Blazers forwards Behm and Lafreniere both taken in 3rd round of NHL draft

A pair of Kamloops Blazers came off the board in the third round of the NHL draft today.

Nathan Behm and Tommy Lafreniere were taken around 40 minutes apart by a pair of the league’s more historic organizations.

With the 70th pick at the 2025 NHL Draft, #NYR are proud to select Sean Barnhill. pic.twitter.com/FeIF9AalQi

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 28, 2025

First, it was the Chicago Blackhawks selecting Behm 66th overall, which was the second pick in the third round.

After registering 31 points in his rookie year, the Calgary product exploded with 31 goals and 66 points in 59 games on a rebuilding Blazers team this past season.

"I think I’m a smart, skilled winger,” Behm said during a media availability after being picked. “I bring a dual threat, goal scoring and playmaking. I think I have a lot of offensive upside and I’m big as well."

With the 83rd-overall pick, the #Oilers have selected forward Tommy Lafreniere from @blazerhockey of @TheWHL! #NHLDraft | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Tumns90V8N

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 28, 2025

Lafreniere came off the board toward the end of the round, as the Oilers made him the 83rd overall selection.

Born in Montreal, Lafreniere grew up in British Columbia spending his winters in Whistler and summers on Hornby Island.

He made an immediate impact during his first full WHL season, scoring 24 goals and adding 32 assists in 68 games.

With the 70th pick at the 2025 NHL Draft, #NYR are proud to select Sean Barnhill. pic.twitter.com/FeIF9AalQi

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 28, 2025

Also drafted in round three was Sean Barnhill, as the hulking 6'5" defenseman was taken by the New York Rangers four picks after Behm at 70th overall.

While Barnhill hasn’t played a game in Kamloops, the blue liner with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints is a listed prospect for the club.

He’s committed to Northeastern University, but there’s a chance he chooses to join the Blazers in the fall instead of going the NCAA route.

_{Thumbnail photos courtesy of the Kamloops Blazers.}