Canadian Hockey League News: Ten OHL Players to Represent Canadian Hockey League at CHL USA Prospects Challenge

Ten Players from the OHL to Represent the Canadian Hockey League at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is excited to reveal the roster for Team CHL in anticipation of the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, presented by Kubota Canada. This newly introduced event will showcase top first-year prospects eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft from the CHL’s member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Western Hockey League (WHL), and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). These promising players will compete against USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 Team in a two-game series, with the first game on November 26 in London, Ontario, and the second on November 27 in Oshawa, Ontario.

The 22 athletes selected for Team CHL were identified from a comprehensive list of 2025 NHL Draft prospects, compiled through surveys conducted with all 32 NHL teams. The coaching staff, which includes head coach Kris Mallette from the Kelowna Rockets, assistant coaches Gordie Dwyer from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and Ryan Oulahen from the North Bay Battalion, along with general manager Dave Brown from the Erie Otters, collaboratively chose the final roster of 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders.

Key forwards on Team CHL include Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit, Porter Martone from the Brampton Steelheads, Cole Reschny of the Victoria Royals, Cameron Schmidt from the Vancouver Giants, Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats, and Justin Carbonneau from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Misa currently leads the CHL with 14 goals in 10 games, boasting a 10-game point streak. Martone follows closely with 10 goals in 9 games, ranking second in the OHL. Reschny has contributed with 2 goals and 11 assists across 9 games in the WHL, while Schmidt leads the WHL in scoring with 12 goals and 19 points. Desnoyers and Carbonneau have both averaged over 1.4 points per game, indicating strong starts in the QMJHL.

On the defensive side, Team CHL features five players who played pivotal roles in Canada’s gold medal win at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters), Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans), Reese Hamilton (Calgary Hitmen), Quinn Beauchesne (Guelph Storm), and Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers). Blake Fiddler, representing the Edmonton Oil Kings and the only American on Team CHL, served as captain for Team USA at the same tournament. Additionally, Kashawn Aitcheson from the Barrie Colts was part of Team Canada’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship.

In goal, Team CHL will rely on Jack Ivankovic from the Brampton Steelheads and Joshua Ravensbergen from the Prince George Cougars. Ivankovic leads all OHL goaltenders with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage. Ravensbergen, with six wins in 10 starts, is a reliable presence in the WHL, boasting a solid record as well.

Nineteen CHL teams will be represented at the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, with the Erie Otters, Calgary Hitmen, and Brampton Steelheads each contributing two players. Notably, 18 of the 22 players on Team CHL have previously earned gold medals on the international stage, including 13 who were instrumental in Canada’s victory at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

This event builds on the storied rivalry between Canada and the United States, allowing players from the CHL and the NTDP’s U18 team to compete before numerous NHL scouts and enthusiastic fans, all looking to enhance their draft prospects for the upcoming NHL Draft.

The first match will occur on November 26 at Canada Life Place in London, while the second game will take place on November 27 at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa. Tickets for both games can be purchased at the box office or online.

TEAM CHL ROSTER FOR 2024 CHL USA PROSPECTS CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY KUBOTA CANADA

Forwards (13)

• Carter Bear, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
• Justin Carbonneau, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
• Braeden Cootes, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
• Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
• Benjamin Kindel, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
• Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
• Brady Martin, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
• Porter Martone, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
• Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
• Jake O’Brien, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
• Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals (WHL)
• Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
• Malcolm Spence, Erie Otters (OHL) (F) Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings / WHL) is unable to participate due to a long-term injury.

Defenders (7)

• Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie Colts (OHL)
• Quinn Beauchesne, Guelph Storm (OHL)
• Blake Fiddler, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
• Reese Hamilton, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
• Cameron Reid, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
• Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters (OHL)
• Jackson Smith, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Goaltenders (2)

• Jack Ivankovic, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
• Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Coaching & Support Staff

• General Manager – Dave Brown (Erie Otters / OHL)
• Head Coach – Kris Mallette (Kelowna Rockets / WHL)
• Assistant Coach – Gordie Dwyer (Acadie-Bathurst Titan / QMJHL)
• Assistant Coach – Ryan Oulahen (North Bay Battalion / OHL)
• Equipment Manager (Game 1) – Chris Maton (London Knights / OHL)
• Equipment Manager (Game 2) – Bryan Boyes (Oshawa Generals / OHL)
• Athletic Therapist (Game 1) – Luca Paron (London Knights / OHL)
• Athletic Therapist (Game 2) – Shawn Winters (Oshawa Generals / OHL)