USA defeats CHL 4–2 in Calgary to open 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge

CALGARY —The United States National Team Development Program Under-18 squad opened the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge with a 4–2 win over Team CHL on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The game featured elite pace, heavy pressure, and standout performances from several players expected to headline the 2026 NHL Draft class.

USA struck first at 7:29 of the opening period when Dayne Beuker finished in tight off a feed from Michael Berchild. The Americans extended their lead early in the second frame as Sammy Nelson was credited with a goal following a net-front scramble after CHL goaltender Harrison Boettiger turned aside Luke Schairer’s initial chance.

Team CHL finally broke through on its 25th shot of the night. At 13:53 of the second period, forward Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds buried a one-timer off a clear setup from captain Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs and winger Mathis Preston of the Spokane Chiefs, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

USA restored its two-goal advantage just over six minutes into the third. Wyatt Cullen converted on the power play at 6:46, using a screen from Logan Stuart and beating Boettiger with a wrist shot from the high slot. The goal gave the Americans much-needed breathing room in a game where the CHL had significantly out-shot them.

Preston, who led all CHL skaters with two points on the night, drew his team back within one. The Chiefs forward wired a wrister from the top of the right circle with 6:43 remaining in regulation, capitalizing on a late push by the CHL group. However, an empty-net marker from Jamie Glance sealed the result and delivered the NTDP’s first-ever victory at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge.

Boettiger made 23 saves for Team CHL, while USA goaltender Brady Knowling turned aside 42 shots in a standout performance that drew praise from both benches.

Team CHL captain Caleb Malhotra said the group expected more of itself. “We were too casual going in. Nobody in there put their best foot forward and we know that, so we’re going to come back better tomorrow,” he said post-game.

Head coach Willie Desjardins echoed the sentiment, noting the NTDP’s strong start. “I think they were more ready at the start. They had a lot to prove from last year. They’ve got really good speed on that team. We didn’t give them much in the second and third, but it was too late by then.”

Game 2 of the two-game series will be played Wednesday night in Lethbridge. If the NTDP wins, they will clinch the event. A CHL victory would send the series to a deciding “third game,” a continuous three-on-three Super OT played after an ice flood until a goal is scored.

Fans in Canada can watch the game live on TSN and RDS at 6 p.m. MT. In the United States, the broadcast will air live on NHL Network, with Victory+ carrying the international stream. A limited number of tickets for the Lethbridge game remain available.

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge, introduced in 2024, showcases elite NHL Draft-eligible players from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL against the top talent from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. Fifteen CHL players in this year’s event carry “A” ratings on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List, including Carson Carels, Ethan Belchetz, and Egor Shilov.

Canada Tops Finland 5–3 in Hlinka-Gretzky Cup Opener

BRNO, Czechia – Team Canada’s Under-18 squad began their 2025 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup campaign with a 5–3 victory over Finland in a tightly contested opening game at the Winning Group Arena.

Beckham Edwards (Komoka, ON) opened the scoring just 58 seconds into the first period, assisted by Mathis Preston (Penticton, BC) and Ryan Lin (Richmond, BC). Captain Keaton Verhoeff (Fort Saskatchewan, AB) doubled Canada’s lead midway through the period with help from Ethan Belchetz (Oakville, ON) and Tynan Lawrence (Fredericton, NB).

Finland responded with two late goals from Oscar Hemming and Jiko Laitinen to level the score at 2–2 by the first intermission.

With the second period winding down, Ryan Lin broke the deadlock, scoring with just eight seconds remaining off a feed from Adam Valentini (Toronto, ON) and Belchetz. Early in the third period, Dimian Zhilkin (Windsor, ON) extended Canada’s lead to 4–2, assisted by Verhoeff and Belchetz. Finland’s Vilho Vanhatalo pulled the score back to 4–3, but Belchetz secured the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Goaltender Gavin Betts (Toronto, ON) stopped 23 of 26 shots to earn the win.

Day 1 Tournament Results:

• Czechia 6–2 Switzerland

• Sweden 10–0 Germany

• United States 6–3 Slovakia

Next Game:
Canada will face Switzerland on Tuesday, August 12, at 9:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. MT in Brno.

The Hlinka-Gretzky Cup has long been a proving ground for future NHL stars, with alumni including Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor Bedard. This year’s roster features promising talent aiming to make their mark on the international stage.

Provectus Media will provide daily Canada-first coverage throughout the tournament, including game recaps, player features, and analysis from Brno.

Follow along at provectusmedia.ca for complete coverage of Team Canada at the 2025 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.