Key players to watch at CHL-USA Prospects Challenge

Game one of the inaugural two-game series between the USNTDP's under 18 squad and the CHL top prospects is set to go Tuesday night in London, with the second game set for Wednesday in Oshawa. All 32 NHL clubs, and likely several NCAA recruiters, will be in attendance to view many of the top prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft.

A lot of the players who will participate in these games appeared on my colleague Sam Cosentino’s most recent draft rankings earlier this month and will also show up when I release my second list of the year early next week.

This new event between the USNTDP and CHL provides an extra layer of intel at this time of the scouting season. It will be interesting to see how the two sides matchup against one another. 

Here's a snapshot of some of the players I'm keeping a close eye on in this series.

TEAM CHL

Porter Martone, 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, F, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)

Martone is a powerful centre whose name is circulating as a potential challenger to James Hagens for the first overall draft selection. He’s being deployed in all situations for the Steelheads and proving that he is more than just a shooter. His playmaking has gone to another level early in the season, making him even more difficult for opponents to check. Martone is one of the leading scorers in the OHL with 17G-26A in 21 games. 

Michael Misa, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) 

Misa is the leading scorer in the OHL with 23G-23A through 23 games and is in his third major junior season after being granted exceptional status to join as an under-age prospect in the spring of 2022. Misa’s game continues to evolve and impress. He’s a transition threat off the rush and displaying much more willingness to aggressively direct pucks on net. Like Martone, Misa doesn’t only provide offence. He’s engaged defensively and has the hockey sense and commitment to be deployed in key defensive scenarios. 

Matthew Schaefer, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, D, Erie Otters (OHL)

Schaefer missed time at the beginning of the season battling mononucleosis, but he’s back with a vengeance and solidifying himself as a player to watch contend for the first overall pick in the draft. Schaefer logs an incredible amount of ice time in Erie -- in his past five-game segment he averaged over 31 minutes per game. He’s used in all situations, plays with pace, has skill and exceptionally high-end compete. Schaefer is a complete player in my books and has produced 6G-12A in 14 games.

Kashawn Aitcheson, 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Throughout the course of the season, certain prospects arrive on the scene and impress me with how their game is evolving physically and mentally. It’s a bonus when I get to personally interact with the player and get to know what makes him tick off the ice as well as between whistles. Cosentino and I sat down with several players ahead of these games on Monday and Aitcheson was one of the most impressive young men of the lot. He lights up a room with his personality.

On the ice, Aitcheson is a menace to play against. He’s quick to gap up and kill plays defensively, takes pride in his physical approach, and is also chipping in more offence this season. Aitcheson is deployed in all situations for the Barrie Colts. His overall puck play is a work in progress, but it’s trending in a positive direction. Aitcheson is a two-way defenceman who’s chipped in 6G-7A in 20 games. 

Braeden Cootes, 6-feet, 183 pounds, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

For those of us who enjoy watching a “throw back” style of prospect, Cootes fits the bill. He’s an energetic player who seems to always end up in the middle of things. Cootes is deployed in all situations in Seattle. He’s uber competitive, averages a point per game (9G-13A) and is willing to do whatever it takes for his team.

Caleb Desnoyers, 6-foot-2, 173 pounds, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Desnoyers is driving the offence for the Wildcats this season and his goal scoring has gone to another level -- after scoring 20 times in 60 games last season, he's already notched 14 in just 20 games this season.

Desnoyers is a crafty player off the rush. He can attack with speed and push defenders back off their blue line, or pull up and wait for seems to open and distribute the puck. He doesn’t cut corners and works the entire length of the ice. In time he will add more weight and strength to his frame, but he’s already plenty involved in traffic. 

TEAM USNTDP

Will Moore, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, F

Moore has added considerable strength to his frame and it has helped him in the hard areas along the boards and out front of the opponent’s net. Moore has really good puck touch. When pucks arrive on his stick in high danger areas, he generally takes advantage. His length allows him to shield the puck on his way to the net. In time, with even more added strength, Moore will be able to create more open ice separation with his skating. 

Jack Murtagh, 6-feet, 200 pounds, F

Murtagh is coming on for me, and it's hard not to notice him. He plays a relatively straight forward game. He’s quick to pounce on pucks and tracks the full length of the ice with enthusiasm. Murtagh doesn’t shy away from contact or taking the puck to the crease when he gets the edge. His combination of speed and compete leads to scoring chances. In a recent 10-game segment, Murtagh produced 6G-2A, and all of his ice time is coming at even strength and the power play. He’s an infectious player. 

Charlie Trethewey, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, D 

Trethewey is an interesting prospect who has underlying offensive upside. He has a compact and strong looking frame and is a very strong skater. Trethewey has the legs to lead the rush, or join as an extra layer, and has also shown he can beat goalies from range on the power play with his quick release to the net. His defensive detail can range at times, so I’m curious to see how he plays in these two games versus a very good CHL team.