Scout’s Analysis: Top players to watch in CHL USA Prospects Challenge

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge may not feature some of the headliners for next year’s NHL Draft, but the two games in Alberta this week will include a very healthy dose of first-round talent.

Even if Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, North Dakota defenceman Keaton Verhoeff and Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg are the top three picks in some order, there’s every chance about half of the first round will include players from Tuesday’s game in Calgary and Wednesday’s in Lethbridge, Alta.

The U.S. National Team Development Program’s under-18 team provides the opposition for a CHL squad made up of top prospects (from any country) for the 2026 NHL Draft.

It is the second year for the event. Last year’s two-game series in Ontario was a breakout for then-Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer, who went on to be picked first overall by the New York Islanders.

“We found in last year’s games in London and Oshawa, there was a really high compete level, players really cared, coaching staffs really cared and the calibre of play made for a really, really entertaining event,” CHL president Dan MacKenzie said in a recent interview. “We think that’s going to continue this year for fans. They’re going to get a chance to see likely more than half the first round playing in meaningful games against each other. It’s going to be a ton of fun.”

Windsor Spitfires forward Ethan Belchetz, who is listed in the top five of many mock drafts, sees the event as a great opportunity.

“It’s just kind of putting out your best hockey and showing everyone what you can produce,” he said. “You don’t want to get too wrapped up in the scouts and who’s in the building. All you want to do is have a great time with all your teammates. It’s a special event that you can’t take for granted.”

CHL team captain and Brantford Bulldogs forward Caleb Malhotra feels much the same way.

“This is where a lot of the A-rated players are congregated right now,” he said. “If I can prove myself with these guys, it’s bound to improve my stock … We’ll see what happens.”

Here’s a look at some early-season observations I’ve made on players who will be competing in front of the NHL scouting community on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The players have been broken into two categories to match their NHL Central Scouting rating. ‘A’ prospects are first-round candidates, and ‘B’ prospects are second- and third-round candidates.

Mathis Preston: 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, F, Spokane Chiefs, WHL

Preston is an intriguing prospect who can be deployed in a variety of roles. He plays the game with energy and tenacity. Preston tracks the play in all three zones, gets in shooting lanes defensively, and attacks with speed off the rush.

I’m curious to see how Preston impacts these games offensively. So far this season I’m projecting Preston as a potential second-line play driver or third-line, two-way energy provider. 

Xavier Villeneuve: 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL

Some members of the scouting community compare Villeneuve’s skill set to that of Montreal Canadiens dynamic defenceman Lane Hutson. Both players are undersized and have been blessed with elite offensive attributes. 

Villeneuve averages over 20 minutes per game in Blainville. Almost all of his ice time comes at even strength and when he is quarterbacking the power play. He’s a shifty playmaker who never shies away from attacking offensively. Through his first 23 games, he has produced five goals, 22 assists and he’s a very responsible plus-12. 

JP Hurlbert: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, F, Kamloops Blazers, WHL

Hurlbert will be suiting up for Team CHL this week after making the move from the USNTDP to the CHL in the summer. He is a versatile player who can be trusted in a variety of situations. 

Last year at this time, Hurlbert was contributing secondary offence with the US program’s U17 team and ended the season with 19 goals and 18 assists. He’s turning heads with his output in Kamloops and displaying a much more aggressive approach overall. Hurlbert is a high-volume shooter who battles and drives to the net when he gets a lane. 

I’m monitoring Hurlbert’s skating. His mechanics are in place, but he has room to add more strength to his frame, which should lead to a more explosive stride. 

Ethan Belchetz: 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, LW, Windsor Spitfires, OHL 

The NHL game has never been played with more skill and speed than it is today. But recent draft cycles have been reintroducing a size element amongst the prospect pool and Belchetz fits the description. 

He is a strong skater who has shown the ability to separate in open ice and make plays moving off the flank in the offensive zone. He has the hockey sense and commitment to be deployed in all situations and is best described as a shooter more than a pure playmaker. Belchetz has contributed 16 goals and 12 assists so far this season. 

Here’s an example of what Belchetz can provide off the rush with his pace and finish:

Mikey Berchild: 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, LW, USNTDP 

Berchild is a prospect I’m looking forward to watching closely in these games. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in strength and tenacity. 

I have yet to witness Berchild quit on a play, on or off the puck. He tracks the entire length of the ice, defends with an active stick, and has a high degree of “dart and dash” in transition offensively. A player like Berchild will benefit a great deal from these games if he leaves scouts with the impression he can contribute to team results in a variety of roles. 

Here’s an example of Berchild’s playmaking in the offensive zone:

Casey Mutryn, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, RW, USNTDP

Not every prospect projects as a high-end offensive contributor at the NHL level. Some players have an attractive “floor” to go along with enough of a potential “ceiling” for skill that scouts identify as building blocks for their organization. 

Mutryn, in my opinion, projects as a bottom-six forward who could provide some secondary/depth offence. He’s capable with the puck, but what’s really appealing is his ability to push through checks to extend plays and generally take a power forward approach.