CHL unveils first four 2027 NHL Draft prospects for CHL USA Prospects Challenge
Some of the future stars of the NHL are set to represent major junior hockey.
On Wednesday, the Canadian Hockey League announced the first four players named to Team CHL for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL), Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit, OHL), Alexis Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL), and Carter Meyer (Quebec Remparts, QMJHL) are going to be playing for the league as they get set to face the U.S. National Under-18 Team.
It will be a sentimental couple of games for Meyer, who was one of the U.S. National Team Development Program’s top players last season. The Boston University commit scored 107 points across all competitions with the U-17 and U-18 team in 2025-26, and has seen a strong start with the Remparts, posting a goal and four points in his first two games.
Zhilkin becomes the third member of the Spirit to play in the Prospects Challenge, joining Michael Misa and Nikita Klepov, making Saginaw the only franchise to be represented in each series. The future Michigan Wolverine is coming off a career year with the Spirit, posting 36 goals and 75 points, and has already notched five points in the first two games of the new season.
England entered the 2026-27 campaign on a high, having scored twice for Canada in its gold medal win over Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The Red Deer, Alb. native posted 21 goals and 51 points in his rookie season in Seattle, also helping Canada Red win gold at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge last year.
Joseph, who also won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and U-17 title with England over the past year, was exceptional in his first year in the ‘Q.’ With 60 points in 51 games, he led all 16-year-olds in scoring. He’s registered two assists in two games with the Sea Dogs already this season.
This will be the third edition of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. After the CHL ran roughshod over the United States in the inaugural event in 2024, the American squad bounced back last year, winning the two-game set in “Super Overtime” in Alberta.
This year’s event will take place in Meyer’s backyard. After Game 1, set for Dec. 1, in Chicoutimi, Centre Videotron will host the second game of the series, scheduled for Dec. 2.