CHL USA Prospects Challenge
| CHL USA Prospects Challenge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Canada |
| Inaugurated | 2024 |
| Activity | Ice hockey |
| Organised by | Canadian Hockey League |
The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is an annual junior ice hockey series between the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. The two-game series showcases the talents of top prospects for the upcoming entry draft of the National Hockey League (NHL), in a collaborative effort with the NHL Central Scouting Bureau to select the participants.
Format
[edit]The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is an annual two-game series featuring the top NHL entry draft prospects from the CHL versus those from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.[1][2] CHL players for the game are chosen by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in consultation with NHL teams.[1]
A game after regulation time would see a five-minute 3-on-3 overtime period then a shootout if necessary. If the series is tied on points after two games, the teams would play 3-on-3 20-minute period(s) to determine the winner.[1] CHL president Dan MacKenzie felt that the new event would "[serve] as a best-on-best showcase [to] provide our top draft-eligible players from across the CHL with a great opportunity to demonstrate their elite talent and world-class skill set as they work towards hearing their name called at the NHL draft".[2]
2024 Kubota CHL USA Prospects Challenge
[edit]In the 2024 game, head coaches were Kris Mallette for the CHL, and Greg Moore for the USA.[1] Porter Martone was selected as the CHL captain; with Blake Fiddler, Matthew Schaefer, and Caleb Desnoyers as alternate captains.[1][3] This was the first head-to-head matchup between Canada and the USA since the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.[4]
The CHL team included three players expected to be top five picks in the 2025 NHL entry draft, and won both games of the series. ESPN opined that, "this was a dominant showing from Team CHL and shows the caliber of team they could send to the under-18 World Championships if every player was available for selection".[4] The CHL's top line of Martone, Desnoyers, and Michael Misa, led the scoring, with all three expected as top-10 draft picks. Jack Murtagh scored two of the three USA goals, and goaltender Harrison Boettiger was credited by ESPN for keeping the scores close.[4]
| 2024 Kubota CHL USA Prospects Challenge | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dates and location[1] | Game 1: November 26, Canada Life Place (London, Ontario)
Game 2: November 27, Tribute Communities Centre (Oshawa, Ontario) | |
| Game report[4] | Home | Away |
| Team | Canadian Hockey League | USA Hockey National Team Development Program |
| Coaches | Kris Mallette | Greg Moore |
| Game 1 score | 6 | 1 |
| Game 2 score | 3 | 2 |
See also
[edit]- CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, held until 2024
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Morreale, Mike G. (November 25, 2024). "Top 2025 NHL Draft prospects from CHL, U.S. NTDP ready to go head-to-head". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "CHL & USA Hockey announce CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota". Western Hockey League. June 26, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ "Leadership Group for Team CHL Revealed for 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge Presented by Kubota Canada". Our Sports Central. November 14, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Doerrie, Rachel (November 29, 2024). "Standout, surprises at the 2024 CHL-USA Prospects Challenge". ESPN. Retrieved December 13, 2024.