Spirit’s Dima Zhilkin named to Team CHL for 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris
TORONTO — Saginaw Spirit forward Dima Zhilkin has been named to Team CHL for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced Wednesday.
The Windsor, Ont., native is one of the first four players confirmed for this year’s two-game series, joining forwards Brock England of the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), Alexis Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) and Carter Meyer of the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL). All four are top prospects eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.
A 5-foot-11, 195-pound left winger, Zhilkin currently serves as the 27th captain in Spirit history, coming off a season where he set career highs with 36 goals, 39 assists and 75 points in 59 games in 2025-26. He added three goals and an assist in four playoff games. The former Spirit first round OHL Draft pick was recently named OHL Player of the Week, producing five points (3-2–5) over his first two games.
Internationally, Zhilkin led Canada with five goals and seven points in five games at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship after scoring three goals in five games during Canada’s bronze-medal run at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Most recently, he recorded three goals and an assist in two games at the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase in his hometown of Windsor, highlighted by a two-goal, three-point performance against Finland.
“Brock England and Dima Zhilkin are two dynamic, skilled forwards who generate offence,” said Karl Stewart, Vice President and Director of NHL Central Scouting. “Zhilkin is poised to be a top scorer in the OHL.”
Zhilkin is set to become the 16th Spirit player to participate in either the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game or the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Saginaw’s 15 previous representatives include Brandon Saad, Vincent Trocheck, Cole Perfetti and Zayne Parekh. Zhilkin follows Michael Misa (2024) and Nikita Klepov (2025), making Saginaw the only CHL club represented in each of the first three editions of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge.
About the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris
The third annual event brings together many of the top players eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft as Team CHL faces the U.S. National Under-18 Team. The series opens Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Georges-Vézina Centre in Chicoutimi before moving to the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City on Wednesday, Dec. 2. The Chicoutimi Saguenéens and Quebec Remparts will serve as host clubs.
The CHL also announced Wednesday that Primaris will serve as presenting partner of this year’s series.
“Brock, Dima, Alexis and Carter have distinguished themselves through their performances for their clubs and on the international stage, and they provide an exciting first look at the talent that will represent Team CHL this December,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “Fans in Chicoutimi and Quebec City will have a special opportunity to see the next generation of NHL talent compete head-to-head.”
Across the first two editions, 42 of the 44 players who represented Team CHL were subsequently selected in the NHL Draft, including 27 in the first round. Notable OHL alumni of the event include Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer, selected first overall in 2025, and Brantford Bulldogs forward Caleb Malhotra, chosen third overall in 2026.
“The two-game CHL USA Prospects Challenge format is a priority scouting event for NHL scouts and general managers, as it brings together some of the top talent available for the 2027 NHL Draft,” said Stewart.
The remaining members of Team CHL’s roster will be announced in October. Tickets for both games are on sale now at CHL.ca/ProspectsChallenge.
Also named to Team CHL
Brock England (C) — Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL): The Red Deer, Alta., native led all 2009-born WHL skaters with 21 goals and 51 points in 64 games, and won gold at the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Alexis Joseph (C) — Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL): The first overall pick in the 2025 QMJHL Draft from Lachenaie, Que., led all QMJHL 16-year-olds with 24 goals and 60 points in 54 games and helped Canada win gold at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Carter Meyer (C) — Quebec Remparts (QMJHL): The Winchester, Mass., native joined the Remparts this season after recording 15 goals and 37 points in 42 USHL games with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
