Justin Kipkie

September 2026 – Kipkie made the commendable decision to bypass a final WHL overage year and challenge himself at the NCAA level with Arizona State, posting 13 points in 35 games (a point total that may not adequately tell the story of what actually goes on at ASU with regards to prospect development). He has since transferred to the University of St. Thomas, where a more prominent role should better reflect his capabilities. His WHL resumé was outstanding – 62 points in 64 games as captain of Victoria in 2024-25, fifth among all WHL defensemen in scoring – and the offensive tools, particularly a booming point shot and above-average transition game, project to higher levels. Defensive awareness and physical engagement remain the gaps. At 6-3 with room to grow, there is legitimate NHL upside for a fifth-round pick. A dynasty watchlist name worth following at St. Thomas. Ryan Downey

July 2025 – Kipkie re-entered the NHL Draft and was selected 141st overall by the Minnesota Wild after not receiving an entry-level contract from the Utah Mammoth. Kipkie was the captain of the Victoria Royals in the Western Hockey League in 2024-25, where he produced 12 goals and 50 assists in 64 regular-season games. He would have been one of the WHL’s top overage players entering the 2025-26 season with the Royals, but has decided to pursue the NCAA route and will play for Arizona State University during the 2025-26 season.

Kipkie is one of six players Victoria lost this offseason to the NCAA who were eligible to play for them during the 2025-26 season, two of whom committed to the University of North Dakota: 2026 draft-eligible defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and a 2025 first-round pick (18th overall) by the Calgary Flames forward Cole Reschny. The other three were San Jose Sharks 2024 fifth-round pick (143rd overall), Nate Misskey, who will play at UMass Lowell; Teydon Trembecky, who is headed to Michigan Tech; and Johnny Hicks, who will attend the University of Denver.

Kipkie is a name to watch in the NCAA and track his development. Choosing the NCAA over a final year in the WHL will challenge him against bigger, stronger, and more experienced players. If he can continue to produce offensively at the NCAA level, when he is ready to turn pro, he could help him become a fantasy asset in the future. Mark Henry

April 2025- One of the top-scoring defensemen in the WHL, Kipkie looks like a possible steal, being drafted out of the fifth round of the 2023 NHL draft. Playing for the Victoria Royals, team captain Kipkie scored 12 goals and 50 assists in 64 games. A career high in assists and points, he finished fifth in scoring among WHL defenseman. It’s been impressive that his offensive production has increased, not dipped, despite an increased focus on him playing more defensively. Even though he has good size (6-3, 207 lbs), Kipkie does not play very physical, relying more on his hockey sense and stick to break up plays. Utah has been pleased to see him put more effort into going back harder on retrieval and being more engaged in battles. While play in his zone is still a work in progress, offense has not been a problem for Kipkie. Primarily a shooter, he loads up for one-timers with his booming shot from the point. Always engaged in the neutral zone, Victoria has relied on him to run their power play the past two years. This season, he’s regularly averaged 27-28 minutes per game. Keith Duggan