Sarnia’s Sophomore Standouts Ready to Represent Team CHL at the 2025 Prospects Challenge
The Sarnia Sting will be well represented at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, as forwards Alessandro Di Iorio and Beckham Edwards prepare to showcase their talent on one of the biggest stages of their young careers.
For Di Iorio, who has six points in six games this season after returning from injury, the chance to compete among the best draft-eligible players in the game is a moment he’s been looking toward for a long time.
“I think it’s an honour,” he said. “I watched it last year with my billets, and we actually went to London to watch it. You see so many of those guys, like Schaefer, who’s having a great career right now, who played in this tournament before… It’s a super great opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.”
He made the trip with a familiar face beside him. Edwards, who is off to an impressive start with 19 points in 23 games, said the news that both players had earned roster spots only added to the excitement.
“It was a really nice feeling when I heard that me and Dio were both going to be on the team,” Edwards said. “He’s a great teammate, and it’s nice seeing that all his hard work is paying off.”
Both players agree that having a teammate at the event eases the nerves and elevates the experience.
“I think it helps just for the comfort of the group,” Di Iorio said. “I’m excited to see some new faces, but it’s always nice to have one of your buddies with you.”
Edwards echoed that: “We’ve played together at a couple of these events before, and it’s always nice having someone I know going into the tournament.”
Edwards, one of three ‘B’-rated forwards on Team CHL, is eager to show scouts what sets him apart.
“I can show scouts so much about myself from this team,” he said. “I play all over the ice on both sides of the puck and hopefully create a lasting impact in their heads.”
His teammate Di Iorio is confident they’ll learn plenty about Edwards this week.
“He’s an unreal player – super competitive and wants to win,” Di Iorio said. “He’s definitely a player to watch in this tournament.”
And Edwards sees the same potential in Di Iorio.
“I think two things,” he said. “One is his work ethic – he’s always hard on pucks. And I think his shot as well. He has a great shot… it helps him beat lots of goalies.”
Together, Di Iorio and Edwards will aim to bring a little Sarnia Sting flavour to the international spotlight as two teammates ready for their moment and ready to show why their futures in the game are worth watching.
Related Article: Di Iorio and Edwards: The Rookie Duo Changing the Game in Sarnia
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About the CHL USA Prospects Challenge
First introduced in 2024, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge is a best-on-best, two-game series spotlighting the top NHL Draft-eligible players from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL facing off against the U.S. National Under-18 Team. The inaugural edition, held last November in London and Oshawa, proved a major success – 16 of 22 players on Team CHL were selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
The 2025 edition, hosted by the Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes, will once again spotlight elite NHL prospects projected to headline the 2026 NHL Draft – including Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), and Egor Shilov (Victoriaville Tigres / QMJHL) among the 15 CHL players who earned an “A” rating (first-round candidate) on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List. Full Team CHL roster details are linked here, with player notes and profiles accessible here. Fans can catch both games live in Canada on TSN and RDS on November 25 (Calgary) and November 26 (Lethbridge), with puck drop set for 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. ET. In the United States, both games will air live on NHL Network and can be streamed outside of Canada on Victory+. Tickets for both games are available now at chl.ca/prospectschallenge.
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