CHL & USA Hockey announce CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota
The first edition of this new event will take place in November 2024 and see the top first-year NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL’s three-member leagues face off against those from USA Hockey’s NTDP in a two-game series
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and its three-member leagues, in partnership with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP), are excited to announce the creation of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota, which is being added to the calendar over the next three years.
Building off of one of hockey’s greatest rivalries between Canada and the United States, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will see the top first-year NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL’s three-member leagues – Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – face off against those from USA Hockey’s NTDP in a two-game series.
During the series, players from both the CHL and NTDP competing in this event will play before hundreds of NHL scouts and thousands of fans in an effort to improve their draft stock ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft. Players for the CHL team will be provided by NHL Central Scouting as selected by the NHL’s 32 clubs, and much like other national events in the CHL, the hosting duties of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will rotate between the CHL’s three-member league markets each year. The first edition of this new event is set to take place in November 2024 with specific details on the date, location, and event format to come at a later date.
Fans interested in learning more about the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge are encouraged to enter their name and contact information at chl.ca/prospectschallenge. Once entered, you will be placed on a list to receive special communications on event information, tickets, and more.
“The Canadian Hockey League is excited to partner with USA Hockey to add this one-of-a-kind event for both our players and fans to enjoy over the coming seasons,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “Serving as a best-on-best showcase, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will provide our top draft-eligible players from across the CHL with a great opportunity to demonstrate their elite talent and world-class skill set as they work towards hearing their name called at the NHL Draft.”
“We’re very much looking forward to this creative new event with the Canadian Hockey League,” stated Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey. “It will provide our players with yet another opportunity to compete at a high level on the international stage as an additional part of their overall development.”
“This Prospects Challenge will give NHL Clubs and CHL fans the unique opportunity to see the best Canadian and American NHL draft-eligible prospects compete in a two-game series, and it will provide the only time during the hockey season that some of the top-ranked prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class will compete in a best-on-best patriotic rivalry,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “This event provides an exclusive advance look at these top prospects and is the perfect venue for the CHL and USA Hockey players to showcase their skills and attributes.”
“Kubota Canada is proud to be a sponsor of the new CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and we look forward to continuing to support the CHL in their mission to provide a platform to grow and develop the players of tomorrow,” added Steve Sweetnam, Director of Marketing at Kubota Canada Ltd.
About the Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is the world’s largest development hockey league with 51 Canadian and nine American teams participating in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League (NHL) and U SPORTS than any other league. During the 2023-24 season, of the 1,000-plus players who played a game in the NHL, over 430 came through the CHL. At the 2023 NHL Draft, 80 CHL players were selected, including 11 in the first round.
About USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program
USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program is a two-year residency program for high-performance players that is located at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The goal of the full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice.
About Kubota Canada Ltd.
Kubota Canada Ltd. (KCL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kubota Corporation, a tractor and heavy equipment manufacturer based in Osaka, Japan. KCL markets and distributes Kubota engineered and manufactured machinery and equipment, including a complete line of tractors of up to 200 Gross HP, performance-matched implements, compact construction, commercial turf and landscaping products, utility vehicles, and consumer lawn and garden equipment. KCL is also the Canadian distributor for Great Plains, Kverneland, and Land Pride products, all of which are also wholly owned subsidiaries of Kubota Corporation. For product literature or dealer locations, contact Kubota Canada Ltd. at 1155 Kubota Drive, Pickering, Ontario, Canada L1X 0H4, 905 294-6535, or visit kubota.ca.
