The CHL-USA Prospect Challenge: Opportunity to Shine
The ice hockey world is preparing for a key event that will take place in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta. The CHL-USA Prospect Challenge, to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, generates great expectation among NHL scouts and executives. This event represents a unique opportunity for young talents to make a lasting impression.
For many players, this will be one of the few occasions when an NHL general manager or assistant will observe them in action. Although teams rely on their scouting teams, impressing executives can be crucial in the draft selection process. Some players arrive with great momentum, while others seek to prove their worth in a field full of talent. It should be noted that this is the first season in which prospects have made the jump to the NCAA from the CHL, which means that Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff will not participate in the expected matchup between the best draft-eligible players in North America.Next, we analyze some players who could stand out in this two-match series, listed alphabetically by country.
Players to Watch
Ethan Belchetz, F, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Top prospect of the OHL draft, Belchetz has the opportunity to be the center of attention. Scouts already admire his 6-5 physique, which some compare to a rhino on skates. His ease of scoring goals and his ability to do so in key moments make him a player to watch.
In a game expected to be more closed than the OHL style, Belchetz can prove that he is one of the best offensive players in the draft class. This is an opportunity to take advantage of his physical prowess and ability to impress scouts and NHL executives. An outstanding performance could boost the belief that Belchetz can be an impactful power forward in the NHL.Alessandro Di Iorio, F, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Di Iorio hasn’t played much this season due to an injury, so this could be the first time many scouts and executives see him play in the 2025-26 season. With only six games played, Di Iorio is the only player per game on Sarnia’s roster. He is a play-driving center, accelerates the pace, facilitates the offense, plays a reliable defensive game, and has a developing physical game. His ability to finish plays has taken a notable step, and it will be interesting to see how he can impact the pace of the game when competing at a higher level. Di Iorio has the talent to be a top 20 pick and, given that he is a right-handed center, many scouts and executives will pay close attention to his ability to impact the game on both sides of the puck.JP Hurlbert, F, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
The WHL’s top scorer, averaging nearly two points per game, should play a significant role in the Prospect Challenge. He dominates the WHL, relying on his instincts, shots, and playmaking abilities. Scouts want to see increased speed and a willingness to make more difficult plays, rather than relying on his teammates to receive the puck and finish scoring opportunities. Hurlbert will need to play in more difficult areas, make connective plays, and improve his pace of play. Playing with a playmaker will showcase his ability to play with his teammates and finish scoring opportunities. Ultimately, his ability to create and finish opportunities is well known; being able to execute at a higher pace will be most important in the coming days.Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Many eyes will be on Lin, the right-handed, short-statured defenseman from Richmond, British Columbia, who is a one-man breakout machine. Offensively, Lin is a brilliant passer and offensive driver, with 28 points in 24 games with Vancouver. His ability to read the game in transition and get the puck to his teammates in the tightest passing lanes is impressive. Given the need to be a strong passer to succeed in the NHL, Lin is on everyone’s radar. His defensive game has taken a big step this season, something many scouts were monitoring. Lin is likely to play an important role in the two-game series. Showing that he can defend against his best counterparts, play in the difficult areas, and win battles will go a long way in solidifying himself in the top 10 conversation.Mathis Preston, F, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Preston possesses a dynamic skill, the kind that makes you get out of your seat. If he is at his best in the coming days, this event could serve as the moment he solidified himself in the conversation to be a top-15 pick in June. His skill is undeniable, with excellent skating and puck-handling ability. For an undersized forward, he plays well through contact. He can dazzle in the attack or in tight spaces with his hands, but he can also leave you wanting more when he tries to force plays or make blind passes. The scouts have noticed his increased physical involvement, and they expect to see a complete performance from Preston, one that includes his impressive offensive skills, as well as physical competitiveness and a strong off-ball game.
Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Rudolph is already ranked among the top 10 prospects in this season’s draft, and many NHL teams love his simple and effective style of play. He won’t make you jump out of your seat with dazzling offense or crushing physicality, but his ability to shut down the opponent’s best players every night is making his value skyrocket. He’s 6-3, right-handed, and is more than likely to be a defenseman who plays a lot of minutes and handles matchups in the NHL. There isn’t a single team that doesn’t need someone like Rudolph on their roster. Rudolph will play against the best offensive players in the USHL and, if you don’t see him in the highlights, it’s because the USHL couldn’t score while he was on the ice. If he keeps the USHL forwards quiet, he will be someone who will be talked about in the top 10 for the rest of the season.Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
A high-flying defenseman who is one of the most dynamic defenders in the draft class, Villeneuve will be impossible to miss. There is more skill, creativity, and confidence in Villeneuve than in most players, and his game reflects it. He will facilitate the offense, join the attack, and be an offensive weapon from the defense. How Villeneuve defends will likely be the key for scouts, because he has the offensive ability to be a top-10 pick. If Villeneuve can tilt the ice in favor of the CHL while avoiding costly turnovers, he is more likely to calm some of the skeptics. There are legitimate doubts about his ability to defend and minimize errors. Demonstrating that he can defend capably against his peers will raise his value given the amount of development he has left. The raw talent is there, and he is certainly one of the most exciting defenders in the draft class.Mikey Berchild, F, USNTDP Juniors
He’s not an imposing player by any means, but Berchild has one of the best shots in the draft class. Goalies have talked about how difficult it is to read the puck when it comes off his stick; it surprises them and that translates to the NHL. He’s a speedster with an excellent release and no one would be surprised to see him score on the rush, similar to [Phil Kessel](https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/_/id/3479/phil-kessel) in his prime. On top of that, Berchild’s puck skills are high-end, allowing him to play through defenders and create advantageous positions for himself. Berchild’s complete offensive package, led by his speed and elite shot, is sure to catch the eye of scouts as a player looking to enter first-round consideration. A standout performance against the top CHL draft eligibles would help in that case.Victor Plante, F, USNTDP Juniors
The NTDP’s top scorer has quite a few traits that will be familiar to scouts who watched his older brothers (Zam and Max) play in their draft-eligible seasons. He is an excellent playmaker with an elite sense of hockey. Those two traits made him one of the best players when facing more mature competition and should allow him to be a standout creator at the Prospect Challenge. He is smaller, but that doesn’t stop him from pressing tenaciously and forcing turnovers. It’s likely that Plante will play against the best defensemen in the CHL, which will present a challenge, as his work with the stick and his physical play will test Plante’s skills. If he is to be an NHL player in the middle tier, he needs to demonstrate the ability to stand out among his peers, particularly with regard to driving the offense.Luke Schairer, D, USNTDP Juniors
Schairer could be one of the few from the NTDP team selected in the first round of the draft and certainly seems to be the closest thing to a first-round player for the program this season. A big, right-handed defenseman, Schairer has good mobility and is rarely unbalanced. His composure with the puck stands out and there is room for him to develop an offensive game, particularly with the activation of the rush. There is a chance that Schairer could become a middle-pairing defenseman at the NHL level if he can continue to drive the play in transition and facilitate positive possession. It is intended to play important closing minutes against the best offensive forwards in the CHL, and keeping them at bay should increase his draft value heading into the second half of the season.
Blake Zielinski, F, USNTDP Juniors
Featured at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, Zielinski is a complete player with good offensive instincts. He lacks a standout, high-level skill, but in his favor is the fact that most of his skills are above average. He is versatile, playing both wing and center, winning battles, moving well, and making simple but effective plays. Scouts like his consistent work rate, his willingness to go to the difficult areas and make plays in traffic. Zielinski has a solid shot that can catch goalies off guard if he can put the puck in a timely spot. He is less of a playmaker and more of a complementary piece. To elevate his draft status, Zielinski needs to improve his physical play and his offensive driving ability. Making an impact and driving a line in this matchup would be a good step to improve his draft value.
