On NHL Central Scouting’s radar, Prince George Cougars goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen is considered an A-lister.
The soon-to-be 18-year-old North Vancouver native is among six WHL players listed as A prospects for the 2025 NHL draft, according to NHL Central Scouting’s plrelliminary players to watch list, released Wednesday.
The A prospect designation indicates a player showing potential to be a first-round draft pick.
Ravensbergen leads the WHL with six wins and is currently sporting a 3.14 goals-against average and .898 save percentage.
He’s been picked for Team CHL to play the USA under-18 national team in the two-game CNHL USA Prospects Challenge in Ontario, Nov. 26-27.
Prince George native Cameron Schmidt, a right-winger for the Vancouver Giants, is ranked as a B prospect. The five-foot-seven, 157-pound Schmidt is tied with Portland’s Kyle Chyzowski atop the WHL scoring race, each with 19 points. Schmidt’s 12 goals leads the league.
Schmidt has also been selected for Team CHL for the Prospects Challenge.
Cougar forwards Jett Lajoie and Aiden Foster also made Central Scouting’s preliminary list, ranked as C prospects.
Lajoie, a second-year left wing from Winnipeg, ranks third in team scoring with seven goals and five assists in 13 games with the Cats. He’s listed at five-foot-11, 177 pounds.
Foster, also a left wing, has three assists in 13 games and is better known around the league for his physical play and defensive prowess. He stands six-foot-two and weighs 174 pounds.
The Cougars are back on home ice this weekend to take on the Victoria Royals in a weekend doubleheader at CN Centre. Game time Friday is 7 p.m, while Saturday’s game starts at 6.
Coming off a 6-3 loss Tuesday in Kamloops, the Royals (6-2-1-1) are just one point behind Prince George.
