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Rachel Doerrie, ESPN
The inaugural CHL-USA Prospects Challenge wrapped up after games on Tuesday and Wednesday in London and Oshawa, Ontario. The CHL team took both games, and the run of play was not close. After taking the first game 6-1, the CHL required a late goal from Cole Reschny in Game 2 to win 3-2. However, USA goaltender Harrison Boettiger was the only reason the game was not 6-1 or 7-1. The 2026 draft eligible was outstanding, and kept the USA in it.
Over the course of two games, quite a few players stood out — particularly for Team CHL. In what is considered a down year for the program, where they lack the true elite players of years past that included numerous top 10 picks, the CHL iced three players that are likely to be taken in the top 5 of the 2025 NHL draft. In their first chance head-to-head matchup after the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, many players expected to be taken early were impressive.
Here’s what stood out the most from the two games, and what it means for the remainder of the draft season:
Matthew Schaefer was the talk of the event, with some chatter about him moving up to be the first overall selection. The left-handed defenseman was far and away the best player in Game 1 of the challenge, dazzling with end-to-end rushes, blocking shots while missing his equipment, and dictating the pace of play from the back end. In an event that was star-studded, he rose to the occasion and cemented his status as the draft’s best defenseman.
A few scouts opined that if he were right-handed, he’d likely be the clubhouse leader for the top pick in June. As it is, he’s making a legitimate case to be in the discussion.
He showed excellent skating ability, with changes of pace to beat defenders on offense and match the USA’s best offensive players in defensive transition. When he wasn’t raising eyebrows with his rushing ability, his first pass was accurate and on time. He made sound puck decisions and consistently thwarted the USA’s top players.
The CHL’s top line of Porter Martone, Michael Misa and Caleb Desnoyers was nothing short of outstanding over the two-game stretch. They dominated play for long stretches, with all three looking the part of being top-10 draft picks. Martone and Misa dictated pace of play, were excellent in transition and dangerous every time they were on the ice. Both created a litany of scoring chances with their individual puck skill and their ability to read the play and cause turnovers.
Desnoyers was the best player for the CHL in Game 2, and the perfect complement to Misa and Martone. He demonstrated an ability to play without the puck, read off his linemates and arrive at the right place at the right time to make plays happen. He showed a versatile game, with quick-strike ability and speed in transition, while also forechecking, recovering pucks and creating chances off the cycle. In what is likely the first time that many GMs have seen him play (they don’t usually scout in November), Desnoyers did himself a lot of favors with his skill, sense and competitiveness in every area of the ice.
Kashawn Aitcheson raised eyebrows in a positive way over both games with a pronounced physical presence, willingness to mix it up and a bomb from the point that took more than five minutes to confirm as a goal. He stood out as the CHL’s best defensive defenseman this week, and will get a long look in the top 20 of this year’s draft.
He’s at his best when he’s shutting the opponent’s best players down and physically punishing them. Both of those attributes were on full display over the two games, with the scouts loving the toughness and grit to his game.
On the USA side, when you only score three goals in two games, you leave scouts wanting more. Jack Murtagh scored two of the three goals and caused the turnover that led to Cole McKinney‘s goal. He was clearly the most dangerous American forward and created most of their scoring opportunities.
Murtagh didn’t generate a ton of shots, but many of his scoring chances fell apart in the most dangerous areas. He was the only American that showed a consistent ability to get to those areas and create opportunities. It was not a standout performance, but one that he can certainly build off as he makes his case to be a first-round pick.
Boettiger was outstanding in goal for the USA in Game 2, and was the only reason the game script didn’t follow in the footsteps of Tuesday’s 6-1 drubbing. After surrendering a goal in the first 30 seconds, Boettiger settled in very nicely and made very timely saves on Grade-A scoring opportunities to keep his team within striking distance. His ability to quickly compose himself and bounce back is a rare trait for young goaltenders.
He turned away wave after wave of CHL attack, until he was finally beaten with less than five minutes left in the third period on a brilliant shot from Reschny. The USA looked scrambly and lacked structure in the defensive zone, and Boettiger masked a lot of mistakes in front of him with his consistent play. After that performance, he’ll be on quite a few radars heading into next year’s draft.
Overall, this was a dominant showing from Team CHL and shows the caliber of team they could send to the under-18 World Championships if every player was available for selection. Schaefer, Martone and Misa cemented themselves as top-5 picks in this draft, with a few others raising their stock.
It is only two games, but those two games matter when NHL GMs are in the stands. You can guarantee that when lists are being made in June, a GM will say, “Player X was outstanding when I saw him play in those games,” or “Player Y wasn’t great against the top dogs, we need to unpack that a little more.” No one should base their lists off one or two performances, but GM’s do not see these players a ton, so when they do, a standout performance goes a long way.