The Kamloops Blazers have one of their top forwards heading off to NCAA hockey next fall. It’s the first commitment of a player to NCAA on the Blazers roster who has not wrapped up their WHL eligibility.
Nathan Behm has committed to Arizona State University to play with the Sun Devils for the 2026–27 season according to a post made on his personal Instagram account.
He is set to enter his 18 year-old season with the Blazers in a few weeks. He was a third round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, 66th overall at the NHL draft this summer. Last season he put up 31 goals while adding 35 assists for 66 points in 59 games. If he signs an NHL entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in the next year, it would void his NCAA eligibility.
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Blazers originally drafted the Calgary, AB native 13th overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
The Blazers hope Behm can be one of their offensive leaders this season ahead before departing to the NCAA. He recently toured Arizona State University among a few other schools before making his decision.
Since new rules were implemented, allowing Canadian Major Junior Hockey players to maintain their NCAA eligibility, the CHL has seen an influx of top players make NCAA commitments. The biggest one being Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers who committed to Penn State University for the fall. The 18 year-old is regarded as the consensus 1st overall pick in next summer’s NHL Entry Draft.
