CHL, USA Hockey announce two-game series between Canada, US top draft prospects

Some big news out of international hockey on Wednesday, as the Canadian Hockey League and USA Hockey announced the new CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. 

The Prospects Challenge will make its debut in November 2024 and feature a two-game series between the top first-year eligible NHL Draft prospects from the CHL (Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League) against the best from the United States National Team Development Program (USNTP).

The series is scheduled to take place over the next three seasons. Specific details on the date, location and format will become available at a later date.

“The Canadian Hockey League is excited to partner with USA Hockey to add this one-of-a-kind event for both our players and fans to enjoy over the coming seasons,” said Dan MacKenzie, president of the CHL, in a statement Wednesday. “Serving as a best-on-best showcase, the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge will 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.”

The CHL-USA Prospects Challenge will not replace the USA Hockey All-American Game, which features the top draft prospects from the USNTDP and the United States Hockey League (USHL). Instead, it will provide another platform for the NHL and its executives to get their eyes on players eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft. Plus, it should increase the intensity of these international prospects games and the rivalry between USA and Canada.

“This Prospects Challenge will give NHL Clubs and CHL fans the unique opportunity to see the best Canadian and American NHL draft-eligible prospects compete in a two-game series, and it will provide the only time during the hockey season that some of the top-ranked prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class will compete in a best-on-best patriotic rivalry,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting in the CHL statement. “This event provides an exclusive advance look at these top prospects and is the perfect venue for the CHL and USA Hockey players to showcase their skills and attributes.”