Brayden Klimpke

Brayden Klimpke
Rankings
Other THW Draft Profiles
Brayden Klimpke – NHL Draft Projection
Quotables
Strengths
Under Construction – Improvements to Make
NHL Potential
Awards/Achievements
Interviews/Links
Brayden Klimpke Stats
Videos

2025–26 Team: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Date of Birth: Oct. 8, 2007
Place of Birth: Calgary, AB
Height: 6-foot-0, Weight: 174 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Defence
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings: 74^th (among NA skaters)
Dobber Prospects December Ranking: Honourable Mention
Elite Prospects: 119^th
McKeen’s Hockey: 197^th
Gabriel Foley/Recruit: 172^nd
Sam Tirpak/Pro Hockey Group: Honourable Mention

Brayden Klimpke is a smooth-skating, two-way defenceman who surprised many with his rapid development this season. At just 17 years old, he was the Saskatoon Blades’ best defenceman throughout 2025-26, finishing fifth on the team with 46 points in 68 games while serving as the team’s assistant captain. He had big shoes to fill after the departure of several key defencemen, but his mobility, awareness, and offensive presence gave Saskatoon a player they could rely on throughout the season.

A year ago, that didn’t look like the case. As a rookie with the Saskatoon Blades in 2024-25, Klimpke finished with 26 points in 56 games. His offensive instincts were there, and he was usually in the right position to continue the cycle and maintain possession, but he lacked the strength to force opponents off the puck, and his shot from the blue line lacked power. He had potential thanks to his intelligence and mobility, but he had a long way to go before getting there.

Brayden Klimpke Saskatoon Blades — Brayden Klimpke, Saskatoon Blades (Steve Hiscock / Saskatoon Blades)

Then came the 2025-26 season. Klimpke arrived at training camp an inch taller and 11 pounds heavier, and it was almost as though fans were looking at a new player. He was always a good skater, but he moved even more effortlessly with a stride reminiscent of former teammate Tanner Molendyk. Klimpke was also significantly stronger; his shot packed a punch and rattled the boards, and he could easily push opponents off the puck to re-establish possession. His change impressed his teammates so much that they chose him to be one of the team’s alternate captains, an honour rarely bestowed on a 17-year-old.

But Klimpke isn’t an average 17-year-old. He plays a very smart game, using positioning and an active stick to break up plays, and has shown excellent timing on when he engages. He’s excellent in transition, too, possessing the skill to carry the puck into the offensive zone with speed or hustle back to help out his goalie. He still needs to add more strength to his game, which will help him up his defensive game even more, but based on what we’ve seen so far from him, that should come quicker than expected.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Brayden Klimpke – NHL Draft Projection

Undersized defencemen have a longer path to the NHL, which often is reflected in their draft position. Klimpke, who is listed at 5-foot-11.5, is ranked higher than Adam Valentini, Landon Amrhein, and Lars Steiner on Central Scouting’s Final Ranking, but will likely be drafted outside the top 100. However, if teams are paying attention, he should be an early fourth-round pick.

Quotables

“[He’s] been super impressive. I was saying to a couple of people, I thought the last game we played here at home against PA was the best game I’ve seen him play. He was unbelievable; he was carrying the puck, but he was also defending really hard. Right now, he’s not the biggest guy – he’s still growing into his frame – but he’s getting a little meat into his game. He’s still playing the puck, playing that skilled game, but also defending really hard. I remember his first camp here, he was just a little guy, and we were looking around going, ‘Who is this guy?’, and now he’s 6-feet, and he’s a good player. It’s been super cool to see, and I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.” Tyler Parr, Saskatoon Blades captain

“An intelligent, smooth-skating defenseman with a refined two-way game. Klimpke is currently producing at just under a point per game, and has a tendency to make the game look easy. He is calm in possession, always keeping his head up to read the game. His transition defence is highly effective, utilizing an active stick and hip-checks to drive attackers to the outside, while demonstrating a willingness to play the body on dump-ins. Klimpke is decisive and dynamic on offence, while still being patient enough to wait for lanes to open and plays to develop. He is highly effective on the power-play and is more than capable of walking the blue line.” Collin Wilcox, Dobber Prospects

“Klimpke is an offensive threat any time he is in the zone, with or without the puck. One of the better parts about his game is how well he sees the ice, able to distribute to players that do not even look open. Showed tonight that he is capable of handling the puck under pressure and snapping clean, controlled breakout passes to start transition. There is finesse in his game, he showed poise with the puck in motion and can facilitate from up high in the offensive zone when plays extend. Defensively, his effectiveness starts from anticipating routes and reacting. He takes good angles, reads developing plays quickly, and cuts off options before they have a chance to develop.” Neutral Zone

Strengths

Excellent skater
Patience and calmness under pressure
Intelligence with and without the puck

Under Construction – Improvements to Make

Still needs to add more strength and physicality
Continue to improve in the defensive zone

NHL Potential

Klimpke projects as a reliable third-pair defenceman with the ability to move up the lineup for short periods, similar to the Ottawa Senators’ Jordan Spence. Both are smart, mobile, two-way defenders who make their teams better despite playing limited minutes, but are more than capable of handling tougher assignments than expected. It may take Klimpke some time to get there, but a patient team is sure to be rewarded in the future.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk – 4/5, Reward – 3/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offence – 6.5/10, Defence – 6/10