Six CHL players to watch at 2025 World U17 Hockey Challenge

The 2025 World U17 Hockey Challenge is set to begin later today from Truro, N.S. where more than 40 CHL players will suit up for Canada Red and Canada White.

A year ago, Canada White – who were led by Ethan Belchetz (Windsor/OHL), Ryan Lin (Vancouver/WHL) and Mathis Preston (Spokane/WHL) – won gold after a 3-1 win over Canada Red. It marked the second straight year that Canada White were victorious and Canada’s 16th overall gold medal at the event.

In all, 38 CHL clubs are represented throughout Canada’s two teams while the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), Newfoundland Regiment (QMJHL), Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), Regina Pats (WHL), Sarnia Sting (OHL) and Victoria Royals (WHL) each have a pair of representatives. Furthermore, 33 first round picks from across the CHL’s three members league will be on display.

The entire tournament can be streamed through HNLive by clicking here while the entire schedule can be found here.

This year, a number of top-tier talent – who will be looking to catch the eye early of NHL scouts – will suit up between Canada’s two rosters. With that being said, here are six players to keep an eye on this week:

Canada White

Kaden McGregor – Peterborough Petes (OHL)

The first overall pick in the 2025 OHL Draft, McGregor has so far proven his worth with the Petes. In 10 games, McGregor has two goals and six points all while taking just 14 shots on goal. He scored his first OHL goal Oct. 9 while he’s also tallied two multi-point outings. McGregor will also wear an ‘A’ at the tournament.

Maddox Schultz – Regina Pats (WHL)

The Pats made Schultz the first overall pick in the 2025 WHL Draft and the early returns have seen him tally four assists in eight games. While he still awaits his first WHL goal, it’s not for a lack of trying; he’s recorded 18 shots on goal this season. He’s also impressed in the faceoff circle too having won 57.1 per cent of the 119 draws he has taken. Alongside Pats teammate Liam Pue, they are the first pair of 15-year-old’s to play in the tournament since 2019. Ahead of the tournament, Schultz has been named captain of Canada White.

Jaakko Wycisk – Guelph Storm (OHL)

Wycisk, the second overall pick in the 2025 OHL Draft, has taken like a duck to water in the OHL as through 13 games with Guelph, he has played at a point-per-game pace. He sits tied fourth in OHL rookie scoring with 13 points while his seven goals are tied for second most. He scored his first OHL goal in his second career game on Sept. 20 while he registered his first multi-goal game Oct. 17. In the faceoff circle, Wycisk has also won 61 draws this season.

Jaakko Wycisk has your @AssuredAuto Collision Impact Play of the Game with his first career OHL goal! pic.twitter.com/HXTSrmMLhr

— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) September 21, 2025

Canada Red

Loik Gariepy – Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

One of the youngest players at the tournament – Gariepy doesn’t turn 17 until next June – the Tigres forward has adapted well to life in the QMJHL this season. He started the season with a bang as he tallied a goal and an assist in his first two career games and through 12 contests this year, Gariepy has four goals and eight points and sits in the top 12 in rookie Q scoring. Of the 22 shots he has taken this year, 14 have been classified as ‘dangerous’ while he has also won 51 faceoffs.

Alexis Joseph – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Another first overall pick, Joseph was taken in the top spot earlier this year by the Sea Dogs and rightfully so. Through a dozen games, Joseph has 10 points (five goals) and a +6 rating. After going pointless in his first three games, Joseph exploded for a hat-trick on Sept. 27 to jumpstart his rookie campaign. His 36 shots are the sixth most among rookies while he has fared well in the faceoff circle with a 55.1 per cent success rate.

It sure looks like Alexis Joseph found his groove with @SJSeaDogs 😏

A pretty one for his 4th career QMJHL goal! pic.twitter.com/FQSDGMrL2Y

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) October 4, 2025

Chase Surkan – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Surkan’s rookie season has been nothing short of sensational so far in Brandon. In just 11 games, Surkan has 12 goals and 19 points. He leads all WHL rookies in goals scored while he sits third in scoring. Furthermore, his 1.73 point-per-game average is the fourth best among all WHL skaters and his 10 power play goals are the most in the league.

More than 2,000 NHL draft picks have suited up since the inception of the U17 World Challenge (previously known as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and Quebec Esso Cup) in 1986, including 11 CHL alumni since 2001 who were later drafted first overall to the NHL (Rick Nash, 2002; Marc-André Fleury, 2003; Patrick Kane, 2007; John Tavares, 2009; Taylor Hall, 2010, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2011; Nathan MacKinnon, 2013; Aaron Ekblad, 2014; Connor McDavid, 2015; Alexis Lafrenière, 2020, Matthew Schaefer 2025).