2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge scouting reports: Defencemen and goaltenders

With the second edition of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge taking place next week, NHL Central Scouting has granted a behind the scenes look at their evaluation of players involved in the game.

In part one, we looked at the 13 forwards that were named to Team CHL. Now, we’ll now look at the seven defencemen and two goaltenders.

Building off of one of hockey’s greatest rivalries between Canada and the United States, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will see players from the CHL and NTDP’s U18 team compete before hundreds of NHL scouts and thousands of fans in an effort to improve their draft stock ahead of next year’s NHL Draft. Game 1 will take place in Calgary Nov. 25 while Lethbridge will host Game 2 a day later.

The 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge will be broadcast live across Canada on TSN and RDS. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. ET both nights. Tickets are available now at chl.ca/prospectschallenge.

Please note: the following scouting reports have been lightly edited for clarity.

Defencemen

Carson Carels – Prince George (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Carson is a unique all-round d-man who has offensive talent and brings a physical element while playing sound defensively. He can play big minutes and is deployed in all situations with the ability to run a power play. An excellent puck transporter and distributor who drives offence and shows some elite offensive skill. He skates very well with excellent mobility and agility and can defend with speed. Plays with his head on a swivel in the defensive zone and is good at taking away passing and shooting lanes. A potential top pair defenceman.

Ryan Lin – Vancouver Giants (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A

Ryan is a very high IQ defender and a scoring threat from the point, who sets up teammates to produce big offensive numbers. He thinks the game at an elite level on both sides of the puck. An excellent skater with mobility and quickness and can pull away with speed. A bit under sized but uses his edges to get good leverage on bigger players and defend with a purpose. He sees the ice exceptionally well, moves the puck in all three zones, and his transition game is among the best in this year’s draft class. He can play in all situations and is excellent on the power play and the penalty kill.

Charlie Morrison – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade B

Charlie is a big defender who can contribute in all areas of the game. Strong on his skates with good skating / mobility to shut things down on the defensive side. Plays a physical game, will finish checks and be tough to play against. Retrieves pucks well and sorts out his options in order to execute on zone exits and transition plays. Has some offence in his game which should translate into a solid two-way pro defenceman. A solid prospect with a good upside.

Giorgos Pantelas – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade B 

Giorgos is a top-usage defender with steady minutes in aII situations. He is a strong two-way defender that does a lot well with fluid mobility. He handles the puck often, capable of moving play in pressure situations and reads the play well. He also brings a physical element, finishings checks, and defends with excellent stick work. He has good mobility to avoid forecheck pressure and can carry the play up ice. He is a play maker along the offensive blue line and distributes the puck well. A solid two-way defensive prospect.

Chase Reid – Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Chase is a take charge type of defenceman that dictates the game. He plays a ton of minutes in all situations. A smooth skater with good edges and has that effortless glide. He displays elite hockey sense, composure, with the ability to read and execute plays anywhere on the ice. He can jump up to lead the rush, knows when to pick his spots and has excellent recovery to transition from offence to defence. He is not afraid to mix it up and play physical and finish checks. No holes in his game, the complete package

Daxon Rudolph – Prince Albert (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A

Daxon is a top defender used in all situations logging big minutes. A strong and agile skater who plays a heads-up intelligent game. Ability to control the game, showing poise beyond his years. An excellent QB on the power play, generates scoring chances and quality shots from the point. He brings a calm and confident game under pressure with the ability to evade forecheckers. He makes plays in all three zones, can transport the puck with a commanding presence every shift while impacting in both ends. Strong defensive positioning, ability to break up plays – a complete two-way NHL prospect package who plays a take-charge game.

Xavier Villeneuve – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Xavier is a dynamic pro-active player with elite skating and offensive skills. Undersized defenceman who compensates effectively defending with his skating and smarts. Deceptive and elusive skater in all directions, he’s very agile and shifty in tight areas. Controls the puck well, finds his outlets with precision but also has a strong puck carrying game. Creative and composed game at the offensive blue line, at even strength or while running the power play. Great escape capabilities making him hard to check or defend against. Quick read and react, has excellent vision seeing the ice and finding his teammates. Good understanding of positioning to defend effectively, takes smart routes and angles and makes clever choices managing risks. His overall game continues to keep getting better and he projects as an offensive defenceman at the next level.

Goaltenders

Harrison Boettiger – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade B 

Harrison has a very high skill level with very good net coverage. He plays big in all situations, very smart with great instincts. A patient goalie that is efficient moving throughout the crease. He plays a confident game, good timing on shots, quick and controlled lateral movements throughout the crease and is quick to get across for one-time attempts. He has effective wraparound coverage, very strong holding his ground when players cut hard to the net very strong stance and well balanced. He has a chance to be a quality NHL starter with more development.

Zach Jovanovski – Guelph Storm (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade B 

Zachary has a good pro presence – he’s big, very quick, and athletic. A goalie who competes hard and never gives up on a play with good instincts. He plays with excellent butterfly coverage sealing the ice, five hole and far corner. He is quick to butterfly and recover back to his feet. Plays with efficient and quick lateral crease movements and a very good catching glove hand. Positions himself well with a solid well-balanced stance, quick reflexes and absorbs shots. A goalie prospect with very good pro potential.