Top performances at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge
CALGARY & LETHBRIDGE, Alberta – The second CHL USA Prospects Challenge is in the books.
This one featured some major storylines: J.P. Hurlbert versus his old teammates, Harrison Boettiger becoming the only player to appear twice at the event, the first-ever “super overtime,” and, of course, the USNTDP’s first victories at this event.
To do it, the NTDP survived an onslaught on shots each game, getting outshot 85-56 over the series. While they might’ve lacked the star power or size, on paper, they certainly didn’t lack the pace, physicality, or details. They won battles, created tons of mistakes, and won the inside battle.
On the other side, Team CHL generated a lot of offence, even if they were disjointed at times. Their stars lived up to their billing, and some even exceeded it. Look no further than Xavier Villeneuve, decidedly the star of the series.
That’s where our list of standouts begins.
Xavier Villeneuve, LD, Team CHL
The best player in the series, Xavier Villeneuve may have just successfully quashed any remaining doubt about his status as a top-end talent in the draft class. Just about every shift, Villeneuve made something happen with his dynamic edges, handling skill, and creativity. He led the rush constantly, and he did it with minimal turnovers. None of that was surprising, but he combined with a more NHL-style approach, finding plays as they opened instead of hunting for the perfect play.
Villeneuve was also the heart of Team CHL. When the NTDP pulled away in game two, it was his energy and willingness to play physically that led them back. He threw a hard pick to create the tying goal, one of several impressive physical games, and then scored for the game-winner at the top of the crease of the power play. There were some sloppy moments, but he battled back into the game every time. He proved that not only does he have what it takes to be a top-pair offensive defenceman, but that he should be in the mix for a top-five pick.
Wyatt Cullen, LW, Team USNTDP
On the morning of the first game, we released our second draft ranking of the year, which featured Wyatt Cullen at No. 44. Though we only had a five-game sample because he missed the start of the season, we’re already wishing we placed him higher. The pacey, skilled winger deked his way to the middle, created shooting lanes, weaved through traffic, and deceived opponents with shocking ease here. Though he’s not the smoothest mover, his quick feet, changes of pace, and ability to handle at speed will keep his pace as advantage at higher levels. His power play goal was one of the best at the event, where he built downhill speed, caught the puck, and quickly pulled it in to fire around the defender into the top corner. In a draft lacking some offensive punch, he could be a big riser down the stretch.
Carson Carels, LD, Team CHL
Whenever Carson Carels stepped on the ice, the game tilted in Team CHL’s favour. A brick wall defensively, he denied zone entries in just about every way, even against the opposition’s best efforts. He crushed opponents in battles along the walls, won retrieval races and then found clean escapes, and absorbed a ton of contact to make plays. Offensively, he was highly involved, whether it was setting up three chances in the first game with his vision from the point or activating into space in the second game. Though he had some misses on the breakout, he looked the part of a top-10 pick and a potential top-pair defenceman.
Victor Plante, LW, Team USNTDP
The series hero, Victor Plante put on a clinic of energy, forechecking details, and pace through this whole event. While outmuscled a fair bit, he was never out of a battle. He pushed back breakouts, slowed down attacks through the neutral zone, and capitalized on his chances. After scoring a clever goal cutting across the slot in the second game, he won the series in 3-on-3. There, he managed to hold the puck in the zone from his stomach, then he rolled off the wall, faked, and beat the goalie low glove side shooting around the defender. Plante’s best skill – playmaking – wasn’t on display here, and he was still one of the most noticeable players throughout.
Caleb Malhotra, C, Team CHL
Captain Caleb Malhotra was one of the top players in both games, particularly inside the offensive zone. Composed under fire, Malhotra spotted defenders overcommitting and instantly cut inside against their momentum before finding a teammate. He showed handling skill, even off the backhand, and he hid his passing intentions when given some space to deceive. For the most part, he had a strong series on the penalty kill, highlighted by a shorthanded goal, and showcased his physical game through, whether he was landing reverse hits or winning down low battles.
Adam Novotný, LW, Team CHL
The most consistent of Team CHL’s many impressive forwards, Adam Novotný was a constant threat. He was a nuisance on the backcheck and a menace on the forecheck, stealing pucks constantly, moving his feet, and getting the play off the wall. He powered through contact with ease, slipped pucks inside, and made himself a scoring threat off-puck. He consistently created offence off the forecheck, cycle, and rush, making him arguably the most well-rounded threat on the ice. With his speed, pace, and details, he continues to showcase NHL potential as a second-line, do-it-all forward.
Parker Trottier, LW, Team USNTDP
Though held pointless, the energetic Parker Trottier was noticeable throughout, especially in the second game. He opened with a pair of big-time hits on the forecheck, and then was a constant nuisance on the backcheck. He created chaos around the net, made quick, efficient plays on breakouts, and flashed some pace and give-and-go ability through the neutral zone. While he might not be a dynamic player, his ability to win battles, engage physically, and distribute in transition shone. He could be a breakout player for the NTDP down the stretch.
Jamie Glance, RW, Team USNTDP
Jamie Glance isn’t just second on the NTDP in points, he’s also been one of their most effective two-way forwards this season. Defending the one-goal lead in game one, Glance stayed poised, didn’t fall for fakes, blocked a shot, and then stayed positionally sound and guarded the top exceptionally well – all before he iced the game with the empty-netter. He was a key part of the NTDP’s power play, including a snipe walking across the top of the circle, and flashed some dynamic skills off the rush at times. The 2027 Draft is far away, but he's a player to watch.
Maddox Dagenais, RW, Team CHL
Maddox Dagenais came to play. He was one of Team CHL’s most effective players in both games, combining physicality with skill. He helped create the tying goal in the second game with a cross-ice pass, and then was out there protecting the lead, winning a big battle along the wall before clearing the zone. He showcased handling skill at speed to dangle through the opposition at least twice, too. While his details will have to improve, this intense version of Dagenais could enter the first round with his plethora of tools.
Lincoln Kuehne, RD, Team USNTDP
A surprise late addition after injury, Lincoln Kuehne left Arizona State for a few days to return to his old team. Given that he was the only 2007-born player on the NTDP’s roster, it’s no surprise that he looked a step ahead when it came to the battles. Especially in the first game, he was a menace along the walls, emphatically winning battles, making clean plays off retrievals under pressure, and initiating contact pre-touch to create more space. While his puck-moving took a hit in the second game, he proved to be one of the top shutdown defencemen on the ice. Hopefully, he’s able to maintain this level of play against college competition down the stretch.
Chase Reid, RD, Team CHL
Chase Reid will get criticized for some memorable gaffes, but his highs were equal to Villeneuve’s, and they weren’t exactly few. He showcased high-end ability at both ends of the rink, whether he was escaping pressure at the point before setting up a chance or denying tricky rushes. One sequence, he thwarted a 1-on-1, freed the puck, then went coast-to-coast for chance. His puck management got better as the event progressed and his confidence remained high. While it wasn’t Reid at the peak of his ability, he looked like a lock to be an NHLer and a high pick.
Luke Schairer, RD, Team USNTDP
Though there weren’t any highlight reel plays from Luke Schairer, his play was steady throughout. After some initial issues with Team CHL’s pace, he settled in, finding teammates with incisive cross-ice passes to create advantages with minimal turnovers. Defensively, easily handled the straight-line rushes and limited damage against the more complex ones. He was strong along the walls, too. Though he didn’t show the activation skills as much as normal, he managed the puck well. He continues to look like an NHLer.
Ryan Lin, RD, Team CHL
Team CHL’s best shutdown defenceman, Ryan Lin put on a details clinic away from the puck. He landed pokechecks inside movement, angled rushes to the perimeter, won the leverage battle along the wall, and absorbed contact to find quick escapes off retrievals. There’s a steadiness to his game that no one else had here; he diffused problems with his proactive approach. Activating frequently, he made himself a scoring threat and helped Team CHL control the offensive zone. Though his breakout game was just simple, straightforward plays, he had some issues with turnovers at times, not unlike the rest of his team. He may not be a dynamic offensive player, but his details, defensive range, and base of tools continue to shine.
Liam Ruck, RW, Team CHL
With Brooks Rogowski injured, Liam Ruck stepped in and more than delivered. Shot out of a cannon every shift, he entered battles with speed, forced turnovers, and protected pucks well. He racked up the retrievals in the second game, and was a key part of the penalty kill and Team CHL’s defensive game. Though he didn’t flash his offensive skills as much here, he spotted quick short-range plays under pressure, fired pucks off the catch with power, and extended the cycle. A tidy bit of work.
Brady Knowling & Luke Carrithers, G, Team USNTDP
Brady Knowling has captivated evaluators for years with his flexibility and quickness at 6-foot-5, but the results haven’t always been there. That was different here, as Knowling stopped 42 of 44, including nearly a full goal above expected at 5-on-5 alone. He looked nearly unbeatable down low and glove side in his best sequences.
Not to be outdone, Luke Carrithers stopped 33 of 37, as well as all four in the series-deciding overtime. At 5-on-5, he stopped a ridiculous two goals above expected. With the NTDP on their heels, he made several big stops, including a sequence where he dove in front of a rebound try, collected himself, and stopped two more looks. Just like Knowling, he needed a big performance here, having an .862 save percentage on the season, and he delivered.
