 NHL Draft), Tommy Lafreniere (2025 NHL Draft), Brandon Gorzynski (2025 NHL Draft).
Stock Steady ↔️
Tanner Howe, RW, Calgary Hitmen (Pittsburgh Penguins)
While Kindel and Tulk run through the opposition, their most common linemate, Tanner Howe, isn’t having quite the same scoring success. He’s scoring around a point per game to their 1.65-plus rates. Normally, that’d be a sign for Stock Falling, but it’s hard not to appreciate the room he’s creating for them.
The primary difficulty for Howe has been getting high-danger looks at even-strength. Instead of crashing the net, he spends more time battling down low, winning position, and freeing pucks for his linemates. As such, he’s taken on much more of a playmaking role than he had with Regina, using his physical skills and mobility to create space for before starting a Tulk-Kindel passing play.
In the playoffs, Howe’s skill set and adaptability will become even more valuable. He could play a similar supportive role in the NHL.
Blake Fiddler, RD, Edmonton Oil Kings (2025 NHL Draft)
Blake Fiddler, the No. 20-ranked prospect on our most recent board, has held down a mid-first spot on every iteration of our rankings so far. If you just look at the tools, you’d guess he should be higher – a 6-foot-4 right-shot defenceman with skating, puckhandling, and passing all as strengths.
The offence and puck game are quite inconsistent. Some games, he masterfully manipulates the forecheck to create high-value breakout lanes, manipulates defenders to break off the point, and dangles around defenders for chances. Others, he plays a simple, up-the-wall breakout game with limited offence.
Of course, Fiddler’s never short of defensive impact He hasn’t taken quite as significant of a step as those around him, but he still has three-zone potential and top-four NHL upside.
Stock Falling 📉
Caden Price, LD, Lethbridge Hurricanes (Seattle Kraken)
Through the first couple months of the season, Caden Price couldn’t be stopped. He was one of the WHL’s biggest breakout prospects, scoring 28 points in 17 games – a 1.65 point per game pace – while bringing a steady approach defensively. Since then, Price has just eight points – zero goals – in 21 games. Sure, there was a trade to Lethbridge in the middle, but the production slowed well before that.
So, what changed?
A lot of Price’s scoring success came through his play-building skills and ability to set-up cross-lot looks from higher in the zone. The latter has dropped off in recent weeks, both in terms volume and precision. He’s playing much more of a straight-forward offensive game, especially with Lethbridge.
With his defensive and breakout skills, offence isn’t the primary selling point anyway, but bringing a consistent playmaking punch will improve his odds of becoming a top-six NHL defenceman.
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