Benjamin KINDEL

Right Wing
5’10/176
Right
Calgary Hitmen/WHL

Related: Bill Zonnon

Benjamin Kindel is a promising hockey prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, he plays as a right winger for the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL and is known for his cerebral playmaking and puck-handling skills. At 5’10” and 176 lbs, Kindel combines smooth skating with strong offensive awareness, making him a consistent scoring threat. Kindel has put up impressive numbers, tallying 35 goals and 64 assists for 99 points in 65 games. 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. 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. His ability to activate teammates and create scoring chances has made him one of the top assist-generators in the WHL. Despite his offensive prowess, Kindel also engages in board battles and contributes defensively, showing a well-rounded game. 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. 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. 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. He’s projected to be a late first-round pick, with rankings placing him anywhere from late teens to early 20s.

Size/Strength Below Average Average
Skating Great
Shot/Scoring Great
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Average
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Below Great
Hockey Sense Great
Competitiveness Great

Strengths

1 Kindel is a cerebral passer who consistently finds teammates in high-danger areas. His ability to thread passes through tight lanes makes him a top assist-generator. His edge work and agility allow him to navigate through defenders effectively. He’s particularly strong at creating offense off the rush
2 Despite his offensive prowess, Kindel is responsible defensively, engaging in board battles and maintaining strong positioning in his own zone. – He plays in all situations—even strength, power play, and penalty kill—showing his hockey IQ and adaptability.
3 Scouts praise his relentless motor, noting that he’s a buzz saw type of player who quickly reacts to loose pucks and makes plays happen.

Areas of Improvement

1. While he’s not afraid to battle in tough areas, he’ll need to add muscle to withstand the physicality of the NHL.
2. His one-timer and snapshot are effective, but he could improve his shooting mechanics to become a more dangerous goal-scorer.
3. Though he’s played some center, scouts question whether he can translate that role to the NHL, given his size and faceoff ability

Scouting Report

Ben Kindel has been a revelation this year out of the WHL, asserting himself as one of the draft’s smartest players. Kindel pre-scans his decisions, runs effective routes, and positions himself inside lanes with terrific poise. He has some great defensive moments with excellent timing and a sneaky stick. Kindel uses his IQ to create offence for his teammates, delivering pucks between coverage for scoring chances. The pace he’s producing at is outstanding considering his meticulous 2-way approach. Kindel has the skating, puck skills, and brain for the NHL level and a limitless ceiling. Through 65 regular season games with the Calgary Hitmen, he scored 35 goals, 99 points, along with 8 goals and 15 points in 11 playoff games. 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. Kindel is an 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. He’s 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. His size and skating resemble Marchessault, as he’s a smaller forward with strong edge work and agility. He’s also relentless on the forecheck and plays with a high compete level. 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. 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.

Skill: Two Way Forward, with great Playmaking, skating, and defensive awareness

NHL Comparable: Jonathan Marchessault

NHL Potential: Top 6 Forward

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	Calgary Hitmen	WHL	68	15	60
2024-25	Calgary Hitmen	WHL	76	43	114
	Canada U18	WJC-18	5	1	7
	Canada U18	Hlinka Gretzky Cup	5	1	2