Nathan Behm (l) and Tommy Lafreniere (r) (Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

NHL Central Scouting

Blazers’ Behm, Lafreniere rise in NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings

Jan 14, 2025 | 9:29 AM

KAMLOOPS — A pair of Kamloops Blazers forwards have cracked the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting midterm rankings.

Nathan Behm was ranked 31st overall among North American skaters, slotting him as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 2007-born forward has scored 23 goals and 47 points in 38 games for the Blazers during the 2024-25 Western Hockey League (WHL).

On Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list, Behm was given a ’B’ grade, projecting him as a potential second- or third-round pick.

Taking an even larger leap in the rankings was Tommy Lafreniere, the reigning WHL Rookie of the Week. The 2007-born forward was ranked 86th overall in Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings, slotting him as a potential third-round pick. Lafreniere was given a ‘W’ rating, indicating him as a potential sixth- or seventh-round pick, in the preliminary rankings.

Lafreniere has scored 15 goals and 36 points in 39 games for the Blazers this season.

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Elsewhere, 2007-born forward Vit Zahejsky was not ranked on Central Scouting’s midterm list. The Czech forward was given a ‘C’ grade as a potential fourth- or fifth-round pick in the preliminary ranking. He has scored one goal and five points in 18 games since returning from a broken lower fibula.

The Blazers are on Vancouver Island for a pair of weekend games against the Victoria Royals Friday (Jan. 17) and Saturday.

They’ll return to Sandman Centre Wednesday, Jan. 22, to host the Brandon Wheat Kings for a 7:00 p.m. start.