CHL/USA Prospects Challenge

The CHL/USA Prospects Challenge is an annual junior ice hockey series between the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. The two-game series showcases the talents of top prospects for the upcoming entry draft of the National Hockey League (NHL), in a collaborative effort with the NHL Central Scouting Bureau to select the participants.

Quick Facts Date(s), Country ...

CHL/USA Prospects Challenge
Date(s)	November, annually
Country	Canada
Inaugurated	1992
Activity	Ice hockey
Organised by	Canadian Hockey League
Sponsors	Kubota (since 2020) Sherwin-Williams (2017–2019) Bank of Montreal (2014–2016) Home Hardware (2000–2013)
Website	kubotatopprospects.ca

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From 1992 to 1995 the event was known as the CHL All–Star Challenge, between the three CHL constituent leagues–the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In 1996, the CHL partnered with the NHL to create the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.^[1] Teams were led by a celebrity coach, with Don Cherry and Bobby Orr having been frequent coaches.^[2][3] Home Hardware became the corporate title sponsor starting in 2000,^[1] followed by Bank of Montreal (BMO) in 2014,^[4] Sherwin-Williams in 2017,^[5] and Kubota in 2020.^[6]

The inaugural CHL All–Star Challenge featured the host Western Hockey League team, versus and a combined team from the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. John Spoltore of the North Bay Centennials scored twice for the East, and Dean McAmmond of the Prince Albert Raiders scored the winning goal in overtime for the West.

In the second CHL All–Star Challenge, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League hosted a combined team from the Western Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League. Claude Savoie of the Victoriaville Tigres, and Martin Gendron of the Saint-Hyacinthe Laser, both scored twice for the QMJHL, but the WHL/OHL scored five goals in the third period to win the game.

In the third CHL All–Star Challenge, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League hosted a combined team from the Western Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen goals were scored by fifteen different players, with Jeff Shevalier of the North Bay Centennials, scoring twice. Quebec led 4–2 after the first period, but were outscored 4–1 by the OHL/WHL in the third period.

The fourth CHL All–Star Challenge was hosted by the Ontario Hockey League, versus a combined team from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The QMJHL/WHL scored the first five goals of the game, and won 8–3, led by two goals each from Eric Daze of the Beauport Harfangs, and Terry Ryan of the Tri-City Americans.

The first CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in 1996, was coached by celebrities Don Cherry and Bobby Orr, joined by assistants, Brian Kilrea, Blair Machasey, and Bob Loucks. Team Cherry won 9–3, led by Lance Ward of the Red Deer Rebels, and Jean-Pierre Dumont of the Val-d'Or Foreurs scoring two goals each.

Cherry and Orr continued as coaches for the 1997 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Brian Kilrea and Bert O'Brien of the Ottawa 67's joined Cherry as assistants. Orr was joined by Michel Therrien of the Granby Prédateurs, and Todd McLellan of the Swift Current Broncos. Team Orr led 4–0 after the first period, and won 7–2. Goaltender Roberto Luongo of the Val-d'Or Foreurs, made 29 saves in the victory. Jeff Zehr of the Windsor Spitfires, and Daniel Cleary of the Belleville Bulls scored two goals each.

Cherry and Orr continued as coaches for the 1998 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Brian Kilrea returned as an assistant coach to Cherry, and Claude Julien of the Hull Olympiques, and Brent Peterson of the Portland Winter Hawks, joined Orr. Team Cherry lead 3–0 halfway through the game, and held on for a 4–2 win. Six different players scored one goal each, and goaltender Philippe Sauvé of the Rimouski Océanic stopped all 23 shots he faced.

Cherry and Orr continued as coaches for the 1999 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Lanny McDonald and Brian Kilrea were assistant coaches to Cherry, and Dean Clark of the Calgary Hitmen, and Gaston Therrien of the Val-d'Or Foreurs, joined Orr. Team Cherry outshot Team Orr 42–25, but Team Orr won 4–3.

The CHL announced Home Hardware as the corporate title sponsor of the event, starting in 2000.^[1] Cherry and Orr continued as coaches for the 2000 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Brian Kilrea returned as an assistant coach to Cherry, and Dean Clark returned with Orr. Team Orr scored three goals in the third period, and won 6–3. Nathan Smith of the Swift Current Broncos scored twice for Team Orr, and Gerard Dicaire of the Seattle Thunderbirds scored two points for Team Cherry.

Cherry and Orr continued as coaches for the 2001 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Lanny McDonald and Brian Kilrea were assistant coaches to Cherry, and Brent Sutter of the Red Deer Rebels, and Doris Labonté of the Rimouski Océanic, joined Orr. Greg Watson of the Prince Albert Raiders scored two goals and two assists, to lead Team Orr to a 5–3 victory.

For the 2002 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, the CHL announced Tiger Williams and Kelly Hrudey as the new celebrity coaches for the event. Bob Lowes of the Regina Pats, joined Williams and as assistant coach, and Kevin Dickie of the Saskatoon Blades, joined Hrudey. Pierre-Marc Bouchard of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and Joffrey Lupul of the Medicine Hat Tigers, both scored two goals. Petr Taticek of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds scored a penalty shot goal as part of Team Tiger's four goals in the second period, in a 7–4 victory by Team Tiger.

Cherry and Orr returned as coaches for the 2003 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Brian Kilrea returned as an assistant coach to Cherry, and Peter DeBoer of the Kitchener Rangers, joined Orr. Frank Rediker of the Windsor Spitfires, had a goal and an assist for Team Cherry, and Mike Richards of the Kitchener Rangers, had two assists, for Team Orr. Team Cherry scored three goals in the third period to win 4–3.

Cherry and Orr continued as coaches for the 2004 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Dale Hunter and Jacques Beaulieu of the London Knights, were assistant coaches to Cherry, and Brian Kilrea and Bert O'Brien of the Ottawa 67's, joined Orr. Team Orr scored the first three and last three goals to win 6–2. Blake Comeau of the Kelowna Rockets, scored four points, and Rob Schremp of the London Knights scored three points for Team Orr.

Cherry continued as a coach for the 2005 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Orr was replaced by John Davidson as coach. Kenndal McArdle of the Moose Jaw Warriors scored two goals for Team Davidson. Gilbert Brulé of the Vancouver Giants scored two goals, leading Team Cherry to an 8–4 win.

Cherry and Orr reunited as coaches for the 2006 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Team Cherry scored the first goals of the game, on assists from Ty Wishart of the Prince George Cougars. Team Orr scored seven unanswered goals to win the game. Bryan Little of the Barrie Colts scored twice to lead the way.

For the 2007 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, the CHL announced new celebrity coaches for the event. Scotty Bowman and Jacques Demers teamed up with Patrick Roy of the Quebec Remparts, to coach the white team. Pat Burns and Michel Bergeron teamed up with Benoit Groulx of the Gatineau Olympiques, to coach the red team. Oscar Moller of the Chilliwack Bruins, scored a goal and an assists for the white team. Ruslan Bashkirov of the Quebec Remparts, scored twice for the red team, leading to a 5–3 victory.

For the 2008 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, the CHL announced new celebrity coaches for the event. Grant Fuhr and Glenn Anderson teamed up with Don Nachbaur of the Tri-City Americans, to coach the white team. Lanny McDonald and Mike Vernon teamed up with Kelly Kisio of the Calgary Hitmen, to coach the red team. Josh Bailey of the Windsor Spitfires, scored twice, and Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion, added three assists, to help team white win 8–4.

Cherry and Orr reunited as coaches for the 2009 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Team Orr won 6–1, let by two goals each from Cody Eakin of the Swift Current Broncos, and David Gilbert of the Quebec Remparts.

Cherry returned as coach for the 2010 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, with Brian Kilrea and Bert O'Brien as assistants. Team Orr was coached by Jody Hull of the Peterborough Petes, and Marty Williamson of the Niagara IceDogs. Team Cherry scored three times in the third period to win the game. Players of the game were Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires, and Jeff Skinner of the Kitchener Rangers.

Cherry returned as coach for the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, with Brian Kilrea and Bert O'Brien as assistants. Team Orr was coached by Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour of the Kingston Frontenacs, and Stan Butler of the Brampton Battalion. Team Orr scored four times on way to a 7–1 victory. Zack Phillips of the Saint John Sea Dogs, led all scorers with three points.

For the 2012 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, Team Cherry was coached by Mark Recchi, and assistant Ryan Huska of the Kelowna Rockets. Team Orr was coached by Pat Quinn, and assistant Don Hay of the Vancouver Giants. Players of the game were Branden Troock of the Seattle Thunderbirds, and goaltender Matt Murray of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Don Cherry returned as a coach, and Team Orr was coached by Mike McPhee. Team Orr outshot Team Cherry 36–20, and won 3–0. Players of the game were Tristan Jarry of the Edmonton Oil Kings, and Laurent Dauphin of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

The CHL announced Bank of Montreal (BMO) as the corporate title sponsor of the event, starting in 2014,^[4] and several Calgary Flames celebrities to coach the 2014 BMO Top Prospects Game. Team Cherry was led by Jim Peplinski and Paul Reinhart, joined by broadcaster Nick Kypreos, and the general manager of the London Knights, Mark Hunter. Team Orr was led by Tim Hunter, Joel Otto, Mike Vernon, and former NHL coach, Doug MacLean. Team Orr scored three times in the second period, and won 4–3. Players of the game were Nikolay Goldobin of the Sarnia Sting, and Jared McCann of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Cherry and Orr both returned as coaches for the 2015 BMO Top Prospects Game. Brian Kilrea and Bert O'Brien assisted Cherry, and Orr was joined by Niagara IceDogs' coaches Billy Burke and David Bell. Travis Konecny of the Ottawa 67's, and Timo Meier of the Halifax Mooseheads, both scored three points, leading Team Orr to a 6–0 victory.

Cherry and Orr returned as coaches for the 2016 BMO Top Prospects Game. Brian Kilrea and Bert O'Brien returned as assistants to Cherry, and Glen Hanlon and Todd Warriner joined Orr. Team Orr was led to victory by three points each from Pascal Laberge of the Victoriaville Tigres, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

The CHL announced Sherwin-Williams as the corporate title sponsor of the event, starting in 2017.^[5] The 2017 Sherwin-Williams Top Prospects Game featured four celebrity coaches, all of whom played junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts. Team Cherry was led by Simon Gagné and Pierre Lacroix, and the head coach of the Quebec Remparts, Philippe Boucher. Team Orr was led by Guy Chouinard and Dave Pichette, and the head coach of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Dominique Ducharme.^[29] Team Cherry scored three times on the power play, and won 7–5. Players of the game were Henri Jokiharju of the Portland Winterhawks, and Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads.

Don Cherry returned as a celebrity coach, joined by James Richmond of the Mississauga Steelheads, and assistants Brian Kilrea, Bert O'Brien. Team Orr was coached by Eric Lindros, joined by the Guelph Storm's coaching staff, George Burnett, Jake Grimes, and Luca Caputi.^[31] Team Cherry scored the first five goals of the game, en route to a 7–4 victory. Filip Zadina of the Halifax Mooseheads, Aidan Dudas of the Owen Sound Attack, and Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds, all scored two goals each in the victory.

Ron MacLean coached Team Cherry, assisted by Dave Hunter and Brent Sutter. Kelly Hrudey returned to the Top Prospects Game to coach Team Orr, assisted by Marc Habscheid and Robyn Regehr. Team Orr scored four third period goals to win 5–4. Graeme Clarke of the Ottawa 67's, and Brett Leason of the Prince Albert Raiders both had a goal and an assist for Team Orr. Arthur Kaliyev of the Hamilton Bulldogs, and Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes both scored three points for Team Cherry.^[33]

The CHL announced Kubota as the corporate title sponsor of the event, starting in 2020.^[6] Rob Wilson from the Peterborough Petes coached Team Red, and George Burnett from the Guelph Storm coached Team White. Tyson Foerster from the Barrie Colts, and Connor Zary from the Kamloops Blazers both scored three points in a 5–3 victory for Team White. Jeremie Poirier from the Saint John Sea Dogs scored two points for Team Red in the loss.^[34]

Following a one-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CHL announced the return of the Top Prospects Game in 2022. Team Red was coached by Mike McKenzie of the Kitchener Rangers, assisted by Derek Roy, Jamie McLennan and Bryan Hayes. Team White was again coached by George Burnett of the Guelph Storm, assisted by Brian Kilrea, Jeff O’Neill and Michael DiStefano.^[35]

The 2023 game showcased 40 players including 19 from the WHL, 15 from the OHL, six from the QMJHL, and the expected first-overall draft pick Connor Bedard.^[3] Michael Dyck and Brent Seabrook, both of the Vancouver Giants, served as head coach of Team Red and Team White respectively. Four former Vancouver Canucks players served as assistant coaches; Henrik Sedin and Ron Delorme for Team Red, and Daniel Sedin and Stan Smyl for Team White.^[37]

Team White won the game by a 4–2 score, with goaltenders Scott Ratzlaff and Jackson Unger combining to make 45 saves. In the first period, Mathieu Cataford scored for Team Red, and Colby Barlow scored for Team White. After a scoreless second period, Team White had goals from Carson Rehkopf, Luca Pinelli, and Calum Ritchie. With 36 seconds remaining, Zach Benson scored the final goal for Team Red. Recognized as players of the game for their teams were Carson Rehkopf for Team White, and Riley Heidt for Team Red.^[37]

Forty players were chosen for the game, six of which were born outside of North America, including Harrison Brunicke who was born in South Africa. Adam Jecho was the highest-ranked European-born player. Team captains were Sam Dickinson for Team Red, and Berkly Catton for Team White. After a scoreless first period, Liam Greentree scored for Team White, then Ben Danford tied the game for Team Red. Raoul Boilard scored the winning goal six minutes into the third period. After an empty-net goal, Team Red won by a 3–1 score. Goaltenders Ryerson Leenders and Lukas Matecha combined for 38 saves on 39 shots for the win. Boilard was named player of the game for Red, and Tij Iginla was named player of the game for White.^[39][40]

The CHL Top Prospects Game was replaced by the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge in 2024, becoming an annual two-game series featuring the top NHL entry draft prospects from the CHL versus those from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.^[42][43] CHL players for the game were chosen by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in consultation with NHL teams.^[42]

Under the new format, a game after regulation time would see a five-minute 3-on-3 overtime period then a shootout if necessary. If the series is tied on points after two games, the teams would play 3-on-3 20-minute period(s) to determine the winner.^[42] CHL president Dan MacKenzie felt that the new event would "[serve] as a best-on-best showcase [to] 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".^[43]

In the 2024 game, head coaches were Kris Mallette for the CHL, and Greg Moore for the USA.^[42] Porter Martone was selected as the CHL captain; with Blake Fiddler, Matthew Schaefer, and Caleb Desnoyers as alternate captains.^[42][44] The was the first head-to-head matchup between Canada and the USA since the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.^[45]

The CHL team included three players expected to be top five picks in the 2025 NHL entry draft, and won both games of the series. ESPN opined that, "this was a dominant showing from Team CHL and shows the caliber of team they could send to the under-18 World Championships if every player was available for selection".^[45] The CHL's top line of Martone, Desnoyers, and Michael Misa, led the scoring, with all three expected as top-10 draft picks. Jack Murtagh scored two of the three USA goals, and goaltender Harrison Boettiger was credited by ESPN for keeping the scores close.^[45]

• CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game