Giants Defenceman Colton Roberts Named to 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Roster

Vancouver Giants defenceman Colton Roberts is one of 18 Western Hockey League players selected to compete in the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B.

The Canadian Hockey League announced the 40 invitees on Tuesday.

Selected by the NHL’s 32 clubs, the 40 chosen players from across the WHL, Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) will compete before hundreds of NHL scouts in an effort to improve their draft stock ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Roberts, from Maple Ridge, B.C. was one of four Giants on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List released in October. The right-shot defenceman was given a ‘B’ rating, which indicates players projected to be second or third-round candidates at the 2024 NHL Draft.

“The Giants congratulate Colton for being selected to partake in the 2024 Kubota Top Prospects Game,” Giants General Manager Barclay Parneta said. “Colton is extremely focused on getting better each and every day. We look forward to his continued growth in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants.”

In 33 games so far this season, the 17-year-old Roberts has recorded seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points, including 11 power play points. Those 18 points are tied for the most amongst U18 draft-eligible defencemen in the WHL, along with Everett Silvertips defenceman Tarin Smith. Roberts was originally selected by the Giants with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 28th edition of this showcase and it will represent the first time that the event has taken place in the province of New Brunswick.  

​​The 40 players will be assigned to either Team Red or Team White in the new year, while captains and alternates for both squads will also be announced in January. Of the 40 CHL players to compete at the 2023 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Langley, B.C., 37  went on to be selected in the 2023 NHL Draft. 

Since the reintroduction as the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in 1996, the event has featured 16 players who were later selected first overall in the NHL Draft including Connor Bedard (2023), Alexis Lafreniere (2020), Nico Hischier (2017), Connor McDavid (2015), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Taylor Hall (2010), John Tavares (2009), Steven Stamkos (2008) and Patrick Kane (2007).

The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game airs live on TSN, TSN.ca, the TSN app, and RDS on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (3:30 p.m. PT). 

Previous Vancouver Giants to represent the Giants at the Top Prospects Game in the last 10 years include:

• Jaden Lipinski (2023)
• Sam Honzek (2023, inj. – unable to participate)
• Justin Sourdif (2020)
• Bowen Byram (2019)
• Milos Roman (2018, inj. – unable to participate)
• Tyler Benson (2016)
• Ty Ronning (2016)

See below for the full list of WHL players invited to participate in the 2024 Top Prospects Game: