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Caleb Malhotra believes that his hockey IQ is the greatest strength of his game.
That pattern was very much on display at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge this week.
The team’s CHL top center and captain was a play driver throughout the two-game series showcasing 2026 NHL Draft prospects. Malhotra was rewarded for his efforts when he scored a short-handed, breakaway goal in Wednesday’s 4-3 series win in Lethbridge, Alta.
The Brentford Bulldogs then attempted a clearance that outpaced USA defenseman AJ Francisco before outpacing him and eventually getting behind him for a highlight-reel goal that started the CHL team’s comeback from a 3-1 deficit. The USA won the series by three goals in super overtime.
“Just being able to (be effective) on both sides of the puck, being able to make plays and being able to stop plays,” Malhotra said in a telephone interview before the series when asked to describe the best part of his game. “Knowing what situations I can try to cheat … on the bounce or what situations I have to stay behind the puck — I don’t get anything done. I think that’s probably my best asset.”
While the team’s CHL play wasn’t enough against the United States National Development Program’s under-18 team with few first-round prospects, the six-foot-two Malhotra was certainly a standout. He also had a nice assist on a goal by Chase Reed in Tuesday’s opener in Calgary.
Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino had Malhotra 13th in his November draft rankings, six spots below where his father Manny was selected by the New York Rangers in the 1998 draft. Caleb was 28th on Cosentino’s October list.
“I have a number, I think everybody has a number in their head (they’re aiming for). I’m going to keep it close to my chest,” Malhotra, 17, said.
Malhotra is the same type of two-way center as his father was during a 991-game NHL playing career.
Manny now coaches the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL, winning the Calder Cup last season. But he still finds plenty of time to watch his son play hockey halfway across the country thanks to modern technology.
“If he can’t watch (the game) live, he watches them all back,” Caleb said. “He watches my shifts. He always sends me clips. I love it. It’s really good. It’s not always about hockey stuff, it’s sometimes about habits. During the whistle, he hates when I chew my mouthguard, so he always sends me pictures of it. ‘Just put it in your mouth, let it do it’. It works. He’s always been closely focused.
Caleb’s mother, Joan, is also a great athletic influence, having been a former soccer star at the University of Victoria. You may also know John’s brother – a basketball player named Steve Nash.
Caleb’s parents have been a great help in the drafting process.
“Just trying to block out all the noise this year. I think everybody gets a taste in their junior draft year. So it’s a whole new level here. Even the good noise, as an A-rated prospect and all the rankings, even if they’re good, you can’t let it go to your head. That’s what my parents, my mom and dad, never allowed you to do, when anybody Don’t allow it to pump up your tires too much, just take it with a grain of salt, too good, too bad.”
Caleb was seven when his father played his last game in the NHL in 2015, but he got a closer look at the best league in the world when Manny served as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks from 2018-20 and the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2020-24.
“That’s why I started playing hockey, that’s why I fell in love with the game,” Caleb said. “I’ve learned a lot from him, just watching him. Even as a coach, he goes out every day before he gets to the rink and works out. Before he starts his meetings and stuff, he’s working, he doesn’t stop, he’s kind of a machine. I’ve seen (and felt), wow, that’s what it takes.”
Malhotra signed with Brentford this offseason after playing last year with Chilliwack of the BCHL. The Kingston Frontenacs, who selected Malhotra in the first round of last year’s OHL draft, traded his rights to Brantford when he did not report.
At this time, playing in the OHL would have prevented Malhotra from eventually playing NCAA hockey with Boston University, where he has committed. But an NCC rule change that swept the game last November opened the door for Malhotra to come to the OHL this season.
It was pretty much a no-brainer to join a top-ranked Brantford organization owned by Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Heyman and family. The Bulldogs, who haven’t lost in regulation this season, now have five NHL first-round picks on the roster after trading for Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jet Luchanko this week.
“The thing that doesn’t get talked about a lot is practice,” said Malhotra, who has 10 goals and 19 assists in 23 games for coach Jay Mackey’s team. “You have to push each other a lot in practice. You’re going to compete against Jake O’Brien, a top-10 pick (by the Seattle Kraken), Marek Vanaker, a first-round pick (by the Chicago Blackhawks), Adam Banks, a fourth-round pick (by the Minnesota Wild) but probably one of the most skilled players I’ve ever seen.”
You have to compete with those guys every day in practice and then you have to compete with (Montreal Canadiens pick) Owen Protz, (St. Fill it up.”
Friday, November 28: Brantford Bulldogs (18-0-4-1) at Brampton Steelheads (10-12-1-1), 7pm ET
This number is the Bulldogs debut for Luchanko, who was acquired from the Guelph Hurricanes. Guelph hosts the Memorial Cup next year, when the flat-footed Luchanko hopes to be a full-time NHLer. He has a very real chance to play in this year’s Memorial Cup with the Kelowna, BC, Bulldogs. Expect plenty of scouts on this game in GTA.
Friday, November 28: Prince Albert Raiders (16-1-4-0) at Brandon Wheat Kings (11-10-1-0), 8pm ET / 7pm CT
A fun matchup between a team with the WHL’s best winning percentage and a Brandon squad that includes the league’s second-leading scorer and 2027 NHL Draft eligible Jackson Jacobson.
Saturday, November 29: Chicoutimi Sagueneens (16-3-1-2) at Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (14-6-2-1)4 p.m. ET
The rising Sagueneens are getting great goaltending from Raphael Precourt (1.99 goals-against average, .915 save percentage). Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Masse is a QMJHL top 10 scorer for Chicoutimi.
Saturday, November 29: Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-9-1) at Denver Pioneers (9-4-1), 9pm ET / 7pm MT
Minnesota hasn’t had a great year, but split a two-game series (both one-goal games) with Gavin McKenna and Penn State last weekend. Canadian goaltending prospect Quentin Miller (1.64 GAA, .941 save percentage) shined in his freshman season for fourth-ranked Denver.
