2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge to head to Calgary, Lethbridge

The Canadian Hockey League has announced that the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes will serve as hosts of the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge on Nov. 25 and 26, respectively.

The games will take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and the VisitLethbridge.con Arena.

It will mark the second year of the showcase after debuting in London and Oshawa, Ontario earlier during the 2024-25 season.

Comprising of draft eligible prospects from the CHL’s three member leagues and the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, the series served as a replacement for the CHL Top Prospects Game that typically ran each January. USA Hockey’s showcase event still occurred this past January.

“This event not only highlights elite competition but also strengthens the cross-border rivalry that makes this series so compelling for fans and scouts alike,” CHL president Dan MacKenzie said.

The CHL swept the inagural series, with standouts including top five 2025 NHL Draft picks Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa and Brady Martin. Surprisingly, not a single member from USA’s roster was selected in the first round.

Players from the 2026 edition will be eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Some potential CHLers include Ryan Lin and Ryan Roobroeck, while USA could use Lucas Zajic and Casey Mutryn, among others. The CHL’s roster will be selected with the help of all 32 NHL teams.

Both Calgary and Lethbridge have hosted showcase events in the past. Both welcomed Team Russia in previous Canada-Russia Series games, while Calgary hosted the old CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game three times.

The CHL saw 21 players selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday, falling just one short of the all-time record of 22 set in 2013. The United States had seven players selected, highlighted by Boston Bruins forward and former USNTDP star James Hagens at No. 7.

The showcase is expected to be hosted by the QMJHL for the 2026-27 season.