2026 NHL Draft: Top players to watch at CHL USA Prospects Challenge
We’re set for one of the first major prospect showcases of the 2026 NHL Draft season, with the CHL USA Prospects Challenge set for Nov. 25-26 in Alberta.
Calgary and Lethbridge will play host to the showcase, featuring some of the best junior hockey talent in North America. NHL Central Scouting put together the CHL’s roster using draft-eligible prospects from the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL. It didn’t matter what country the player is from – this isn’t Team Canada. USA Hockey, meanwhile, will ice its National Team Development Program roster, which competes against USHL, NCAA and international competition all season long.
The CHL will have the edge in pure skill, but the USNTDP will have the chemistry factor from playing together since the start of 2024-25. That didn’t seem to matter last year, though, with the CHL winning both of its games in London and Oshawa. The first game was a blowout, but the USNTDP put up a much tougher fight in Oshawa, with both games showing a high level of intensity.
Here’s a look at five players to watch on each team:
CHL
Ethan Belchetz, LW (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)
Belchetz is a mean, mean man. He’s massive at 6-foot-5 and nearly 230 pounds, and he uses his frame to create havoc anytime he can. He can overwhelm opponents quite easily, both with his shoulder and his shot. From talking to OHLers, Belchetz is the one they’d hate to go up against the most. At an event like this, where there will be some built-in resentment against the Americans, Belchetz will look to keep his hot streak intact – he’s one of the most dangerous OHLers right now. Regardless, I expect Belchetz’s play to be a big talking point.
J.P. Hurlbert, RW (Kamloops Blazers, WHL)
In another timeline, Hurlbert would be on USA’s roster for this event. But would his draft stock be anywhere near as high as it is now? The skilled winger is on pace for close to 120 points and is almost certainly the favorite to win the CHL’s Most Valuable Player award. His ability to influence every shift in such a positive way makes him a top-15 prospect. Going from a junior scorer to an everyday NHL contributor is a big leap, but right now, Hurlbert is doing everything in his power to get himself noticed.
Ryan Lin, RHD (Vancouver Giants, WHL)
Lin isn’t big, which’ll hurt his draft stock. But from a skill perspective, few defenders can keep up with him. He is putting up outstanding numbers with the Giants and could end up being one of the WHL’s top draft-eligible scorers. His decision-making is near the top of this draft class already, and he has the skating to burn guys. It was this event last year where Schaefer established himself as the top draft prospect – we’ll see if Lin can have a similar impact.
Caleb Malhotra, C (Brantford Bulldogs)
Named captain for the CHL, Malhotra has made the most of his rookie campaign. The son of former NHLer Manny Malhotra left the BCHL this summer to join Brantford. It’s paying off, given he’s producing at an 80-point rate. He’s a tremendous playmaker who gives it his all at both ends of the ice. He has very few off nights, which is rare after a player jumps from Junior A to major junior. Malhotra is definitely in the running to go in the top 20 of the NHL Draft, and this showcase could be great for his stock.
Ryan Roobroeck, LW (Niagara IceDogs, OHL)
Roobroeck is hard to miss – he’s 6-foot-4. His ability to dominate shifts both with and without the puck makes him a difficult force to contain. Roobroeck has an incredible shot, but he also knows how to play specific roles, too. He loves spending a lot of time around the net, and his two-way game has come a long way in the past few years. He’s projected to go in the top 10 because teams love big forwards who can score. I think his production is being held back a bit because the IceDogs aren’t deep, but Roobroeck has been Niagara’s top player this year, no question about it.
USA
Mikey Berchild, LW
Berchild is small but so dangerous. I’ve loved his play in international competition, especially the recent U-18 5 Nations tournament in Sweden. The University of Denver commit missed some time last year with an injury, but he still managed to be productive with both the U-17 and U-18 teams. Berchild might be undersized, but his speed causes issues for just about everyone he comes into contact with. I like his game as a playmaker, and I think he has an underrated shot, too. If he can build some muscle throughout the year, watch out.
Casey Mutryn, C
Mutryn is a tough son of a you-know-what to go up against. I like his physicality and work ethic and think that could allow him to be a decent third-liner. He’s smart, battles hard and has the ability to find chemistry with just about everyone. I don’t think he’s a playdriver, but he’s the ultimate support player on a team like the USNTDP. Players like that continue to be valuable in the NHL, and there’s a good chance he’s taken in the top 50 this year. This series proved to be physical last year, so you should expect Mutryn to be fully involved.
Victor Plante, C
Plante has been my favorite player on the American roster in all my live viewings, and his numbers reflect that, as well. He’s USA’s top center, playing around a point-per-game this season. He was one of the top players at the recent Five Nations tournament, where he showed a bit more of a physical edge than we’re used to. Plante is USA’s best passer, but he’s no slouch as a shooter, either. He comes from a strong hockey family: his dad, Derek, played 450 games in the NHL, while his brothers, Max and Zam, are fighting for the NCAA scoring lead.
Luke Schairer, RHD
Schairer is the USNTDP’s top defensive prospect, and it’s easy to understand why. He’s big at 6-foot-3, skates well and plays with a boatload of confidence without trying to out-skill himself. I feel like his two-way game is still a work in progress, and his consistency can be an issue. The CHL USA Prospects Challenge will be a perfect opportunity for Schairer to show potential as a high-end puck-mover. A good two-game showcase could prove beneficial for his draft stock.
Parker Trottier, LW
Trottier might not be the most offensively gifted, but he’s an absolute bulldog away from the puck. The grandson of NHL legend Bryan Trottier, Parker is arguably USA’s toughest forward, serving as a distraction to allow his teammates to get to the net to create scoring chances. While he’s more of a complementary forward, I think he does a good job of making plays through traffic and will outwork just about anyone. It’s rare to watch a period where he isn’t making something happen.
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