The U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team won both games of the second annual CHL USA Prospects Challenge against Team CHL in Alberta. Victor Plante scored the overtime winner in Game 2 to secure the series victory. Caleb Malhotra stood out as Team CHL's captain and top performer.
The second annual CHL USA Prospects Challenge took place over two days in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta, featuring top prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Team CHL faced the U.S. NTDP in a pair of games at Scotiabank Saddledome and VisitLethbridge.com Arena, drawing a league's worth of NHL scouts.
In Game 1, the NTDP earned their first win of the event, with goaltender Brady Knowling making 42 saves and earning player of the game honors while protecting a 3-2 lead late in the third period. Game 2 was tight, with Team CHL tying the score at 4-3 on a late power-play goal by Xavier Villeneuve, but Victor Plante scored in 3-on-3 overtime to give the NTDP the series sweep.
Several big names on Team CHL disappointed, including Gavin McKenna, who failed to impress critics, and Ethan Belchetz, who was moved off the top line after two periods in Game 1. Defensemen Chase Reid, Daxon Rudolph, and Villeneuve had mixed showings, with turnovers and scrambles noted. However, captain Caleb Malhotra was Canada's best player, particularly in Game 2, displaying poise and skill alongside linemates Adam Novotny and Mathis Preston. "He's a complete player who plays both ways on the puck," said Brantford coach Jay McKee.
For the NTDP, Wyatt Cullen emerged as a standout after returning from injury, looking like their top 2026 prospect before exiting Game 2 with an injury. Michael Berchild and Luke Schairer also contributed positively. Malhotra, a projected first-round pick committed to Boston University, has 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 23 OHL games with Brantford this season. "I think I've started the season just how I wanted to start," Malhotra said.