Two Kamloops Blazers players, Nathan Bhem and Tommy Lafreniere, have cracked the top 100 of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) midterm scouting rankings. Both players, born in 2007, are eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry draft.
Nathan Bhem, a Calgary native, was ranked 31st among the American skaters from the NHL, which projects him as a potential first-round pick—standing as a 6’2” forward, Behm has been a stand-out star in his third season with the Blazers. He has raked up 23 goals and 48 points in 40 games. Bhem has been recognized as the WHL’s “Star of the Week” twice this season. During one of the weeks, Bhem netted four goals and six assists in just three games. The Central Scouting report initially ranked him with a “B” grade in October, which would project him as a second or third-round draft pick.
Originally labelled as a “W” player to watch back in October (indicating the 5’11 forward as a potential sixth or seventh-round pick), Lafreniere has climbed the rankings to 86th. The latest ranking sets him as a now potential 3rd round draft pick. In his first full WHL season, Lafreniere has scored 17 goals and a total of 39 points so far this season in 42 games with the Blazers. The forward was even named the “WHL Rookie of the Week” in January for his performance of six points in two games.
The two rising stars continue to make significant contributions to the Blazers, showcasing both of their potential as future NHL players.