The Canadian Hockey League is introducing a new annual CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, where top draft-eligible prospects will face off against USA Hockey’s National Development team in a two-game series beginning in November. The series, announced by the CHL, will rotate between the Ontario, Quebec Maritime, and Western hockey leagues, with this year’s games taking place in London and Oshawa on Nov. 26-27.
CHL President Dan MacKenzie highlighted the significance of having top 17- and 18-year-old players from both countries competing against each other, emphasizing the value of showcasing the best young talent in head-to-head matchups outside of the World Junior Championships. The majority of the CHL’s roster for the series will be selected by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau.
The USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), established in 1996, serves as a development program for top American junior players. Alumni of the program include NHL No. 1 draft picks like Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews, and Jack Hughes. The CHL-USA Prospects Challenge replaces the CHL’s annual top-prospects game and the Canada-Russia Challenge, offering a new platform for competitive junior hockey matchups.
The launch of the challenge series coincides with potential shifts in North America’s junior hockey landscape, as NCAA Division 1 programs consider lifting their ban against CHL players. A recent social media announcement by Western Hockey League player Braxton Whitehead committing to Arizona State adds to the ongoing discussions around CHL players transitioning to U.S. college hockey.
Amid considerations regarding the NCAA eligibility ban for CHL players, CHL President Dan MacKenzie emphasized the league’s commitment to providing a development pathway for young players looking to pursue academic or athletic opportunities. The CHL remains focused on its role as a premier source of talent for the NHL, aiming to support players in their career aspirations.
