Welcome to another WHL Best of the 2010s feature where we profile the best WHL players from the 2009-10 season all the way to the 2019-20 season. Players are judged based on what they did in each division. This means if a player spent time in multiple divisions, their placement will be judged based on what they did separately while in each division. Don’t forget to vote on our Twitter page, @WHLonA51 to help determine which player will be crowned the best WHL player of the 2010s. We hope you enjoy.
Originally selected second overall in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Jansen Harkins was phenomenal during his time with the Prince George Cougars from 2012-2017. He remains the franchise leader in assists and points and is only one of two players to be selected in the first two rounds of the NHL Draft while being a member of the Cougars.
After playing five games during the 2012-13 season, Harkins joined Cougars full time in 2013-14 registering 34 points in 67 games. He would finish 18th in rookie scoring across the WHL.
Harkins second full season is where he exploded as in 70 games, he finished with 20 goals and 79 points. His 59 assists that season still holds up as a franchise record to this day. He even caught the eye of Team Canada as he helped Gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial and Bronze at the U-18’s. Lastly, he was named part of the leadership group wearing an “A” during the season.
After being drafted by Winnipeg, Harkins returned to Prince George scoring a career high 24 goals and adding 57 points in 69 games. After his team was eliminated from the postseason in four games, he got his first opportunity in the AHL. During his six game stint with Manitoba, he tallied three points including a goal.
2016-17 was Harkins last season with the Cougars as he recorded 21 goals and 72 points in 64 games. He led the Cougars to their third straight postseason berth, but once again fell in the first round. Although there was not a ton of playoff success during his career, he is still arguably one of the best players in franchise history.