The Canadian Hockey League has selected 22 players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft to represent Canada in the second annual CHL/USA Prospects Challenge. The two-game series against USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 Team will take place on November 25 in Calgary and November 26 in Lethbridge.
Caleb Malhotra, a forward for the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League and son of former NHL center Manny Malhotra, headlines the roster. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound left-shot center has recorded 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 13 games as a rookie this season. Originally selected No. 8 by Kingston in the 2024 OHL priority selection, Malhotra was acquired by Brantford on September 12, 2024. He tallied 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 44 games with Chilliwack of the British Columbia Hockey League last season and is committed to Boston University for 2026-27.
"Caleb just popped right out of the gate," said NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr. "He continues to put on an impressive showing for a first-year player. Even after Jake O'Brien and Marek Vanacker came back from NHL camps, he still has gotten his spot in the lineup and his place on the power play. That's pretty telling for a 17-year-old to maintain that position."
Other players with an A rating on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list include forwards Ethan Belchetz (Windsor, OHL), who has 19 points (12 goals, seven assists) in 15 games; Mathis Preston (Spokane, WHL); Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara, OHL); Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia, OHL); Adam Novotny (Peterborough, OHL); Egor Shilov (Victoriaville, QMJHL); and JP Hurlbert (Kamloops, WHL). Defensemen with A ratings are Carson Carels (Prince George, WHL); Ryan Lin (Vancouver, WHL), who leads WHL defensemen with 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) in 15 games; Chase Reid (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL); Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert, WHL); and Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL), who leads QMJHL defensemen with 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in 14 games.
The roster features two goaltenders: Harrison Boettiger of Kelowna (WHL) and Zachary Jovanovski of Guelph (OHL). Boettiger, a B-rated prospect, played for the NTDP last season and will represent the CHL this year.
"NHL scouts are looking forward to the 2026 CHL USA prospect games after the success of last year's inaugural event," Marr said. "The games will again assemble over 40 highly ranked draft eligible prospects who will give their all in two naturally competitive games which will benefit the scouts and players and entertain fans leading up to the 2026 Draft."
The full Canada roster includes:
Goalies: Harrison Boettiger (Kelowna, WHL); Zachary Jovanovski (Guelph, OHL)
Defensemen: Carson Carels (Prince George, WHL); Ryan Lin (Vancouver, WHL); Charlie Morrison (Quebec, QMJHL); Giorgos Pantelas (Brandon, WHL); Chase Reid (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL); Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert, WHL); Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)
Forwards: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor, OHL); Maddox Dagenais (Quebec, QMJHL); Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia, OHL); Beckham Edwards (Sarnia, OHL); Chase Harrington (Spokane, WHL); JP Hurlbert (Kamloops, WHL); Nikita Klepov (Saginaw, OHL); Caleb Malhotra (Brantford, OHL); Adam Novotny (Peterborough, OHL); Mathis Preston (Spokane, WHL); Brooks Rogowski (Oshawa, OHL); Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara, OHL); Egor Shilov (Victoriaville, QMJHL)