Scout Analysis: Observations from the CHL-USA Top Prospects Challenge

The second annual CHL-USNTDP Top Prospects Challenge was played in Calgary and Lethbridge on Tuesday and Wednesday. Team USA walked away with the series victory after defeating Team CHL in an overtime session while the teams each won a regulation time game: Team USA 4–2 in Game 1, and Team CHL 4–3 in Game 2.

The event gives my colleague Sam Cosentino and I the opportunity to meet some of the top players from the 2026 NHL Draft and see them in action representing the CHL and the US National Team Development Program.

Ahead of my first draft rankings that will be released on Monday, here are some of my notes on the players who stood out:

Brady Knowling, 6-foot-5, 202 pounds, left-handed goaltender, USNTDP

Nang was outstanding for the American team in the first game of the series in Calgary. He used his large frame to his advantage, avoiding all areas of the ice. Alam squared up to absorb shots from distance, moved to the other side at times, and occasionally struggled to prevent frustration when play became hectic around his crease.

Knowling is a B-rated prospect who will be selected in the top three rounds of the draft. He is owned by the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL and a 2027 Boston University commit.

Wyatt Collins, 5-foot-11, 174 pounds, left shooting forward, USNTDP

Before being injured in the second game of the series, Collins was one of the most notable forwards on both teams.

Colin is a creative player who is sure of his stick. It is difficult to defend him – he is deceptive – with a wonderful look. Collins has the ability to draw attention and dish picks to open linemates in high-danger areas. He works to win pucks with his quickness and stick-on-puck approach. He’s a better-than-average rush threat but it’s his small-area escapes and agility that stand out. Overall, a more divisive lens than the Colin Shooter. The bulk of his ice time is still likely to come on the strength and power play but he has the hockey sense to kill the penalty if needed.

Collins came into the series as a C-rated prospect, selected in the late stages of the draft. Depending on the state of his injury, and based on his play in these two games, he has momentum as a player on the rise.

Collins is one of the youngest players in the draft class (September 8 birthdate) and a University of Minnesota commit (2027).

Luke Shearer, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, right-handed shooting guard, USNTDP

Shearer was appointed to the American team in all situations. He was fully engaged in all three zones, moved the puck efficiently, and used his size and strength to kill plays defensively.

The shearer does not move the needle very aggressively. He plays simple and responsible. I don’t envision him being slotted into a power-play role as his career progresses. He’s a two-way defenseman with the speed and hockey sense to compete with a top-six forward group. He will also eat up minutes on power and penalty kicks.

Schairer is a B-rated prospect whose OHL rights are owned by the Peterborough Pats. He, too, is the work of Boston University (2026).

Carson Karls, 6-foot-1, 202 pounds, left-shooting defenseman, Prince George Cougars, WHL

The CHL team struggled to create enough consistency in these games but Carls stood out as their most reliable overall defender.

Carls is a two-way D-possible that can be trusted in all situations. He fights in the trenches to win and pushes back, physically, with passion. He’s a strong skater who moves up and down the ice on time, and isn’t shy about joining in aggressively as an extra layer. Carl is a complete player. He doesn’t excel in any one category but is very strong in all of them and has the top pair with the top.

The Carl family are cattle ranchers from Cypress River, man. He is an A-rated prospect who will be selected in the top 10 of the draft. He was impressed in his interview with Cosentino and his maturity showed in both games.

Caleb Malhotra, 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, left-shooting center, Brentford Bulldogs, OHL

Malhotra captained the CHL team and did his best to lead by example in both sports.

Malhotra is one of the most exciting prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft and on the rise. He is, arguably, the most reliable center in the draft class. Malhotra has a knack for creating rushes and making plays on the power play. He can also blend against the top lines in closed character if required. His speed, hockey IQ, competitiveness and skill project Malhotra as a potential top-line NHL forward. His approach to the game is similar to that of Nick Suzuki’s Montreal Canadiens.

Malhotra is an A-rated prospect who will be picked in the top 10 of the draft. He is also a Boston University commit (2026).

Xavier Villeneuve, 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, left shooting defenseman, Blainville, Bosbrand Armada, QMJHL

It was impossible not to notice Villeneuve in both games. He played up his identity as an active transitional defenseman who seems to have every shift on his stick.

Villeneuve is the most potent offensive defenseman in the 2026 draft class. He has a desire to stick to his stick and play in the offensive zone. He quarterbacks the power play and has become more of a shooting threat, in addition to his elite vision and playmaking. Villeneuve competes to the best of his ability in every shift. There is some risk/reward in this approach but he works to win back defensively and, despite his height, is physically engaging.

Villeneuve is an A-rated prospect who is likely to be selected in the top 15 of the draft.

Maddox Dagenais, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, left shooting forward, Quebec Ramparts, QMJHL

Dignitas, like Malhotra, stood out for all the right reasons. He, too, is a prospect on the rise in my rankings.

Dagenais provides an exciting combination of strength, skill and high-level competition. He shuts down opponents with the right routes with the right time and space to remove and create turnovers. He plays a heavy style along the boards and never shies away from contact. Unsurprisingly, he pulls off the shooter but also has a creative side to his game. His hockey sense allows the coach to adjust to different roles.

Dignis came into the series as a B-rated prospect but he’s leaving as an A-rated (potential first-round pick) for me.