Scout analysis: Top players to watch in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge may not feature some of the headliners for next year’s NHL Draft, but the two games in Alberta this week will include a very healthy dose of first-round talent.

Even though Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, North Dakota defenseman Keaton Weroff and Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg are the top three picks in some order, there’s every chance the first half of the round will feature players Tuesday in Calgary and Wednesday in Lethbridge, Alta.

The U.S. National Team Development Program’s under-18 team provides opposition for a CHL squad comprised of top prospects (from any country) for the 2026 NHL Draft.

This is the second year of the event. Last year’s two-game series in Ontario was a breakout for then-Erie Otters defensive manager Matthew Shaffer, who was selected first overall by the New York Islanders.

“We saw that last year in the games in London and Oshawa, there was a really high level, the players really cared, the coaching staff really cared and the quality of play made for a really, really entertaining event,” CHL president Dan McKenzie said in a recent interview. “We think that will continue this year for the fans. They will get a chance to see more than half of the first round play against each other in meaningful games. It will be a lot of fun.”

Windsor Spitfire forward Ethan Belichitz, who is listed in the top five of many mock drafts, sees the event as a great opportunity.

“It’s just kind of bringing out your best hockey and showing everybody what you can produce,” he said. “You don’t want to get wrapped up in scouts and who’s in the building. All you want to do is have a good time with all your teammates. It’s a special event you can’t take for granted.”

CHL team captain and Brantford Bulldogs forward Caleb Malhotra feels much the same way.

“This is where a lot of E-rated players are congregating right now,” he said. “If I can prove myself with these guys, it’s bound to improve my stock…we’ll see what happens.”

Here’s a look at some early season observations I’ve made on the players who will compete in front of the NHL scouting community on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Players are divided into two categories to match their NHL Central Scouting rankings. ‘A’ prospects are first round candidates, and ‘B’ prospects are second and third round candidates.

Matthews Preston: 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, F, Spokane Chiefs, WHL

Preston is an interesting prospect who can be deployed in a variety of roles. He plays the game with energy and courage. Preston tracks the play in all three zones, gets into the shooting lane defensively, and attacks with speed.

I’m excited to see how Preston impacts these games offensively. So far this season I’m projecting Presson as a potential second-line play driver or third-line, two-way energy provider.

Xavier Villeneuve: 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL

Some members of the scouting community compare Villeneuve’s skill set to dynamic defenseman Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens. Both players are underrated and are blessed with elite offensive attributes.

Villeneuve averaged more than 20 minutes per game at Blainville. Almost all of his ice time also comes on the power play and when he’s quartering the power play. He is a gentle player who never shies away from attacking. Through his first 23 games, he has produced five goals, 22 assists and is a very responsible plus-12.

JP Hurlburt: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, F, Kamloops Blazers, WHL

Hurlburt will suit up for Team CHL this week after moving from the USNTDP to the CHL over the summer. He is a versatile player who can be relied upon in various situations.

Last year at this time, Hurlburt was contributing to the secondary offense with the US program’s U17 team and finished the season with 19 goals and 18 assists. He’s turning heads with his production in Kamloops and is showing a more aggressive approach overall. Hurlburt is a high-volume shooter who fights and drives to the net when he gets a lane.

I’m supervising Hurlburt’s skating. His mechanics are spot on, but he has room to add more strength to his frame, which should lead to more explosive strides.

Ethan Belches: 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, LW, Windsor Spitfires, OHL

The NHL game has never been played with more skill and speed than it is today. But recent draft bikes have reintroduced a size factor between potential poles and belches to fit the description.

He is a strong skater who shows the ability to separate in the open ice and play off the flank in the offensive zone. He has the hockey sense and determination to be deployed in all situations and is best described as more of a pure playmaker than a shooter. Belches has 16 goals and 12 assists so far this season.

Here’s an example of how Belches can provide a rush with his speed and finish:

Mickey Burchild: 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, LW, USNTDP

Birchchild is a prospect I look forward to watching closely in these games. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in strength and maturity.

I have yet to see Birchild give up on a game, on or off the puck. He tracks the entire length of the ice, defends with an active stick, and “darts and dashes” aggressively in transition. A player like Burchild will benefit most from these games if he leaves scouts with the impression that he can contribute to the team’s results in a variety of roles.

Here’s an example of Berchild’s playmaking in the offensive zone:

Casey Mutryn, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, RW, USNTDP

Not every prospect projects at the NHL level as a high-end offensive contributor. Some players have an attractive “floor” to go along with enough of a potential “ceiling” for skill that scouts identify as building blocks for their organization.

Mutryn, in my opinion, projects to be a bottom-six forward that can provide some secondary/depth offense. He’s certainly capable, but the fact that he has the ability to push through checks is a way to extend games and generally be a power forward.