Will Sharpe (D, L, 6’0″, 195, Kelowna Rockets, 03/07/2007)
Will Sharpe is a high-minute, puck-moving defenseman with clear top-four upside at the next level if he rounds out his game. His offensive toolkit—skating, vision, and poise—sets him apart among WHL defenders in this draft class. However, his decision-making without the puck, defensive zone off-puck coverage, and play under pressure remain inconsistent and in need of polish. The profile is that of a high-risk, high-reward pick: a player with legit NHL mobility and offensive projection but with question marks tied to defensive awareness, risk management, and game-to-game consistency.
Why Will Sharpe Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Offensive Skating and Breakout Puck Skills
Sharpe excels when the puck is on his stick. His 22:35 average TOI indicates how heavily relied upon he is and he is an offensive transition machine. He’s a very strong skater with plus edgework and deceptive puck control at the offensive blue line. His ability to walk the line, delay, or manipulate forecheckers allows him to generate offense without forcing plays. He ranks among the best in the WHL for defensemen in:
Shots per game (4.4)
Pre-shot passes (0.92)
Takeaways (8.0)
Game processing (2.4 pucks recovered after shots/game)
2) Elite Anticipation and Retrieval Game
Sharpe ranks in the elite tier for takeaways (8.0) and loose puck recoveries (2.4). He reads the ice exceptionally well and is often the first player to recognize where plays are developing. His ability to retrieve pucks under pressure and re-attack or delay for support is pro-caliber.
3) High-End Passing Ability
He completes 89% of his passes, and he’s effective at delivering crisp, flat, and well-timed breakouts. His 0.92 pre-shot passes per game reflect his ability to contribute as an opportunity generator in the offensive zone and make smart plays from the point.
4) Offensive Mindset & Power Play Contributor
Sharpe plays on a top unit in Kelowna and logs 2:44 per game on the PP, where his shooting mentality and ability to walk the blue line create second and third scoring layers. He contributes meaningful primary offense.
5) Toughness & Grit
He initiates physically (1.2 H+ per game), doesn’t shy away from contact, and plays with bite. Despite being an offensive defenseman, he engages in 11 puck battles per game and wins a high-end 56%, showing he doesn’t avoid the dirty areas. He’s also willing to block shots (1.15 BL/game).
Why Will Sharpe Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Defensive Inconsistency & Risk Management
Sharpe has a habit of overcommitting on offense, jumping into plays without sufficient defensive support, which leads to odd-man rushes against. His -41 since the trade is not solely on him, but it reflects consistent defensive breakdowns, missed reads, and attempts at high risk zone exits. In recent games, he’s been guilty of soft clears, puck watching, and circling instead of making direct defensive reads.
2) Shot Selection and Efficiency
His 1.15 blocked shots and 0.98 misses per game — simply poor shot selection and limited deception from the blue line. Though he fires often (4.4 attempts/game), only half reach the net (2.3 SOG/game), which often kills possession momentum on the PP.
3) Undisciplined with the Puck at Times
Sharpe is turnover-prone when pressured. His 5.3 giveaways/game is far too high, especially for a defenseman logging heavy minutes. He sometimes tries to do too much, overhandling or forcing east-west plays when a simple outlet is available.
4) Still Lacks Identity in Defensive Role
While capable of logging big minutes, Sharpe does not yet project as a shutdown defender or penalty killer at the next level. He plays 1:11 per game on the PK, but his impact is minimal. He’s not yet positionally sound enough to anchor playing against top lines.
Projection & Fit
Player Type: Offensive puck-moving defenseman with top-four potential
NHL Projection: Bottom-pair transitional defender with upside as a PP2 quarterback
Sharpe’s combination of mobility, offensive instinct, and minutes logged make him one of the more intriguing WHL defenders available in the 2025 class. He must improve defensively—particularly in stop-start reads, off-puck coverage awareness, and shot filtering—before he can be trusted in NHL systems. But the upside is real for a team willing to be patient with his development curve.
Draft Recommendation: Rounds 3–5
Sharpe is a worthwhile draft bet in the middle rounds. Teams that value mobility, offensive touch, and compete from the back end should be drawn to his upside. With pro coaching another year in the WHL and 2 seasons in the AHL, he could round out into a modern-day two-way NHL defenseman.