{"id":616235,"date":"2026-07-06T16:09:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T16:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/616235\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T16:09:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T16:09:14","slug":"columbus-blue-jackets-prospect-william-whitelaw-taking-major-steps-the-hockey-writers-columbus-blue-jackets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/616235\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbus Blue Jackets Prospect William Whitelaw Taking Major Steps – The Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Columbus Blue Jackets prospect who may be flying under the radar is William Whitelaw<\/a>, and he has developed a ton since the last time he was in Columbus for the Blue Jackets Development Camp<\/a> last July. He has become a more well-rounded player, and has significantly improved following his third Development Camp experience since being drafted 66th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. <\/p>\n

Though Whitelaw has bounced around to his third collegiate program in three years, he has settled in at Western Michigan where he had his best season<\/a> last year, and will return to Kalamazoo, Michigan for his senior season.<\/p>\n

He has all the tools necessary to be a producer at a minimum in AHL Cleveland, but also has a chance down the line to be a producer at the NHL level in Columbus one day too. The Hockey Writers had a chance to have a conversation with Whitelaw at Development Camp<\/a> in Columbus after the prospect game for the Stinger Cup on the final day.<\/p>\n

Whitelaw Believes in Growth of Two-Way Game<\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing I have really added is my 200-foot game this year. I was used in all situations, first (unit) penalty kill, first (unit) power play, first line, and relied on in all situations, and that is one thing, for me, going into this season that I still want to continue to build on,\u201d said Whitelaw. <\/p>\n

He was a massive reason why the Broncos were 27-11-1 this past season and finished in the NCAA Regional Final with a loss to Denver University, the eventual national champions. <\/p>\n

Western Michigan finished the year ranked sixth<\/a> in both the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) and USA Hockey\u2019s final polls of the season, and it also capped off the fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.<\/p>\n

One period in the books in the Stinger Cup, it\u2019s a 1-1 game. William Whitelaw steals a pass and takes it up the ice to score, then Josh Eernisse\u2019s centering pass deflected home to tie it. Pyotr Andreyanov with some solid goaltending for the White team. #CBJ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NwdX0qREBt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) July 2, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Whitelaw\u2019s combination of speed and and skillful hands makes him a threat both ways, but it is his ability to go into the gritty areas and win board battles that makes him stand apart from other prospects. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe game of hockey is won on the walls, and I think that is one thing I have struggled with in years past, especially defensively, and I think most games this year, like nine out of ten times I am making the right play on the wall,\u201d said Whitelaw. \u201cIf you make the right play on the wall you get into the offensive zone, and that is kind of where I take over. Doing that consistently is how you make it into the NHL.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whitelaw has picked up a big piece of the game he needed to add to his already well rounded offensive game. He is one of those prospects who could certainly turn heads and make his way into a gritty role as an NHL forward one day. <\/p>\n

Whitelaw\u2019s Game a Reminder of Young Stars<\/p>\n

Mark Scheig<\/a> of The Hockey Writers mentioned that Whitelaw\u2019s game reminded him of a certain Montreal Canadiens 50-goal scorer, and former Wisconsin Badger himself, Cole Caufield<\/a>. His size, speed, and lethal shot make Whitelaw look very similar to one of the NHL\u2019s best snipers. <\/p>\n

\u201cI see it a little bit, a little (Logan) Stankoven<\/a> too I think, I only need one shot to score, and that is one thing I have always had,\u201d said Whitelaw. His ability to place his shot and get it off quickly has added an element to his development that will make him a very fun prospect to monitor in the Blue Jackets system.<\/p>\n

If the Blue Jackets can continue to develop Whitelaw and unlock his full potential, they could have gotten one of the steals of the 2023 NHL Draft<\/a>, the same draft in which they drafted Adam Fantilli<\/a> at third overall.<\/p>\n

\"WilliamWilliam Whitelaw, Western Michigan Broncos (Photo credit: WMU Athletics)<\/p>\n

Whitelaw seems to rise against the competition he faces as well. When asked how the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), where he plays with Western Michigan, differentiates between the Big Ten, where he spent two seasons with Wisconsin and Michigan he spoke highly of both conferences. <\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, the NCHC is harder to score in for sure. Teams are a little older, a little stronger, and really well structured,\u201d said Whitelaw. \u201cThe Big Ten has a lot more high-end skill, a lot more 2-on-1\u2019s and 3-on-2\u2019s and odd man rushes, but both leagues lead you right to the NHL.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whitelaw was brilliant in the prospect game as well at Development Camp, he scored two goals and also added two more goals in the prospect shootout that followed the game that tied 3-3 in the Battle for the Stinger Cup. <\/p>\n

His skill was on full display, and Blue Jackets Development Coach Tommy Cross even commented on his improvements.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe (Whitelaw) has always had speed, he\u2019s always had energy, but he\u2019s applying those two traits in a more direct way now,\u201d Cross said. \u201cThe trust that he has gotten from his coaching staff, that he has earned, comes from his battle level and compete on pucks, and he has really grown to see the value in those things, even if they don\u2019t show up on the score sheet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whitelaw has put his best foot forward in his development, and is definitely one of the candidates to join the Blue Jackets at the completion of his collegiate season in Kalamazoo, amongst other NCAA players like Jackson Smith and Cayden Lindstrom. His main focus is on his season at Western Michigan, and the NHL is the next step after that. <\/p>\n

He would be another huge addition to the roster if he pans out, and the Blue Jackets could certainly use another big season out of Whitelaw. He will be a key player they keep<\/a> eyes on this season at the college hockey level, as the Broncos open their season with a game against Ferris State at home at Lawson Arena on October 8th.<\/p>\n

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