Scout’s Analysis: Observations from CHL-USA Top Prospects Challenge

The second annual CHL-USNTDP Top Prospects Challenge was played in Calgary and Lethbridge on Tuesday and Wednesday. Team USA skated away with the series victory after defeating team CHL in an overtime session after the teams had each won a regulation time game: Team USA 4-2 in Game 1, and Team CHL 4-3 in Game 2. 

The event provides an opportunity for my colleague Sam Cosentino and I to meet with some of the top players for the 2026 NHL Draft and view them in game action representing the CHL and the U.S. National Team Development Program.  

Ahead of my first draft rankings that will be released Monday, here are some of my notes on players who stood out:

Brady Knowling, 6-foot-5, 202 pounds, left-catching goaltender, USNTDP

Knowling was outstanding for the American team in the first game of the series in Calgary. He used his massive frame to his advantage, making saves from all areas of the ice. Knowling squared up to absorb shots from distance, moved side-to-side on time, and competed to make the occasional desperation stop when the play got hectic around his crease. 

Knowling is a B-rated prospect who is projected to be selected in the top three rounds of the draft. He’s property of the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL and a 2027 Boston University commit. 

Wyatt Cullen, 5-foot-11, 174 pounds, left-shooting forward, USNTDP

Before sustaining an injury in the second game of the series, Cullen was one of the most noticeable forwards from both teams. 

Cullen is a creative playmaker with the puck on his stick. He’s difficult to defend — he’s deceptive — with fantastic vision. Cullen has the ability to draw attention and dish pucks to open linemates in high-danger areas. He works to win pucks with his quickness and stick-on-puck approach. He’s a better-than-average threat off the rush but it’s his small-area escapes and agility that stand out. Overall, Cullen leans distributor more than shooter. The bulk of his ice time is likely to come at even strength and the power play but he has the hockey sense to kill penalties if required.

Cullen came into the series as a C-rated prospect who was projected to be selected in the late stages of the draft. Depending on his injury status, and based on his play in these two games, he’s generated momentum as a player on the rise. 

Cullen is one of the youngest players in the draft class (Sept. 8 birthdate) and a University of Minnesota commit (2027).

Luke Schairer, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, right-shooting defenceman, USNTDP

Schairer was deployed in all situations for the American team. He was fully engaged in all three zones, efficient moving pucks, and used his size and strength to kill plays defensively. 

Schairer doesn’t move the needle a great deal offensively. He makes simple and responsible plays. I don’t envision him slotting into a power-play role as his career evolves. He’s a two-way defenceman who has the pace and hockey sense to match up against top-six forward groups. He will eat up minutes at even strength and the penalty kill. 

Schairer is a B-rated prospect whose OHL rights are owned by the Peterborough Petes. He, too, is a Boston University commit (2026).

Carson Carels, 6-foot-1, 202 pounds, left-shooting defenceman, Prince George Cougars, WHL

Team CHL struggled to produce enough consistency in these games but Carels stood out as its most reliable overall defender. 

Carels is a two-way D-prospect who can be trusted in all situations. He battles in the trenches to win pucks and pushes back, physically, with enthusiasm. He’s a solid skater who tracks up and down the ice on time, and isn’t shy about joining offensively as an extra layer. Carels is a complete player. He’s not outstanding in any one category but very strong in all of them and has top-pairing upside.

The Carels family is a group of cattle farmers from Cypress River, Man. Carson is an A-rated prospect who will be selected in the top 10 of the draft. He was impressive in his interview with Cosentino and his maturity carried over into both games. 

Caleb Malhotra, 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, left-shooting centre, Brantford Bulldogs, OHL 

Malhotra captained Team CHL and did his best to lead by example in both games. 

Malhotra is one of the most intriguing prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft and on the rise. He is, arguably, the most trustworthy centreman in the draft class. Malhotra has the skill to create off the rush and make plays on the power play. He also can match up against top lines in a shutdown role if required. His combination of speed, hockey IQ, compete and skill project Malhotra as a potential top-line NHL forward. His approach to the game is similar to Nick Suzuki’s with the Montreal Canadiens.

Malhotra is an A-rated prospect who will be selected in the top 10 of the draft. He’s also a Boston University commit (2026).

Xavier Villeneuve, 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, left-shooting defenceman, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL

It was impossible not to notice Villeneuve in both games. He played to his identity as an active transitional defenceman who seemed to have the puck on his stick every shift.

Villeneuve is the most energetic offensive defenceman in the 2026 draft class. He craves having the puck on his stick and making plays in the offensive zone. He quarterbacks the power play and has become more of a shooting threat, in addition to his elite vision and playmaking. Villeneuve competes to the best of his ability every shift. There’s some risk/reward with this approach but he works to win pucks back defensively and, despite his stature, engages physically. 

Villeneuve is an A-rated prospect who is likely to be selected in the top 15 of the draft. 

Maddox Dagenais, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds, left-shooting forward, Quebec Remparts, QMJHL

Dagenais, like Malhotra, stood out for all the right reasons. He, too, is a prospect on the rise in my rankings. 

Dagenais provides an intriguing combination of power, skill and high-end compete. He tracks down opponents off the puck with proper routes to take away time and space and create turnovers. He plays a heavy style along the boards and never shies away from contact. Offensively, he leans shooter but also has a creative side to his game. His hockey sense provides coaches with the option to deploy him in a variety of roles. 

Dagenais came into the series as a B-rated prospect but he’s leaving as an A-rated (potential first-round selection) for me.