Projecting the roster for the first ever CHL USA Prospects Challenge

Scouting season is in full swing with regular-season action well underway across the world. In North America, NCAA play began last week, while the three CHL leagues have been playing for the better part of a month. The USHL has also completed its first month of competition. As scouts travel the globe looking for the next cohort of NHL talent, they will be diverted to Ontario (London and Oshawa) at the end of November. For the first time ever, the CHL and USA Hockey will come together for a two-game series known as the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. 

The two-game set will feature the U.S. National Team Development Program, or the centralized version of the best American-born players in the United States against the best first-year draft eligible players playing in the CHL. The CHL roster may include a small number of European or American-born players that are playing in either the QMJHL, OHL, or the WHL. Game 1 will take place in London, Ont., on Nov. 26th, while Game 2 will be played in Oshawa, Ont., the next night. 

The USNTDP team will utilize it’s regular-season coaching staff, while the CHL has collaborated with Hockey Canada to assemble its staff. The CHL will be coached by the same group that won gold at the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky tournament in August in Edmonton. Kelowna’s Kris Mallette will be assisted by Gordie Dwyer of Acadie-Bathurst and Ryan Oulahen of North Bay. 

Assuming that a large chunk of the CHL roster will be made up of players from that gold-medal winning team, the coaching staff will be able to quickly get Team CHL on the same page, with familiar messaging from the the summer. USA Hockey does not have the same issue as its players and staff work together all season long.

In years past, CHL draft-eligible players spent the first half of the season competing for one of 40 spots on two rosters for a single game played in January. Conversely, the USNTDP would compete against the best USHL players (not always draft eligible) in a single game in Plymouth, Mich., in January. Scouts would attend both events, with the CHL typically offering a more competitive game and comprehensive on- and off-ice testing results. The All-American game would offer a one-game showdown and little else, and often the competition was less than desirable for scouts, despite being a mandatory event on the schedule. 

With the announcement of a three-year agreement between the CHL and USA Hockey, scouts will now get to settle in for two games of what everyone anticipates will be a hotly contested series. The rules are set up to decide and outright winner. 

The NCAA allowing major junior players onto their teams has been much debated over the last year and a half, but it is well on the way to happening. Many anticipate a November vote that will get approval for August 2025, although nothing has been made official. 

We know that the projected first-overall pick from our October rankings is James Hagens, who is playing in the NCAA at Boston College, although Jason’s recent piece suggests Hagens will have some competition along the way. 

With the announcement of the CHL Top Prospects roster expected early next week, Jason and I have put our heads together to try and project what the team might look like.

GOALIES (2)
Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads) Was unflappable in the summer and is off to a great start for a team expected to contend for a league title. Ivankovic has great feet. He’s very quick moving side to side, tracking the play in front of him to make saves.

Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars) Undrafted in the WHL, he came out of nowhere last year and many project he will be the first goalie off the board. He gives shooters a different look as a goalie who catches with his right hand.  

DEFENCE (6)
Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters) Should be back in time to get a month’s worth of games under his belt before the series. Was Canada’s captain in Edmonton. Schaefer is the kind of defender who can eat minutes in all situations.

Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts) A throwback player who can sprinkle in some offence. He will be at his physical best against the Americans.

Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans) Has pizzazz in his game and is a bit of a wild-card when it comes to his offensive abilities. 

Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil KIngs) The son of ex-NHLer Vernon is a big rig who skates like the wind. He played for the U.S. team at the Hlinka, so he will want to make his mark against known competition. Fiddler can be used in a variety of roles and uses his size to push back physically.

Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers) Is a solid two-way D-man who continues to learn on the job. He’s a big part of the youth movement in Kitchener.

Reese Hamilton (Calgary Hitmen) Hamilton suited up for Team Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer and impressed with his skating ability and puck movement. The two-way defenceman has the ability to escape pressure and launch the attack.

Forwards (12)
Malcolm Spence (Erie Otters) Sneaky good with the details in his game. He may not be a massive point producer, but he can play in all situations and with high-end pace.

Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings) Assuming he’s back from injury, he will draw major attention because of his size/skill combination.

Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats) Likely the first Q player off the board at the draft. Desnoyers is a threat to create offence off the rush. He has great vision and playmaking upside.

Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads) He can play both a power and a skill game. Martone leans shooter more than distributor and gives opponents all they can handle along the wall and in the middle of the ice in the offensive zone.

Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit) Exceptional-status player doesn’t want to be forgotten. Misa is off to a fantastic start to the year in Saginaw. He plays the game with reliable detail and has been showing off his pace and goal scoring upside.

Émile Guité (Chicoutimi Saguneens) Should be the second Q player off the board in Round 1 in June. The Q has been shut out of the first round the last two years but they are poised for a bounce back year. Guité is especially adept at finding pucks and creating offence.

Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs) Solid two-way game with an expected uptick in offence this season.

Cameron Schmidt (Vancouver Giants) Undersized skill forward who’s different than other smaller prospects from the past. Schmidt isn’t a pure burner/playmaker. He has the hockey sense to find quiet ice and rip pucks. Schmidt leans goal scorer. He’s on pace for over 40 goals in the WHL.

Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals) NHL scouts appreciate these kinds of players. Reschny never goes away. He hunts pucks, creates turnovers, and provides consistent compete.

Brady Martin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) Undercover skill, good speed and strong as an ox.

Justin Carbonneau (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) Carbonneau exploded out of the blocks to start his season in the QMJHL. He’s another top prospect for the league. Carbonneau attacks with pace on straight lines. He has a shoot-first approach offensively.

Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds) Cootes brings a combination of tenacity and skill. He plays with energy and detail. He’s not a pure point producer but he makes people around him better with his approach to the team game.