Forwards Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL), Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Alexis Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL) and Carter Meyer (Québec Remparts / QMJHL) are the first four players confirmed for the December 1–2 series, as Primaris joins the event as presenting partner

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today that forwards Brock England of the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), Dima Zhilkin of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), Alexis Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL), and Carter Meyer of the Québec Remparts (QMJHL) are the first four players named to Team CHL for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris.

The group features one player from each Member League—England from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Zhilkin from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Joseph from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)—along with Meyer, who adds a second QMJHL selection and a host-market connection in Québec City. All four are considered top prospects eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.

The CHL also announced today that Primaris will serve as the presenting partner of this year’s two-game series in Chicoutimi and Québec City.

MEDIA ASSETS (INCLUDING PHOTOS, HIGHLIGHTS & LOGOS) PLAYER NOTES (PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES, STATISTICS & BACKGROUND INFORMATION)

The third annual event will bring together many of the top players eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft as Team CHL faces the U.S. National Under-18 Team. Across its 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.

This year’s series opens Tuesday, December 1, at the Georges-Vézina Centre in Chicoutimi before moving to the Vidéotron Centre in Québec City on Wednesday, December 2. The Chicoutimi Saguenéens and Québec Remparts will serve as host clubs.

Tickets for both games are on sale now at CHL.ca/ProspectsChallenge.

“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. “Each adds to a proud history for Seattle, Saginaw, Saint John and Québec at the CHL’s premier prospect events. Fans in Chicoutimi and Québec City will have a special opportunity to see the next generation of NHL talent compete head-to-head.”

“We are also proud to welcome Primaris as presenting partner of this year’s event,” added MacKenzie. “Their support will help us spotlight these exceptional young players and deliver a memorable experience for fans in Chicoutimi and Québec City.”

“Primaris is proud to partner with the CHL to celebrate the next generation of Canadian hockey talent and support an event that brings people and communities together,” stated Alex Avery, Chief Executive Officer of Primaris. “Our shopping centres are gathering places in communities across Canada, and this partnership is a natural extension of that role. We’re excited to help create a memorable experience for players and fans in Chicoutimi and Québec City this December.”

“Brock England and Dima Zhilkin are two dynamic, skilled forwards who generate offence,” said Karl Stewart, Vice President and Director of NHL Central Scouting. “England is poised to have a breakout season after winning gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, while Zhilkin is poised to be a top scorer in the OHL. Alexis Joseph is that big, playmaking centre capable of being the difference-maker that all NHL teams covet, and Carter Meyer is a speedy centre with elite skills who is off to a great start in his first year in the CHL.”

Meet the first four players named to Team CHL

Brock England (C) — Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) A 5-foot-11, 175-pound centre from Red Deer, Alta., England led all 2009-born WHL skaters in both goals and points, recording 21 goals and 51 points in 64 games during his first full season. His 21 goals were the most by a 16-year-old Thunderbirds rookie since Patrick Marleau scored 32 in 1995–96. Internationally, England won gold at both the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he collected seven points in five games, and the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he recorded four goals and five points in five games—including two goals in Canada’s 8–1 gold-medal victory over the United States.

England is set to become the 27th Thunderbird to participate in either the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game or the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Seattle’s 26 previous representatives include Marleau, Thomas Hickey, Shea Theodore and Kevin Korchinski. Most recently, Braeden Cootes represented Seattle as a member of Team CHL at the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge in 2024.

Dima Zhilkin (LW) — Saginaw Spirit (OHL) A 5-foot-11, 195-pound left winger from Windsor, Ont., Zhilkin served as Saginaw’s 27th captain while setting career highs with 36 goals, 39 assists and 75 points in 59 games during a breakout 2025–26 season. He added three goals and an assist in four playoff 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 Windsor, highlighted by a two-goal, three-point performance against Finland.

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 currently represented in each of the first three editions of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge.

Alexis Joseph (C) — Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) A 6-foot-4, 210-pound centre from Lachenaie, Que., Joseph led all QMJHL 16-year-olds in scoring with 24 goals and 60 points in 54 games after Saint John selected him first overall in the 2025 QMJHL Draft. He finished second on the Sea Dogs in scoring and earned QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team honours. Internationally, Joseph captained Canada Red to gold at the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, leading the tournament with 13 points in five games and earning All-Star Team honours. After representing Canada at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, he recorded one goal and two assists in five games while helping his country capture gold at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Joseph was also one of the first six players recently selected by NHL Central Scouting for the QMJHL Prospects Game, presented by BFL Canada, on October 28 in Gatineau.

Joseph is set to become the 16th Sea Dog player to participate in either the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game or the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Saint John’s 15 previous representatives include Jonathan Huberdeau, Nathan Beaulieu and Thomas Chabot. Most recently, Eriks Mateiko represented the club at the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Carter Meyer (C) — Québec Remparts (QMJHL) A 6-foot-1, 178-pound centre from Winchester, Mass., Meyer was selected 17th overall by Québec in the 2025 QMJHL Draft and joined the Remparts for the 2026–27 season after spending the previous campaign with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. He recorded 15 goals and 37 points in 42 USHL games and represented the United States at the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, collecting 10 points in four games, and the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, adding five points in five contests. Meyer was also among NHL Central Scouting’s first six selections for the QMJHL Prospects Game, presented by BFL Canada, set for October 28 in Gatineau.

Meyer is set to become the 22nd Rempart player to participate in either the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game or the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Québec’s 21 previous representatives include Simon Gagné, Anthony Duclair and Nathan Gaucher. Most recently, Maddox Dagenais and Charlie Morrison represented the club at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge.

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris: A proven showcase for NHL Draft talent

Across the first two editions of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, 42 of the 44 Team CHL players were subsequently selected in the NHL Draft—21 from each roster. That group included 27 first-round selections: 16 from the inaugural 2024 event and another 11 from the 2025 edition.

“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. “This event is always highly competitive and entertaining in showcasing the speed, skills, and elite talent in the CHL and USA.”

The inaugural roster featured 2025 first-round selections Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters / OHL, first overall), Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL, fourth overall) and Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL, 15th overall). One year later, Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL, third overall), Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL, fourth overall) and Maddox Dagenais (Québec Remparts / QMJHL, 16th overall) were among the 2025 event participants chosen in the opening round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

That success reflects the CHL’s broader position as the leading supplier of talent to the NHL. A 17-year high of 197 CHL-developed players appeared on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings in 2026, while 106 were ultimately selected at the 2026 NHL Draft—the most of any development league and the CHL’s highest total since 2010. It marked the CHL’s first 100-pick draft since 2013 and its fourth-highest total of the seven-round era.

The remaining members of Team CHL’s roster for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris will be announced in October.

About the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is the world’s largest development hockey league, featuring 52 Canadian and nine American teams across 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) than any other league and supports student-athletes through significant investment in education and scholarship programs. Each year, nearly 1,000 CHL graduates receive support through WHL, OHL, and QMJHL scholarship programs, with CHL clubs investing nearly $10 million annually in player education and scholarship support. During the 2025-26 NHL season, more than 475 CHL alumni were among the 1,033-plus players to appear in at least one game. At the 2026 NHL Draft, 106 CHL-developed players were selected — the most of any development league worldwide and the CHL’s highest total since 2010 — including 16 first-round picks. For more information, please visit chl.ca.

About Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust

Primaris is Canada’s only enclosed shopping centre focused REIT, with ownership interests in leading enclosed shopping centres located in growing Canadian markets. The current portfolio totals 14.6 million square feet, valued at approximately $5.2 billion at Primaris’ share. Economies of scale are achieved through its fully internal, vertically integrated, full-service national management platform. Primaris is very well-capitalized and is exceptionally well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities at an extraordinary moment in the evolution of the Canadian retail property landscape.

It had been nearly a decade since he left his native Sapporo, Japan, to put down roots in Canada, but the city that raised him seemed almost exactly the same.

Sure, the name of the rink had changed, but other things seemed frozen in time — from the street where he grew up playing ball hockey to his school and the other haunts along the way.

To Keller, it wasn't just a homecoming.

It was a full-circle moment as he prepared to represent Japan on the international hockey stage and follow in his father's footsteps for a second time.

Decades earlier and a continent away, his dad started his sporting journey in one of Canada's hockey hotbeds, and for Aaron Keller, there was no better place to be a hockey player than in Kamloops in the early 1990s.

The hometown kid had spent the last decade watching the Blazers lay the foundation of their dynasty era and finally cracked the roster for the reigning WHL and Memorial Cup Champions in 1992.

Keller would leave his own stamp on the team by clinching back-to-back WHL titles and a pair of Memorial Cups in 1994 and 1995.

"We were almost built for the following season, where the majority of our team would have been 18,19, 20 instead of 17 and 18 type of thing," Keller said of his first championship. "It was a little surprising, just in that respect. But the coaches had us prepared... We found a way to improve to the point that we ultimately won everything, which was kind of crazy."

The 1994-95 Blazers, in particular, are considered one of the greatest teams in junior hockey history, with hockey greats like Jarome Iginla, Shane Doan, Darcy Tucker, and Brad Lukowich among their ranks.

Keller, a 6-foot-tall defenceman, finished fourth on the team in regular-season scoring with 80 points (18G-62A) in 71 games.

Post-junior, he put together a season split between the ECHL, IHL and AHL before opting for a different path.

Keller is of Japanese descent, and had several teams from the Japanese Ice Hockey League making their pitches to come East.

He saw it as a way to continue his hockey journey while honouring his roots.

Aaron's mom, Nancy, was born in an internment camp in British Columbia during the Second World War.

Their family was among the estimated 21,000 Japanese-Canadians living in British Columbia detained under the War Measures Act beginning in 1942.

"When I was growing up, I probably led a sheltered life, so I wasn't fully aware of all of this stuff," Keller explained. "But over the years, you hear more and more about your parents' background.

"She (Nancy) had a big family. I don't know how many of her brothers and sisters were born in the internment camp as well, but yeah, that was her generation and what she was born into locally here in B.C. So for me to get the opportunity to, I guess, explore a little bit of my heritage over on that side of the world, it was a pretty cool opportunity."

He ended up getting Japanese citizenship and lived there for nearly two decades, marking a tremendous stretch that saw him collect two Asia League titles, become a mainstay on Japan's national team, and regularly lead all defencemen in scoring in international tournaments.

This is the environment Jordan, born in 2005, grew up in.

The younger Keller admits hockey may not have been a cultural juggernaut in Japan, but he lived for attending his dad's games and watching NHL highlights on YouTube, though Japanese was his first language and English didn't necessarily come easily to him (he still speaks Japanese with his mom, Yoko, and sisters, Alyssa and Kiran).

Jordan didn't even know much about the Blazers until the family moved back to Kamloops when he was 12 years old, when Aaron accepted an assistant coaching position with Kamloops.

"When I came over, English wasn't really my favorite language," Jordan said. "I would say... I wasn't great at it. Took some time to get better with the speaking and reading and all that, but you know, the people around me in Kamloops and the support I got was amazing.

"I started hearing more and more about how they (the Blazers) won a few more cups and all that. Coach Don Hay, you would see him around the rink, and he'd tell me some funny stories and whatnot. That was definitely cool, and that's when I kind of started learning more and more about what hockey was like back then and what the Blazers were like."

Jordan, a 5-foot-11 forward, had proven he could hang in the league after being selected by the Saskatoon Blades in the third round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.

He played parts of three seasons for the Blades before fate brought him home.

Keller was included in a massive package in a blockbuster deal that sent Blazers star and current Boston Bruins forward Fraser Minten to Saskatoon — though his dad had no clue that General Manager Shaun Clouston had eyed Jordan as part of the return package.

Pulling on the same jersey that his father did so many years ago, Keller took off like a shot with 43 points (17G-26A) in 46 games for the rebuilding Blazers.

He'd play two more seasons in his hometown, earning the alternate captaincy for a year and logging another 120 points (58G-62A). He even earned one of the few overage spots available to close out his major junior career in blue and orange.

"Sean (Clouston) and Tim (O'Donovan), to bring me home... I could have gone anywhere in the league, and for them to bring me home to my hometown with my family, I just can't thank them enough," Jordan added. "Honestly, couldn't have worked out better. Loved my time in Saskatoon, but happy to finish off my WHL career in Kamloops."

"Extremely proud that he's here, and then the next thought that goes through my head is, 'Holy crap! There's going to be some pressure on him,'" Aaron recalled. "The fans were awesome. Really thankful for how they treated him. Proud to be part of this community, put it that way... At that time, 22 teams in the league, one chance out of 22. The odds aren't very good that he would ever end up being here.  It worked out unbelievably for our family."

That alone was a special father-son connection.

But then, Aaron received an email from a former teammate who was now upper management for Japan's national hockey team.

Would Jordan be interested in trying out?

That's how the teenager found himself back in the city he called home for the first 12 years of his life.

And so, Keller found himself back in Sapporo for a development camp with a handful of his childhood friends, and one year later, finally donned Japan's white, red and black jersey at the 2026 IIHF World Championship Division 1- Group A tournament in Poland.

The 21-year-old put up an assist in five games, but came away grateful for the experience — and hopes to return to the national team in the future.

A continent away, his family was watching closely — and this unique connection with his father isn't lost on him.

"Growing up, watching my dad do this same thing and going through the same process, it was surreal just kind of being in the same shoes as him," Jordan added. "It's always awesome to represent a country and play your favourite sport with it."

Now, as Aaron locks in on another WHL season as Kamloops' Director of Player Personnel and Jordan prepares to debut for Western Michigan University, the pair find themselves as part of the same group once again as Blazers alumni.

"I can't believe it's over now," Jordan said, shaking his head. "Looking back at it, I had a blast. It was a pretty cool experience. Just experiencing the whole lifestyle and the league in general, it's a special league. You learn so much as a player and as a person, and you meet so many new people and coaches.

"It was a special time, and (I'm) definitely going to miss it."

ECHO has established direct partnerships with each of the Canadian Hockey League’s Member Leagues – the WHL, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Each agreement will feature league-specific campaigns and activations designed to connect ECHO with hockey fans and communities throughout the 2026-27 season.

“Partnering with the WHL represents an exciting step forward for ECHO in Canada,” said Amy Carter, National Marketing Manager, ECHO Power Equipment Canada. “The WHL, OHL, and QMJHL are deeply rooted in the communities they represent, and those same communities are at the heart of our dealer network and brand. We look forward to engaging fans throughout the season and introducing even more Canadians to ECHO.”

“The WHL is pleased to welcome ECHO Power Equipment Canada,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “ECHO’s commitment to connect with WHL fans with prizing and contesting will create memorable touchpoints between their Brand and the WHL. We look forward to launching this exciting partnership and celebrating the role both Brands play in communities across Western Canada.”

ECHO Hat Trick Giveaway to Celebrate WHL Fans

To celebrate its partnership with the WHL, ECHO will introduce the ECHO Hat Trick Giveaway. As part of the promotion, WHL fans will have the opportunity to win one of three major prize packages being awarded across the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL.

One winner from the WHL contest will receive an ECHO outdoor power equipment prize package valued at approximately $1,690 CAD at MSRP. The package will include an ECHO battery self-propelled lawn mower with two 5.0 Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger; an ECHO DPB-2500 handheld blower; a DSRM-2100 trimmer combo kit with a 2.5 Ah battery and charger; ECHO anti-vibration landscaping gloves; ECHO safety glasses; an ECHO hoodie; and a 30 oz. RTIC tumbler.

The WHL contest begins Monday, September 21, with complete prize details, eligibility requirements, official rules and entry instructions available at https://chl.ca/whl/contests/.

The giveaway will be one of several initiatives supporting ECHO’s partnership with the WHL. ECHO will also receive prominent exposure across the League’s digital platforms and marketing channels, with the partnership supported by seasonal advertising, digital content, fan engagement initiatives, and promotional activations.

About the ECHO Power Equipment Canada

For more than 50 years, ECHO has been a trusted name in professional-grade outdoor power equipment. ECHO offers a comprehensive range of gas- and battery-powered products, including chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, and other equipment for professional users and homeowners. ECHO products are available throughout Canada through a nationwide network of independent authorized dealers committed to providing expert product knowledge, professional service and ongoing support. To learn more about ECHO and find an authorized dealer, visit echo.ca.

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 60 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

Saturday, September 19

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