There are six young hockey players in the running, and one of them is 16-year-old Vancouver Giants defenceman Ryan Lin.

The Richmond product now holds the Giants all-time record for points by a rookie defenceman, regardless of age.

He also had the third-most productive rookie season by any Giants skater, trailing only Gilbert Brule (60 points, 2003-04) and Cameron Schmidt (58 points, 2023-24).

These are just a few of the distinctions that earned him a spot on the Western Hockey League's (WHL's) shortlist for the best rookie of the past season.

He also recorded 53 points in his first WHL season, becoming just the second rookie WHL defenceman aged 16 or younger to hit the 50-point mark in 35 years. Lin joined Everett鈥檚 Landon Dupont (60 points, 2024-25) as the only two to accomplish the feat since Hockey Hall of Famer and Kamloops Blazers legend Scott Niedermayer in 1989-90.

Lin's play in all situations really separated him from his peers, and this young man demonstrates maturity away from the puck, while logging more ice-time than any other rookie in the WHL. 

In a league context, Lin also led all rookie skaters with 48 assists and 23 power play assists this season. His 53 points ranked him fifth among all WHL rookie skaters.

The 5-foot-11, 171 lb. blueliner was originally selected by the Giants in the first round (6th overall) of the 2023 WHL prospects draft. He was also named the WHL rookie of the week on Jan. 20.

In addition to his successes on ice for the Giants, Lin also registered a goal and an assist to help Canada White claim gold at the 2024 World U17 Challenge.

WHL general managers vote on the league鈥檚 major awards, including the Jim Peggott Memorial Trophy winner, which is given to the league's top rookie.

Other nominees in contention are Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders), Lukas Sawchyn (Edmonton Oil Kings), Cooper Williams (Saskatoon Blades), Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips), and Keaton Verhoeff (Victoria Royals).

This represents a return to the conference awards format, rather than divisional, for the first time since 2019-20.

Winners of the 2025 WHL awards will be announced between April 22 through May 7.

The Giants are currently in round one of the WHL playoffs, taking on the Spokane Chiefs. As of Thursday, April 3, with three games under their belt, they were trailing 2-1 in the series.