Photo Credit: Kamloops Blazers X Page

Most leagues around the world are now close to a dozen or so games into their respective seasons. With being said, one name that has surprised me thus far is Nathan Behm, who plays for the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers. Nathan, who is 2025 Draft eligible prospect, is a 6’2, 198-pound winger who can line up on either side of the face-off dot and be equally effective, so much so that he has managed to come out this season and set the officials scoresheet on fire. Netting eleven goals and seven assists for an impressive total of 18 points in only eleven games played! And, to put into perspective just how good his production has been this year, his goal-a-game average finds him only trailing the diminutive dynamo Cameron Schmidt of the Vancouver Giants, who has tallied 12 goals this year for supremacy of the WHL leaderboard. Here’s the catch, though. Schmidt was/is viewed by many as a projected first-round NHL draft pick for some time now.

So, you have to figure when you’re playing that close to greatness, it can only mean that your stock should be on the rise. That’s why if Nathan can keep this pace up, I would not be surprised if he hears his name being called somewhere in the second round of this upcoming summers draft.

Now that I have your attention, let’s break down Nathan’s game. As I already stated when I provided you with his height and weight above, Behm is a player who already possesses NHL size and strength. And it’s that combo that allows Nathan to push his opponents off the puck during scrums in the corner. Where he then, effortlessly creates distance from them with just a few short powerful strides. But that’s not all; because of his lanky frame, Nathan wields what to some would seem to be an unusually long stick, but to him, it fits just right. And with it, Behm can stretch out and receive a leading pass on a fast break that is saucered to where only he can get it, which often leaves him off to the races.

And my oh my, what a talent he is in the offensive zone. Whether he is setting up around the face dots or in tight around the goal mouth Nathan just has a knack for knowing where the puck is going to end up. So that he can put home a nice juicy rebound or set himself up to perform his (what should be patent pending) finishing move, which I call the “Turn and Burn.” Where if you’re not familiar with it, Nathan will set up with his back to the goalie; then, upon receiving the pass, Behm blindly completes a 180-degree turn only to blast it past the goaltender’s glove or blocker.

I’m telling you guys. Behm has the kind of scoring touch that NHL scouts fall in love with, and with any hope, maybe your favorite NHL team will be the one lucky enough to get to draft him.