Reid determined to be best of the best
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media)
No one can say Chase Reid doesn’t have lofty aspirations.
The Soo Greyhounds defenceman will have one major goal when he suits up for Team Canadian Hockey League this week.
The CHL’s top prospects for next summer’s NHL Entry Draft are slated to square off against the United States National Under-18 Team in the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge.
“I want to show the NHL scouts I’m the top prospect in the draft,” said Reid, prior to leaving for the two-game series, set for Tuesday in Calgary and Wednesday in Lethbridge, Alta.
Does the 17-year-old (2007 birth year) truly believe that?
“Yeah,” said Reid, a six-foot-three, 190-pounder in his second OHL season. “I can’t wait to play with the best players in the CHL.”
A native of Chesterfield, Mich., Reid begins this week as the Ontario Hockey League’s second-leading scorer among defencemen.
In 25 games, he’s produced 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points, four back of Windsor’s Carson Woodall (6-26-32). Reid also has a plus-minus of plus-15.
Considered an outstanding skater, Reid also has a dangerous shot and the ability to see the ice extremely well. While logging roughly 28 minutes of ice time per game this season, he’s also taken significant strides defensively.
In a recent interview, Soo head coach John Dean called him the “No. 1 defenceman in the league, bar none.”
The majority of the players who’ll compete this week were selected from a list of top 2026 draft prospects developed in consultation with all 32 NHL clubs.
If an NHL scout or general manager were to ask Reid why he believes they should draft him in the first round, the player answered without hesitation.
“Because I won’t stop working until I get to the top of the totem pole,” he said.
Following Saturday’s 4-3 loss to London at GFL Memorial Gardens, Reid was spotted in Dean’s office.
Asked what advice his coach gave him prior to departing on Sunday, Reid said: “Just go and be yourself and everything will work out.”
The Greyhounds are idle until beginning a two-game trip on Friday (7:05 p.m.) in Sarnia. They’re also slated to visit Flint (7 p.m.) on Saturday. Reid is expected to rejoin his teammates for the weekend games.
