Brad MacKenzie named Assistant Coach for CHL USA Prospects Challenge
2026-10-01
Halifax Mooseheads bench boss Brad MacKenzie has been named as a Team CHL Assistant Coach for the upcoming CHL USA Prospects Challenge. The third annual event will bring together many of the top players eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft as Team CHL faces the U.S. National Under-18 Team on December 1st and 2nd in Chicoutimi and Quebec City.
MacKenzie, a native of Charlottetown, PE, will be joined on the bench by Head Coach Ryan Oulahen of the North Bay Battalion and fellow assistants Kyle Chipchura of the Edmonton Oil Kings and Ryan MacDonald from the Prince Albert Raiders.
“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff for the CHL prospects challenge. As a coach, I really value the chance to work alongside great coaches and am excited to see the top talent for the 2027 NHL Draft firsthand,” said MacKenzie.
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) previously announced forwards Brock England of the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), Dima Zhilkin of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), Alexis Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL), and Carter Meyer of the Québec Remparts (QMJHL) as the first four players named to Team CHL for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris.
The group features one player from each Member League—England from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Zhilkin from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Joseph from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—along with Meyer, who adds a second QMJHL selection and a host-market connection in Québec City. All four are considered top prospects eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.
Across the first two editions of the event, 42 of the 44 players who represented Team CHL were subsequently selected in the NHL Draft, including 27 in the first round.
Tickets for both games are on sale now at CHL.ca/ProspectsChallenge
Additional details—including broadcast coverage, and the full Team CHL roster—will be announced at a later date.
