Tanner Howe and Team Red win 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
From the Western Hockey League | Cami Kepke
Moncton, N.B.- More than 7,500 people packed into Moncton’s Avenir Centre to see 40 of the brightest NHL Entry Draft hopefuls on Wednesday night at the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Trailing Team White 1-0 in the second period, Vancouver Giants defenceman Colton Roberts nailed a slick cross-ice pass to Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals) to get Team Red on the board.
Hey, we know that guy!
Colton Roberts with the 🍏as Team Red gets on the board at #CHLKTP @WHLGiants | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/EoiP6sdI59
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 25, 2024
Roberts, who is ranked 24th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, linked up with Everett Silvertips rookie Julius Miettinen (ranked 49th) to set up a crash-bang goal for Raoul Boilard (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) that would stand as the game-winner as Team Red went on to a 3-1 victory.
Despite the loss, Tij Iginla’s standout performance earned him Player of the Game honours for Team White.
The Kelowna Rockets star and son of Hockey Hall-of-Famer and WHL legend Jarome Iginla is ranked 11th by Central Scouting.
“He’s competitive. He’s hard. He’s exceptionally smart. There’s not a lot of flash and dash to Tij. But what there is, is massive substance. And if that doesn’t describe Jarome, I can’t I don’t know what does,” TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button said. “We’ve seen that in this game with Tij Iginla, the ability to get in and around the net, to get the puck off, to get really good scoring chances, but also making really good plays. The awareness that he has in all areas of the game is tremendous.”
Liam Greentree of the Windsor Spitfires scored the lone goal for Team White.
In net, rookie Tri-City Americans goaltender Lukas Matecha (ranked ninth among North American netminders) stopped all 19 shots he faced for Team Red in just under 30 minutes of ice time.
Popřel!
-Lukas Matecha (probably)@TCAmericans | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/fw7DWPbgls
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 25, 2024
At the other end of the ice, Spokane Chiefs goalie Dawson Cowan (ranked fifth among North American netminders) turned away 16 of 17 shots faced.
The win marked Team Red’s first win in the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game since 2018.
