Mentor and Captain: McKee–Malhotra Duo Leads Team CHL into 2025 Prospects Challenge

There’s a comfort in familiarity, especially when the stakes are high. For Caleb Malhotra, representing Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge comes at a pivotal moment in his young career, with a chance to showcase himself on a national stage. And having Jay McKee behind the bench brings a sense of calm amid the pressure.

“Having Jay be on the bench is huge, just knowing I got a really trusted coach close by is really comforting,” Malhotra said of his Brantford Bulldogs head coach joining the roster.

For McKee, the invitation to coach Team CHL arrives at a particularly meaningful time. The veteran bench boss recently recorded his 300th OHL coaching win, becoming just the 20th head coach in league history to reach the milestone. Yet even in the wake of the achievement, McKee’s focus remains firmly on his players.

“For me, this event should be all about the athletes,” McKee explained. “So much support, hard work and sacrifices have been made by their families over the years to help each of them get to this point. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to help the players showcase themselves as a team on such a big stage and in an important time in their lives.”

That philosophy has clearly resonated with Malhotra, who was named captain of Team CHL. The 17-year-old centre was the eighth overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection and has flourished under McKee’s guidance during his rookie season with the top-ranked Bulldogs. Through 23 games, Malhotra ranks 12th in OHL scoring with 29 points (10-19–29), trailing only fellow Team CHL teammate Nikita Klepov among rookie scorers.

“I’m honoured not only to represent the CHL, but also to wear the ‘C,'” Malhotra said. “Being able to represent Canada in a way is such a special opportunity.”

McKee’s faith in his young captain is evident. When asked what it meant to see Malhotra’s name on the Team CHL roster, McKee didn’t hesitate.

“I was very happy to see Caleb Malhotra’s name on the roster,” McKee said. “Having the ability to watch him daily, his work ethic, abilities and how he carries himself off the ice – it was a well-deserved honour for Caleb to be added to the roster.”

Malhotra also sought advice from veterans who had played in the event before, including his teammate and current Bulldogs captain, Jake O’Brien. 

“I’ve asked Jake a bit about last year and his experience,” Malhotra explained. “He’s pretty helpful, just saying how much he liked it last year. I’m just excited to get the opportunity to play in these games; it’s really unbelievable. Getting to showcase myself for the draft and represent the CHL is really cool.”

What McKee sees in Malhotra on a nightly basis is a complete player. The Toronto native, son of former NHL veteran Manny Malhotra, has evolved into one of the OHL’s most well-rounded young talents.

“Caleb has been a jack of all trades,” McKee said. “He’s a very well-rounded player who’s been excelling in all areas. He brings a strong, consistent work ethic, combining it with physicality, high-end playmaking, and goal-scoring. He’s been used in all areas with us in Brantford, eating big minutes at 5v5, while also being a regular on our special teams.”

At the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, national scouts will witness two sides of Malhotra’s game. On the ice, they’ll see a competitive player with elite skill sets. Off the ice, they’ll encounter something equally valuable.

“The rest of the country will see a charismatic off-ice personality in Caleb who brings a consistent positive attitude and is very engaging with teammates,” McKee said. “On the ice, his competitive game face switches on. He is a very competitive player with high-end skill sets.”

As McKee and Malhotra head to Alberta to begin the two-game series, their partnership represents more than just a coach-player dynamic. It’s a testament to the mentorship that has defined McKee’s career – a coach who celebrates his players’ achievements as much as his own milestones. And for Malhotra, having that trusted voice on the bench provides the foundation to showcase why he’s already among the OHL’s elite rookies.

 

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.