CHL USA Prospects Challenge

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is an annual two-game series featuring the top NHL entry draft prospects from the CHL versus those from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.^[1][2] CHL players for the game are chosen by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in consultation with NHL teams.^[1]

A game after regulation time would see a five-minute 3-on-3 overtime period then a shootout if necessary. If the series is tied on points after two games, the teams would play 3-on-3 20-minute period(s) to determine the winner.^[1] CHL president Dan MacKenzie felt that the new event would "[serve] as a best-on-best showcase [to] provide our top draft-eligible players from across the CHL with a great opportunity to demonstrate their elite talent and world-class skill set as they work towards hearing their name called at the NHL draft".^[2]

In the 2024 game, head coaches were Kris Mallette for the CHL, and Greg Moore for the USA.^[1] Porter Martone was selected as the CHL captain; with Blake Fiddler, Matthew Schaefer, and Caleb Desnoyers as alternate captains.^[1][3] This was the first head-to-head matchup between Canada and the USA since the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.^[4]

The CHL team included three players expected to be top five picks in the 2025 NHL entry draft, and won both games of the series. ESPN opined that, "this was a dominant showing from Team CHL and shows the caliber of team they could send to the under-18 World Championships if every player was available for selection".^[4] The CHL's top line of Martone, Desnoyers, and Michael Misa, led the scoring, with all three expected as top-10 draft picks. Jack Murtagh scored two of the three USA goals, and goaltender Harrison Boettiger was credited by ESPN for keeping the scores close.^[4]

• CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, held until 2024