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Chicago Blackhawks
CarterSotheran
DAge: 21191 CM89 KGCAN CAN
64PNHLe
Carter Sotheran
NHLNHL Draft2023, PHI (135th overall)5th round, 7th pick
THLTHL Draft2023, CHI (110th overall)4th round, 14th pick

Projected potential

Bio

Transition specialist with surprising mobility and intelligence for his size. Developing consistency is key, but could be a fringe second-pair defenceman down the line.

PNHLe

Projected potential: 64 · 2nd Line Potential2025-26 · WHL · Portland Winterhawks Edmonton Oil Kings

What is PNHLe?

PNHLe is an offensive stat that is used to project a player’s point potential at the NHL level and is meant to standardize a variety of leagues so that prospects can be compared from one league with another.

PNHLe attempts to equalize all leagues, age and positions so that the offensive potential of a prospect can easily be compared with others, while also projecting future NHL point potential in the prime years of a player.

The problem with NHLe

The premise of the NHLe stat is certainly a great idea. If a player jumps directly from one league to the NHL there should be some precedent set by historical values that would indicate how many points that player should project to having in a full NHL season. However, it always bothered me that NHLe never took into account that younger players in the same league would always have a massive disadvantage compared to those that have more experience and are physically more mature in the same league. NHLe only looks at the present to predict how many points in one league are equated at the NHL level.

NHL Certainty
4.5
45% odds
Odds of becoming a full-time NHL player (10.0 = 100%). Draft guideline is a starting point and should rise as the prospect proves himself.
Upside
5.5
 
Best-case offensive upside (peak season points potential). Forwards: 8.0 ≈ 80 points. Defense and goalie scales differ.

Scouting Feed

The Philadelphia Flyers did not sign Sotheran to an entry-level contract as of June 1, 2025. He is an unrestricted free agent.

Sotheran was selected 135th overall by the Flyers.

Sotheran has a special skillset, which was difficult to fully grasp from a scouting perspective. Although he is a big body and can get involved defensively, his primary asset is how good he is in transition. This barely shows on the scoresheet, however, as his 23 points in 68 games for the Portland Winterhawks this past season don’t jump off the page.

Sotheran is exceptionally good at drawing pressure in and making plays through it. He has a very high threshold for panic, which allows him to keep a cool head in the midst of an opposing forecheck and find the right passing lane to diffuse that pressure and contribute to clean breakouts. He has a unique combination of size, intelligence, and composure, while showing a growing habit of hopping into rushes and activating from deep within the neutral zone. These remain flashes, however, and a lack of developed offensive skill still limits his game, but as a third or fourth-round option, Sotheran is a solid bet.



Career Stats
SeasonTypeLeagueTeamGPGAP+/-PIMPPGSHGSOG
2014-15RegularBrick InvitationalWinnipeg Jr. Jets (Brick)60002
2018-19RegularWAAA U15Pembina Valley Hawks U15 AAA3612203238
2019-20RegularWAAA U15Pembina Valley Hawks U15 AAA3614304438
2020-21RegularMU18HLPembina Valley Hawks U18 AAA41010
2021-22RegularMU18HLPembina Valley Hawks U18 AAA4120345442
2022-23RegularWHLPortland Winterhawks68419231454
2022-23PlayoffsWHLPortland Winterhawks9011-512
2023-24RegularWHLPortland Winterhawks661327404668
2023-24PlayoffsWHLPortland Winterhawks1447112014
2024-25RegularWHLPortland Winterhawks6662733-781
2024-25PlayoffsWHLPortland Winterhawks18691526
2025-26RegularWHLPortland Winterhawks3763137-1047
2025-26PlayoffsWHLEdmonton Oil Kings7066-10