2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge scouting reports: Forwards

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.

Part one of the series will look at Team CHL’s stacked forward roster that includes 10 players recently given ‘Grade A’ status in the NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2026 NHL Draft.

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.

Ethan Belchetz – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A

Ethan is a combination of size, strength and skills who projects as a power forward. He’s made noticeable improvements to his footwork, agility, and overall quickness. He is a player that is tough to handle down low and is a beast in front of the net. He has really good offensive hockey sense and can think the game with smart players, has the ability to read and react with good anticipation and good hands and shot to generate chances. His two way game combined with his work ethic gives him a very high ceiling.

A combination of size, skill and natural offensive instincts. Maddox is an offensive threat playing on the top line with the Quebec Remparts including the power play. He has high end puck skills and an ability to make plays in tight areas. Has an excellent shot release and is a threat from all angles. His skating is continuing to improve as he adds strength and develops. He is utilized on the wing but has had success as a center. The combination of size and goal scoring abilities make him an intriguing NHL prospect.

Alessandro Di Iorio – Sarnia Sting (OHL)
NHL CS rating: Grade A 

Alessandro is a playmaking center who played a prominent for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament. He has the smarts and drive to push the pace and plays hard and fast. He can control and set up the play while making the players he plays with better. Reliable defensively and not afraid to play physical. Soft hands with good sense and can fire the puck. An exciting prospect who will garner a lot of NHL interest.

Beckham Edwards – Sarnia Sting (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade B

Beckham can impact with his speed and puck skills and is elusive to check utilizing an NHL pull away gear. He brings a competitive offensive edge to each and every game and plays hard on both sides of the puck. He has an excellent shot release and can get it off in a hurry, along with clever plays in the offensive zone. He is a solid two-way prospect who will continue to grow and get better.

Chase Harrington – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade B 

Chase is a very solid all-round winger with a strong two-way game. A coach’s player that can be utilized up and down a lineup, and is capable to contribute in all situations; makes an impression on both the power play and penalty kill. The type of player that works hard, battles, and will stand up for his teammates. A very good skater with speed and quickness. He is smart away from the puck in both ends and shows good attention to detail.

JP Hurlbert – Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A

JP is off to an excellent start in his WHL career, scoring at a very high pace and leading the league early on. JP is used as the top line center in Kamloops and is a key contributor on both the penalty kill and the power play. An elite offensive player with good awareness and does everything quick with high tempo. He has the ability to find open space and will get behind defenders to create odd man rushes. A good shot with a quick release and can score on the one-timer. A very good touch around the net, competes with the ability to come up with loose pucks and generate chances.

Nikita Klepov – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A

Nikita is off to a great start to his OHL career producing near the top of the league offensively. He plays a high energy offensive game and is always dangerous every time he has the puck and is the a “go to” shooter on the power play – one of the best one-timers in this draft class. He gets involved all over the ice, plays physical and in the trenches. He has a high hockey IQ with his elite puck skills and knows how to find the back of the net.

Caleb Malhotra – Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Caleb has made his mark right away on a deep Brantford team producing very good offensive numbers. He has a good combination of size, skating ability, and does everything well with and without the puck. He has excellent hockey sense, plays a responsible 200-foot game, and knows how to create and finish offensively. Caleb is the type of player you want on the ice in any situation and plays the pro-style game with high end skills, work habits and compete.

Adam Novotny – Peterborough Petes (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Adam is an excellent skater with footwork and agility to go with good size. He displays excellent hockey sense and offensive instincts and skills. He has fast hands and good moves with the ability to fight through traffic and execute plays. Plays with an edge and competes with his smarts and skills. Good playmaker setting up teammates and has a quick release shot. A top line forward who plays a big role in Peterborough and has all the elements of a good pro prospect.

Mathis Preston – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Mathis is one of the most dynamic forwards in this year’s draft. Quick and fast, he plays a high paced game with a non-stop motor and finds ways to contribute. Excellent vision and play making ability, capable to make plays at speed and beat defenders one on one. Plays a 200 foot game and shows a lot of determination applying back pressure when the play is going towards his defensive zone. Not intimidated to execute in any situation.

Brooks Rogowski – Oshawa Generals (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Brooks is a big 6’7″ center who does the little things well down the middle. Utilizes his excellent size and reach asset and is hard to contain, has a strong net front game and effective puck protection game down low. He plays the game with good habits. Skates and gets around really well for his stature, able to arrive on time on plays. Playing a big role in Oshawa and in all situations. A player that always brings his work boots and rarely loses a puck battle – a solid pro prospect with a high ceiling.

Ryan Roobroeck – Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A

Ryan is coming off a two great OHL seasons offensively, with a history of goalscoring and playmaking production. He is big and strong with a really soft touch around the net with an NHL shot release. He has the ability to score in bunches and in different ways. Has good vision and sense as he sees the ice well and moves the puck quickly and with precision. He is effective with the puck in traffic and has a good puck protection game. When he brings his best effort, he’s a scoring threat and difference maker – a prospect with tons of talent.

Egor Shilov – Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
NHLCS rating: Grade A 

Egor is an impactful offensive player with a lot of creativity. Excellent puck skills mixed in with a great IQ and vision to execute at a high level. Very agile on his edges, controls the pace of the game and will find openings. Elusive, composed and confident with the puck on his stick, the type of player who wants to have the puck. Elite passer and set-up man, he finds his teammates all over the ice. Good shot release which makes him a dual threat as a playmaker and finisher. A special offensive prospect.