Scouting reports on every player for the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge
The inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge is set to kick off in Ontario next week, pitting the best talent from the Canadian Hockey League against the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
You’ve got a group of all-stars coming together from the CHL, taking on a USA group that has grown, lived, and played together for the past year and a half. For the most part, it’ll focus on showcasing the best 2025 NHL Draft talent from both sides of the border – with USA having a few 2026s, as well.
The United States will be without defenseman Carter Amico for the rest of the year with an injury, while star forward L.J. Mooney has been out of action since October. The CHL, meanwhile, will be without projected top-10 pick Roger McQueen, who has been out of action since late last month.
Canada Life Place in London will host the opening game on Nov. 26, with the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa welcoming the two teams on Nov. 27. Daily Faceoff will be there to observe both games.
Here’s something to know about every player expected to participate – and for a deeper look at this year’s draft class, make sure to check out DFO’s top 50 prospects:
Canadian Hockey League
Forwards
Carter Bear, Everett Silvertips: Bear has been so impressive to watch this season, putting himself on pace for close to 60 goals and 115 points in his second full year. He’s very creative with the puck and makes some great, high-danger plays around the net quite often. I also like that he’s quick and physically engaged, too.
Justin Carbonneau, Blainville-Boisbriand: Carbonneau is a great skater who loves the puck on his stick and is capable of making quick decisions while under attack. He’s physically strong, too, although he doesn’t push players around all too often. He’s still raw but so talented.
Braeden Cootes, Seattle Thunderbirds: The thing that really stands out here is just how much Cootes wants the puck, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Cootes is also a solid playmaker, often easily finding teammates in open space. I think his value goes far beyond his numbers, but he’s also a bright spot on a bad team right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cootes ends up being one of the top players next week.
Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton Wildcats: Desnoyers is hard to miss because he does so much to impact every individual shift. He’s a thinker, a playmaker and a playdriver. Desnoyers drives the net with such force, and he’s rarely beaten in 1-on-1 situations. Desnoyers will get serious consideration as a top-10 pick this year because he’s so far ahead of most players on the mental side alone.
Benjamin Kindel, Calgary Hitmen: Kindel is a smooth skater, using that to his advantage to break through the middle of the ice and create plays. He’s a better shooter than a setup guy, but he’s on pace for 40 goals this year. I also like how hard he battles along the boards, too.
Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw Warriors: Lakovic is intriguing for his 6-foot-4 frame and his ability to generate offense from all over the ice. He had a decent 2023-24 campaign but is on pace for around 40 goals and 85 points this year as a key piece of the Warriors’ attack. Lakovic is a solid skater, too, so his mix of size, speed and skill should allow him to go quite high this year.
Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds: Martin is a buzzsaw, fighting through just about anything to try and get a shot on net. The fact he’s always moving and always looking to either generate offense or separate someone from the puck makes him very intriguing. After watching him at the Hlinka Gretzky, he’s no stranger to stealing the spotlight – could that be the case over the next two games?
Porter Martone, Brampton Steelheads: Martone is the big draw in this game. He’s big at 6-foot-3 and has the pure offensive instincts to be so dangerous. The Steelheads captain isn’t afraid to rough it up, and he’s producing at an incredible pace. Martone is doing so much of the heavy lifting for the Steelheads this year, and it hasn’t seemed to bother him. Any time Martone is in a showcase setting, he seems to thrive – don’t expect this to be any different.
Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit: Misa is on pace for one of the most productive seasons ever by an OHL draft-eligible prospect, and he is definitely in the conversation to go No. 2 in the draft because of it. He’s so skilled, and there’s something that can be said about being in the right spot at the right time more often than not. Misa outthinks his opponent at such a high rate, so it’s no surprise that he’s been so productive. Misa is doing everything in his power to push himself into consideration to go No. 1 – a good showing in this event won’t hurt.
Jake O’Brien, Brantford Bulldogs: If there’s one thing O’Brien does well, it’s being in the right spot when he needs to be. He might not be the most high-end offensive threat, but he plays reliably at both ends of the ice and isn’t afraid to get physical, too. Even when he’s not registering points, he’s finding ways to stay active in the defensive zone to make sure he’s always relevant out there.
Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals: A stout playmaker, Reschny has quick feet, an active motor, and is great at getting himself in spots to pick up rebounds. He’s small at 5-foot-9, but he’s smart enough to get himself out of trouble. It also seems to help that he produces pretty much every time I watch him.
Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver Giants: At 5-foot-8, Schmidt isn’t big, but he’s got the skill to be effective. He battles hard and can make some noise in front of the net because he doesn’t let defenders push him around easily. Right spot, right time – that’s his thing. We’ll see what NHL scouts think next June because there’s no shortage of skill there, and that’s why he has been one of the most productive players in the entire CHL.
Malcolm Spence, Erie Otters: Spence is an absolute menace on the ice, and he’s got the skill to back it up. He gets in the way of just about everyone, has some of the best chirps in the class and then will make you pay with a nice goal. He hasn’t had an explosive start to the year, statistically, but he’s still kicking butt and looking like the best player on most shifts.
Defensemen
Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie Colts: Aitcheson is physical, plays a ton on the penalty kill, moves well, and takes away space as well as anyone. I don’t see him being much of a point producer in the NHL, but he’s just a mean dude out there. Aitcheson’s ability to land a giant hit and then join in on the rush seconds later makes him intriguing.
Quinn Beauchesne, Guelph Storm: Mobility is the name of the game for Beauchesne. He’s very quick and loves to join in on the rush, so you can always count on him finding open space. I also think he makes some excellent long-range passes and isn’t afraid to take risks. Sometimes, though, the risks can get him into trouble, but there’s a ton of pure, raw skill here.
Blake Fiddler, Edmonton Oil Kings: The 6-foot-4 blueliner is a big-bodied defender who clears forwards away from his net and pushes opponents to the perimeter. Fiddler is averaging around 22 minutes a night this year and already looks better with the puck than he did a year ago. Fiddler is going to be one of the first defenders taken this year, and this event could help make that a reality.
Reese Hamilton, Calgary Hitmen: The first thing you’ll notice about Hamilton is his skating. He’s not big, but he makes up for that with pure mobility and two-way play. He can play a variety of different roles to help ensure his spot in a lineup – something that’ll be valuable at the next level.
Cameron Reid, Kitchener Rangers: Reid can do a little bit of everything, making him more rounded than I think some scouts expected heading into the season. He can move, push opponents around and can shut down even the best OHLers. His puck game is still a bit raw, but you can always appreciate a young player trying different things to become more effective.
Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters: Schaefer is the clear No. 1 defenseman by most evaluators I’ve talked to based on his pure, raw skill. He also has great size at 6-foot-2 and is as mobile as it gets. Schaefer is a future top-pairing blueliner, and he happens to be one of the youngest players in the draft class, too. I’ve followed Schaefer for about four years now – I think he’s got what it takes to be an effective NHLer almost immediately once he steps into the league.
Jackson Smith, Tri-City Americans: Smith is a big 6-foot-3 defender who isn’t afraid to punish opponents. a pain in the rear end to try and beat in 1-on-1 situations because he loves getting in your face as much as possible. He’s quite well-rounded for his age which scouts love. I’m excited to see him up close again after a great Hlinka.
Goaltenders
Jack Ivankovic, Brampton Steelheads: Ivankovic is a huge part of Brampton’s early play this year – so much so that they looked like a different team when he was serving his suspension for fighting. He’s so athletically gifted and moves quick enough to make up for his lack of size. I’d argue that if he was another two to three inches taller, we’d be talking about him being the best goaltender in the draft.
Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars: Ravensbergen is often viewed as the top goaltender for the draft, and it’s easy to see why. He’s got solid numbers already in his young WHL career and his 6-foot-4 frame is ideal for the NHL. Ravensbergen tracks pucks well through traffic and has figured out how to use his size to shut down shooters from more difficult positions now.
USA Hockey National Team Development Program
Forwards
Richard Gallant: I loved Gallant’s game at the recent U-18 Five Nations tournament – it seems like he was involved often in USA’s offense. He’s a hard-working winger who does a lot around the boards and in front of the net to try and gain possession of the puck. He’s not very strong, though, but if he can add some muscle, he could have a decent NHL career.
Jacob Kvasnicka: Kvasnicka is another high-energy forward, but one who can wow you with some of his individual plays. He’s also not afraid of taking on the body if it helps draw opponents away from his linemates. Kvasnicka is one of the more intriguing players on USA’s roster because he can be a tough nut to contain when things go his way.
Will Belle: Belle is a force of nature. He’s a 6-foot-4, 218-pound monster who can take down just about anyone who gets in his way and will then proceed to make life miserable for you in front of the net. I like his shot, too. I hope these two games make for a breakthrough performance.
Jack Murtagh: Murtagh has shown enough skill with the puck to earn some serious first-round consideration this year. because he’s been one of the best – if not, THE best – player in most games so far this year. Murtagh has a lethal shot and plays well on the rush, and I think he would shine a lot more had he had better linemates to work with this year.
Cole McKinney: McKinney is a mid-sized, two-way center who can play on the penalty kill, block shots and win a ton of faceoffs. He’s not going to be a playdriver in the NHL, but he’s detail-oriented and exceptionally smart. McKinney also isn’t afraid to land a big hit to channel some energy, either.
L.J. Mooney: Mooney has missed most of the season with an injury, but he’s back in time to put his name back on the map. Mooney has first-round talent – he’s one of the most energetic, skilled wingers you’ll find in this draft class. But at 5-foot-6, there’s an obvious concern about his size. At the very least, he’s so much fun to watch.
William Moore: If you look at how smart Moore is with the puck, you see a future NHLer there. He has the physical maturity and raw hockey IQ to handle quality competition and he moves well for his size, too. There are times this year when it looks like he’s the only USNTDP player who looks fully engaged on any given night, too.
Conrad Fondrk: Fondrk was one of USA’s top players at the recent U-18 Five Nations tournament – arguably the best hockey of his season. He can be a bit too hot-and-cold for my liking but he’s known for making some fantastic plays in open space. But when he’s hot, like he has been recently, Fondrk can be a difference-maker.
Andrew O’Neill: O’Neill is a rugged forward who powers through opponents to make offense. He’s strong, has quick feet, and plays at a pace that makes it difficult for the opposition to contain. From a raw skill standpoint, you see what scouts really like – he’s smart, is always moving and is looking to generate chances with his linemates instead of trying to do things himself.
Landon Hafele (2026 NHL Draft): Born three days after the cutoff for the 2025 NHL Draft, Hafele has a lot to like. He’s not one of the more talented players on this team, but he’s got plenty of translatables – he’s strong, hits everything in sight and has a great motor. Scouts really love the way Hafele defends in his own zone, too. I think he’ll be an NHLer. And the best part? He’s an Alaskan-born forward who’s headed to Arizona State University. That’s going to be quite the culture shock, isn’t it?
Will Horcoff: Horcoff comes from NHL bloodlines, with his father being Shawn Horcoff – who happens to have two titles with Canada’s World Championship team. His dad was a gritty playmaker during his peak days with the Oilers, but Will loves to put players through the glass whenever possible. He hasn’t put up a ton of points this year, but he’s good in his own zone and is one of the team’s better back checkers.
Jake Stuart: The Americans always seem to have a few high-paced energy forwards that fly under the radar. Stuart might be that guy this year. He hasn’t produced much offensively the past two years, but he seems to never stop forechecking and trying whatever it takes to win puck battles. Stuart’s skating is excellent, too.
Ben Kevan: Kevan is one of two invitees from the USHL tasked to help fill out the roster. The Arizona State University commit has a ton of upside because he combines a hard work ethic with load of skill. But as many scouts have pointed out, game-to-game consistency is a concern. Still, I think Kevan is smart and skilled enough to be a top 60 pick.
Matthew Lansing: Lansing hasn’t been overly productive with the Waterloo Black Hawks, but he was one of USA’s best net-front players at the Hlinka Gretzky. He is a solid goal-scorer who has the strength and hockey IQ to beat defenders on a consistent basis.
Defensemen
Garrett Lindberg: Lindberg is small, but he’s good in his own zone. He’s always buzzing around and looking to get in the way of shots and plays on the penalty kill, too. Lindberg’s biggest flaw is his play with the puck, which limits his overall effectiveness. But at this rate, I think teams might like the way he battles in his own zone and takes space away despite being 5-foot-11.
Lincoln Kuehne (2026 NHL Draft): Kuehne has some solid size at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He’s much stronger than he was last year and that has translated into pure power and a better shot. Kuehne is still quite raw – his puck play needs work – but he gets in the way of shots and has a decent active stick.
Maceo Phillips: Phillips is a massive, 6-foot-5, 214-pound defender that uses every bit of his frame to push guys around and poke pucks away. He’s strong, and always seems to be looking to land at least one big hit a game. He skates well, too. His mobility and frame will make him an attractive option for teams chasing size in the second or third round.
Drew Schock IV: There have been a handful of games where Schock was easily the top player on the USNTDP this year. He can be flashy, and I feel like his overall offensive game is better than his limited-point production might suggest. That’s because Schock is always moving and looking to get engaged in any way possible with and without the puck. With Amico injured, Schock should gain even more attention this year.
Asher Barnett: Barnett isn’t spectacular in any one thing, but he’s good at so many. He likes to join in on the attack, has a powerful shot release and enjoys throwing hits. The University of Michigan commit is a solid two-way defenseman who could end up getting taken as a mid-round pick as he continues to show a bit more promise with the disk.
Charlie Trethewey: Trethewey isn’t popping off by any means this year like he did a year ago, but you can see his two-way acumen and his physical traits that make him intriguing. Even though he’s not overly big at 6-foot-1, he takes up a lot of space and puts a lot of power into both his shots and his hits.
Donato Bracco: The younger brother of former USNTDP standout Jeremy Bracco, Donato is a small defenseman who does quite a bit to help out in his own zone. He’s kind of like this year’s Lane/Cole Hutson – really creative with the puck and attacks open space quite often. Bracco does tend to try and do a bit too much too often but he has the pure skill to create plays.
Goaltenders
Patrick Quinlan: Quinlan has statistically been USA’s top goaltender this year. He was great in his two starts at the recent U-18 international tournament earlier this month, making some excellent efforts against Sweden and Czechia. He’s very competitive and moves well, and he seems to play better the busier he is.
Harrison Boettiger (2026 NHL Draft): Boettinger grew a bit this year and it seems to have helped. He’s still not huge at 6-foot-2, but I feel like he does a good job of containing high shots and directing the puck where he wants it to go. His play at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge last year is one of the reasons why an underpowered American team was able to challenge for a medal.
Joey Slavick: Fun fact: Slavick served as Sweden’s backup goalie at the World Junior Summer Showcase due to equipment issues for the team’s actual options. Despite being 5-foot-10, Slavick has had some decent showings, with a better save percentage than Boettinger in the same number of games. He’s not big, but he moves quite quickly in the crease.
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