Benjamin Kindel – 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Benjamin Kindel

2024-25 Team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Date of Birth: April 19, 2007
Place of Birth: Coquitlam, BC, CAN
Height: 5-foot-10, Weight: 176 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2025 first-year eligible

Rankings

Benjamin Kindel is one of the more interesting prospects who will be available in June. His numbers rank near the top of the WHL, yet he’s not one of the headliners for the 2025 class. Is there a reason why the skilled and high-scoring forward is consistently ranked toward the bottom half of the first round, or does he have the potential to be a steal?

Related: THW’s 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Through 63 games, Kindel has 34 goals and 64 assists for 98 points and a plus-41 rating. He is the only WHL player in his draft year scoring at least 1.50 points per game. He ranks seventh in both assists (1.02) and points (1.56) per contest. While production isn’t the only important factor to consider when evaluating a prospect, it’s often indicative of their on-ice abilities. Players don’t score a lot for no reason.

In Kindel’s case, there’s clearly some talent. He’s an excellent creator, evidenced by the fact that he’s one of the top assist-generators in the WHL. He’s frequently putting his Calgary linemates in positions to score, whether that be off the rush or inside the offensive zone. Kindel is surrounded by some great players, no doubt, but he’s helping to activate them. His smooth skating complements his playmaking, especially at 5-on-5.

In addition to his offensive upside, Kindel is willing to backcheck and help out in his own zone. He may be small, but he engages in board battles (and isn’t half bad at them, either). He plays at even strength, the power play, and the penalty kill for his awareness in all facets of the game.

Kindel’s awareness is a point worth expanding on. When he doesn’t have the puck, he’s able to get to the high-danger areas. He’s a constant threat on offense in that way. Coupling that with defensive responsibility, Kindel’s got some smarts to his game.

Sign up for our NHL Prospects & Draft Substack newsletter

While listed as a center on his WHL player page, Kindel might be better suited as a winger at the professional level. However, the possibility of being a center shouldn’t be entirely overlooked. He’s won 54.25% of his draws this season.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Benjamin Kindel – NHL Draft Projection

For all his gifts, Kindel isn’t likely to be a lottery pick. Instead, the best bet here is that he settles on being taken in the late teens or the early 20s of the opening round. He’d be a nice consolation prize for any playoff team that didn’t quite achieve their Stanley Cup aspirations.

Quotables

“Kindel brings a lot of versatility to his game. He’s competitive, has a strong work ethic, offensively driven, shows great smarts and decision making and positioning away from the puck. He’s always following the play and is always in position to break up a play or create an opportunity. He’s effective in all three zones and is a difference maker every time.” – Peter Baracchini, The Hockey Writers

“Extremely intelligent player who rarely takes a shift off. There’s a little Brayden Point in Kindel. He thinks the game at an elite level and, at the same point in their careers, their skating looks a little awkward.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet

“Kindel is a dual-threat offensive player. He’s equally good as a shooter and a playmaker and is the driving force of Calgary’s attack. Kindel does a great job of finding open space and exploiting it and he has a shot he can unleash from just about anywhere.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Strengths

• Playmaking
• Skating is key for creating off the rush
• Two-way awareness
• Plays in all situations
• Engages in board battles

Under Construction – Improvements to Make

• Small frame
• Might not be a center at the professional level

NHL Potential

It’s not often you can say it for players selected in the range Kindel is likely to go, but he has the upside to become a star in the NHL. If all goes well, perhaps he can be someone who consistently puts up 60-70 points each season with a decent two-way game to boot. This is perhaps a generous claim, but the skill is present to make it happen. There’s a relatively high reward here without significant risk.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk – 2/5, Reward – 4.5/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense – 8/10, Defense – 6/10

Awards/Achievements

• 2022-23 CSSHL U18 Top Freshman
• 2024-25 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal

Interviews/Links

Benjamin Kindel Stats

Videos

Ben Kindel is a big riser to look out for in the 10-15 range. His hockey sense is top-5 in the draft class.

Has consistently improved over his time in the WHL and has now become a playmaking machine with 61 assists in 57 GP.

Here are some recent ones.#2025NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/XFvQnzoXAd

— Ben Misfeldt 🇨🇦 (@BBMHockey) March 5, 2025