Cayden Lindstrom named CHL’s top prospect for 2024 NHL Draft
Cayden Lindstrom is the Canadian Hockey League’s top prospect.
Lindstrom was named recipient of the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award, recognizing the top prospect eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft.
The 18-year-old, No. 8 in FCHockey’s Final ranking for the 2024 draft, netted 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists) in 32 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League this season. He’s the highest-ranked player from the Canadian Hockey League according to NHL Central Scouting.
“It means quite a bit,” Lindstrom told media after netting the award. “Looking at the trophy and seeing all the huge names on there, being able to win that trophy means a lot to me. It’s honestly just an honor to win it.
“Obviously I missed the whole second half, but still managing to win that trophy is a huge honor for me. It was a thrill to get up there and be presented the trophy.”
Lindstrom missed nearly four months after undergoing surgery to repair an upper-body injury sustained in December.
He edged out Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League and Maxim Masse of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League for the honor.
“The puck seems to follow [Lindstrom] around in the offensive zone due to his stick and body positioning, allowing him to intercept pucks and keep offensive possessions going below the hashmarks,” FCHockey crossover scout Brandon Holmes said. “Lindstrom forechecks well and plays unafraid of the dirty areas, showing a willingness to drive attacking lanes to the net to make himself available as a shooting threat or to draw in pressure from defenders before dishing the puck to a teammate.”