Meet the Team: Team CHL unveiled for the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge

For years, everyone – from fans to scouts – have desired an opportunity to watch the top CHLers go head-to-head with the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. 

Now, it's finally happening. The inaugural CHL USA Prospects Showcase takes place in November, providing an early look at how many of North America's top prospects are faring in what's expected to be a highly competitive, intense two-game series. 

If our first 2025 NHL Draft ranking is anything to go by, the CHL's roster is loaded. The CHL had 20 of the top 32 prospects, 18 of which will be taking part in this game. Though top-10 prospect Roger McQueen will miss the showcase due to injury, there's no shortage of top-10 talent who will suit up, including Michael Misa, Matthew Schaefer, Porter Martone, and Jackson Smith. 

The action takes place on November 26th and November 27th. 

As we wait, let's go player-by-player to get to know the CHL's roster.

Forwards

Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Earlier this month, the Elite Prospects scouting team ranked Carter Bear as No. 31 prospect in the class, but after several more impressive weekends, we're wishing we ranked him ten spots higher. Bear is a smart, physical winger with the pace, details, and defensive work rate to become a fan-favourite in the NHL. Growth as a skater, dynamic rusher, and playmaker has made Bear one of this draft's early breakout prospects, and now he could establish himself as a contender for the top 20 with a big showcase. 

Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

When it comes to highlight reel plays, Justin Carbonneau is right there with the top prospects in this draft. Though he's always looking to break out the 1-on-1 moves, he's even more skilled as a shooter and playmaker. He constantly masks his intentions, creating high-value lanes and creativity taking advantage of them. He runs the show in Blainville, but here, he will likely have to rely more on pace and playmaking to find success. Even though it's just two games, a smooth adjustment will quiet a lot of doubters. 

Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

It hasn't been easy in Seattle this year, but Braeden Cootes is always a factor no matter the score. He never takes the easy way out. He skates full speed into every battles, knocking defenders off balance and winning pucks on second and third efforts. Then, his vision and passing skill take over – few players can find the lanes that he does in open-ice, let alone while fending off pressure. This is a chance for Cootes to showcase what he can do in a more dynamic environment. Expect him to shine. 

Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Some players make a habit of winning. Caleb Desnoyers is one of them. In the span of nine months, the QMJHL pivot took home gold at the U17 and U18 World Championships before being crowned champions at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. The 6-foot-2 centre blends pro-level habits and awareness to be a coach’s dream most nights. He’ll want to maintain that reputation while flashing some high-level offensive traits at this event to further solidify his spot among the top 15 skaters in the class. 

Benjamin Kindel, C/RW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

After starting as a winger in the WHL, Benjamin Kindel made a mid-season switch to centre last year and has never looked back. With Kindel, it's all the details: subtle shoves to create space, perfectly timed poke checks, and tons of slick passes through opponents. Maybe he's back on the wing in this showcase because of the depth, but his defensive chops and details will still be invaluable. 

Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

Lynden Lakovic has been a steady improver through his WHL career, culminating with this blazing start in Moose Jaw. Now, he's a play-driver with dynamic crossovers, full-speed handling skill, shooting skill, and exciting playmaking. The latter has been the most impressive part of his game this season, and should make him one of the team's top players no matter where he lines up. 

Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

This team isn't short on hard-working, detailed centres, but Brady Martin brings a bit of a twist. For Martin, being in the right position at the right time isn't enough; he wants to wear opponents down with big hits and non-stop stick work. Once he gets the puck, he's both a highly deceptive playmaker and a gritty net-front scorer. He doesn't have the foot speed or pace of many others in this team, but he could be the perfect middle-six centre for the CHL. 

Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

Porter Martone is currently authoring one of the most productive starts to a draft-eligible season in recent memory. The 6-foot-3 winger sits top of the pile among CHL draft-eligible skaters with 10 goals and 20 points through nine games. He does the majority of his damage from inside the hash marks where all the magic happens. Toss in a heap of personality and leadership qualities and it won’t take much convincing from scouts to have him firmly among the top five options this year.

Michael Misa, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

No 2025 draft eligible has enjoyed a better start to the season than Michael Misa, who is well over a goal per game. Now, he's, at minimum, looking like a top-three prospect in this draft. He has everything: overwhelming pace, overpowering physicality, dual-threat creation skills, and defensive acumen. Though he's filling the net, the playmaking has been just as impressive, with many of his best sequences starting after a relentless forecheck and skillful physicality. Misa should be the shift-in, shift-out engine of this team. 

Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

From day one in the OHL, Jake O'Brien showed a level of maturity and discipline in his game unmatched by most players his years older. Though he might not have the dynamic, high-pace elements of other top prospects, he's an intelligent, pass-first centre. Few players find the seams that he does, and as soon as the puck leaves his stick, he's always ready for the return pass. Regardless of where he ends up in the lineup, his impact will be consistent. 

Cole Reschny, C, Victoria Royals (WHL)

The Victoria Royals have never had a home-grown first-round NHL draft pick. Or a second-rounder. Or even a third. That will all change with Cole Reschny. The slight and slippery forward can play centre or wing. He’s primarily geared towards making plays rather than finishing them and should slot well beside the plethora of shooters that will be present of this event. 

Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Cameron Schmidt likely couldn’t have dreamed up a better start to his draft-eligible season. Points in 11 straight to start the year. Goals in seven of those outings. His 12 tallies and 19 points lead the WHL. The 5-foot-8 winger will look to punctuate this early success by showing he can dominate against the best of his age group. We’re already regretting not putting him higher than 13th on our draft rankings. 

Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie Otters (OHL)

Malcolm Spence is a pro. Pure and simple. One of the elder statesmen of the draft class, the 6-foot-2 winger seemingly always makes the right play. He’s hard on pucks, he’s hard on the forecheck, and he’s hard to move from the net front. He’s a consistent point producer and a two-way monster. This is yet another chance to display that two-way dominance against the top of his age group. 

Defenders

Kashawn Aitcheson, LD, Barrie Colts (OHL)

For the last two seasons, Kashawn Aitcheson has been one of the most entertaining players in the OHL. He's always doing something – annoying opponents, throwing crushing hits, activating into every rush, and creating offence from the point. Now with plenty of support in Barrie, he's become even more well-rounded and stifling this season. There's no doubt that Aitcheson will leave his mark on the showcase physically, but this represents an opportunity to showcase more of his offensive skills, too. 

Quinn Beauchesne, RD, Guelph Storm (OHL)

This blue line is loaded with prospects with specialized skill sets. Quinn Beauchesne's special element is that he can do a bit of everything. He's a fluid mover, capable of evading the forecheck just as easily as close space and launch an opponent into the wall. He jumps into the rush regularly and brings some value to either special team. As one of just two right-shot defenders on this team, there's a chance Beauchesne plays big minutes. 

Blake Fiddler, RD, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

6-foot-4, right-shot defenders with powerful skating ability and an offensive inclination don’t last long on draft day. Blake Fiddler has all of that going for him plus the ability to be nearly unbeatable defensively with his reach and speed. After an up-and-down Hlinka performance, this represents a massive stage for the American defender to show he’s one of the top backs in the class. 

Reese Hamilton, LD, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Though points haven't come easy for Reese Hamilton this season, he's one of the most exciting blue-liners in the draft class. Skating is his No. 1 skill, with explosive turns, crossovers, and strides. In his best nights, he negates the opposition's most dynamic attackers by matching their feet and steadily tightening the gap. With Carter Yakemchuk running the show offensively for the Hitmen, this two-game series could the perfect opportunity for Hamilton to showcase his puck game more. 

Cameron Reid, LD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Name a skill, and Cameron Reid probably has it. Shutdown defensive skills? Check. Precision stick work to defend the rush? You bet. No matter the zone or situation, Reid makes a consistent impact. He's always using space and faking opponents before finding the best play, whether that's a long-range pass or a walk-in shot. He won't have to make any changes to find success here. If he maintains his lofty all-around impact on the big stage, he'll be one of the series' big winners. 

Matthew Schaefer, LD, Erie Otters (OHL)

After a standout performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he captained Canada to gold, Matthew Schaefer’s draft-eligible season was put on ice. A case of mononucleosis was the culprit. Yet we still think so highly of the fleet-footed defender that we ranked him fourth overall on our first draft board of the season. This event will be a tremendous opportunity for the 17-year-old to prove he’s worthy of being a lottery selection. 

Jackson Smith, LD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

When Jackson Smith steps on the ice, he's impossible to miss. He stands at 6-foot-3, yet skates with shocking fluidity and explosiveness. In top form, his ability to manipulate opponents, gain the middle, and set up chances rivals the many top forward prospects on the roster. Defensively, his skating gives him near-infinite range, and he's not shy about crushing opponents who enter his space. If Smith shows out here like we expect, he'll start popping up in top-10s everywhere. 

Goaltenders

Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

It's hard to find any flaws in Jack Ivankovic's game. In fact, the one thing that's probably keeping him out of a lock-solid first-round status at this point is the fact that he's only 5-foot-11 in a position typically played by giants. Ivankovic's puck tracking are movement are already elite, he's rarely beaten on a shot that doesn't come with heavy traffic, and he continues to find new ways to impress this season between a dominant showing at Hlinka Gretzky and now early in the OHL season. 

Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Coming into this season and in our first EP draft ranking for 2025, Joshua Ravensbergen has been the top goalie prospect for June's draft. The 6-foot-5 goalie simply oozes physical tools and mental makeup that NHL goalie coaches are frothing to work with. Ravensbergen is a big goalie that plays with small goalie feet, his transitions and movement at his size are rare for a junior goalie. Statistically speaking, his year has been a bit slow to start in the WHL, but it's hard to find a goalie scout that isn't excited about Ravensbergen.