Whitalaw is quietly becoming one of the Blue Jackets’ developing prospects – Hockey Writers – Black Jackets
William Whitelaw is becoming one of the most improved prospects in the Columbus Blue Jackets System this season. Among their nine NCAA prospects, including names like Jackson Smith and Cayden Lindstrom, Whitelaw made one of the biggest hills in development.
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft in the 66th overall, Whitalew was selected by the Blue Jackets during the Jarmo Kekäläinen Era. Now in his third Ceeliagegiate season, he has taken a noticeable step forward in defending the National Champion Weational Western Michigan Broncos, becoming a key contributor to one of college hockey’s most beautiful roses.
Third season, third school
He is in his third year of college now and has spent time at three different schools so far. He started at the University of Wisconsin after his last season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the young phantoms, where he put up 61 points. At Wisconsin, he recorded 17 points in 37 games played. After this, he transferred to the University of Michigan, where he put up 18 points in 35 games played. He then transferred again to Western Michigan after the 2024-25 season.
When asked what led him to choose Western Michigan after going through the previous two programs, Whitalelaw said the decision focused on development and long-term goals.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, I’m lucky that I went to three schools in three years, but that’s when the opportunity to play ends. And, it’s obvious why I came here.”
The Broncos sit at 9-5-0 overall two months into the season. However, they didn’t start the season the way they wanted, including a home loss to Ferris State earlier this season that they had no business losing to. But now they are in the National Hockey Conference (NCHC) playing and looking to go back.
Part of the past challenges for Head Coach Pat Ferschweiler and his staff have been returning key offensive pieces after losing top scorers Alex Bump and Tim Washe. While many key contributors are returning from the national championship team, those people have opened up some holes in the Broncos’ forward team, gaps that new additions like Whital are expected to help fill.
High productivity
Whitalew has been playing on the Broncos’ top line at Speedy Top with Wing Wing, skating alongside center Owen Michaels and wing Ty Henricks. Henricks was sent to that position about a month into the season, and since then, the TRIO has developed some chemistry on the offensive line.
He has taken it in a major field of note this season. Whitalew averaged 17:39 of ice time, a large portion of which came from his role last season at Michigan. According to CollehoceKeynews.com, he has the second highest chip score on the Subern Michigan Roster at 22.9, behind only Slukynsky’s 24.3.
He is second on the team in scoring with 13 points, including seven goals and a career-high six. When I saw him play against the Miami Redhawks in Kalamazoo, he finished the weekend with three points with two goals and an assist. One of the goals came from tapping home an open puck on the side of the net. One big thing I’ve noticed is how he gets in front of the net more often and positions himself well on the man advantage.
Related: Western Michigan ends sweep with 6-2 win over Miami
WhitaleW is back in the top power play unit and is one of the most aggressive shooters in it. His Wrist Shot is one of the best on the team, and he’s not afraid to let it go when he has space. In the Miami series, I thought he might have put a few more pucks on goal instead of waiting for a perfect look, but he still creates chances, and his passing/cycling remains a clear strength.
WhitaleW works in all three areas, and is a small forward, gets back well, uses his speed and lifting sticks to disrupt opponents at times.
Whitalelaw said one of his biggest focuses this season has been revolving around his two-way game.
“I’d say my 200-foot game and I’m more consistent. I think consistency is a big thing for me. And coming here, they’re preaching a lot better, and they’re trying harder to get better.
Earlier in the season, against the state of ST.
Through 14 games, he leads the Broncos in shots on goal with 69, ahead of the closest Valente (Liam Valente with 52). He also had one shorthanded goal and two game-winning goals. His discipline has been strong, too, with five minor penalties in 10 minutes this season.
Having played in both the 10s and nchc, Whitelaw has seen how different the two events are.
“Yeah, I think it’s a little harder to look at in the NCHC. In the Big Ten, there’s a little more space. But other than that, nothing crazy.”
He also talked about his experience at the blue coat development camp this past summer and what happened to him the third time there.
“Yeah, I mean, it was really cool. Meeting new prospects and being something restored, it was really cool to see the kids that were going to be built, and it was really cool.”
WhitaleW is currently a 20-year-old Junior and turns 21 in the spring before the end of the season. The only real knock on his build is his size at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, and how that will translate at the level remains to be seen. Nevertheless, a number of incanees have made and impact at the NHL level.
Hopefully he will be signed to an entry-level contract this season and perhaps begin his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL). I see him as a depth forward at the NHL level or an everyday amber, but his early development suggests he’s still some level of reach down the road.
