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By Haven Thibert

Nov. 26, 2025 in Lethbridge

Lethbridge to host game two of CHL USA Prospects Challenge

Oct 30, 2025 | 4:27 PM

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) has announced the full roster for Team CHL ahead of the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge.

The event will feature the top 2026 NHL Draft-eligible players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) facing off against the U.S. National Under-18 Team in a two-game series hosted by the Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Game 2 of the series is set to take place in Lethbridge on Nov. 26 at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena, home of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, following Game 1 in Calgary on Nov. 25 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The roster includes 22 of the CHL’s top prospects, including 15 players who received an “A” rating from NHL Central Scouting, identifying them as projected first-round picks for the 2026 NHL Draft.Among the players to watch:

• JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers) – leads the CHL with 28 points in 14 games.
• Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires) – tops the OHL with 12 goals.
• Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants) – a top-rated defenceman among 2026 draft-eligible players.
• Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) – one of the CHL’s top-scoring blueliners.
• Harrison Boettiger (Kelowna Rockets) and Zachary Jovanovski (Guelph Storm) – will share goaltending duties for Team CHL.

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Lethbridge’s own Marty Palechuk, athletic therapist for the Hurricanes, and equipment manager Rhett White will also serve on Team CHL’s support staff for the local game.

“The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is a tremendous opportunity for our top draft-eligible players to compete against elite competition from the U.S. National Under-18 Team while showcasing the strength of our player development system across the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL, in a press release.“We’re proud of each of these players for earning this opportunity and congratulate them on being selected to represent the CHL at this prestigious event, which shines a light on the next generation of NHL talent.”

“The Team CHL coaching staff is thrilled to have such a deep, talented roster for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge,” added Willie Desjardins, Head Coach of Team CHL and General Manager and Head Coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers.“We look forward to coaching the best of the best players from across the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.”

Team CHL will be led by Desjardins, with assistant coaches Jay McKee (Brantford Bulldogs), Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs) and Mike Johnston (Portland Winterhawks).

The event marks the second edition of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, following a successful debut in 2024 that saw 16 of 22 Team CHL players selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.A full roster and player information are available at chl.ca/prospectschallenge.