The CHL will have the edge in pure skill, but the USNTDP will have the chemistry factor from playing together since the start of 2024-25. That didn\u2019t seem to matter last year, though, with the CHL winning both of its games in London and Oshawa. The first game was a blowout, but the USNTDP put up a much tougher fight in Oshawa, with both games showing a high level of intensity.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a look at five players to watch on each team:<\/p>\n
CHL<\/p>\n
Ethan Belchetz (Terry Wilson\/OHL Images)<\/p>\n
Ethan Belchetz, LW (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)<\/p>\n
November Draft Ranking:<\/a> 4th<\/p>\n Belchetz is a mean, mean man. He\u2019s massive at 6-foot-5 and nearly 230 pounds, and he uses his frame to create havoc anytime he can. He can overwhelm opponents quite easily, both with his shoulder and his shot. From talking to OHLers, Belchetz is the one they\u2019d hate to go up against the most. At an event like this, where there will be some built-in resentment against the Americans, Belchetz will look to keep his hot streak intact \u2013 he\u2019s one of the most dangerous OHLers right now. Regardless, I expect Belchetz\u2019s play to be a big talking point.<\/p>\n J.P. Hurlbert, RW (Kamloops Blazers, WHL)<\/p>\n November Draft Ranking:<\/a> 12th<\/p>\n In another timeline, Hurlbert would be on USA\u2019s roster for this event. But would his draft stock be anywhere near as high as it is now? The skilled winger is on pace for close to 120 points and is almost certainly the favorite to win the CHL\u2019s Most Valuable Player award. His ability to influence every shift in such a positive way makes him a top-15 prospect. Going from a junior scorer to an everyday NHL contributor is a big leap, but right now, Hurlbert is doing everything in his power to get himself noticed.<\/p>\n Ryan Lin<\/a>, RHD (Vancouver Giants, WHL)<\/p>\n November Draft Ranking:<\/a> 6th<\/p>\n Lin isn\u2019t big, which\u2019ll hurt his draft stock. But from a skill perspective, few defenders can keep up with him.\u00a0He is putting up outstanding numbers with the Giants and could end up being one of the WHL\u2019s top draft-eligible scorers. His decision-making is near the top of this draft class already, and he has the skating to burn guys.\u00a0It was this event last year where Schaefer established himself as the top draft prospect \u2013 we\u2019ll see if Lin can have a similar impact.<\/p>\n Caleb Malhotra, C (Brantford Bulldogs)<\/p>\n November Draft Ranking:<\/a> 18th<\/p>\n Named captain for the CHL, Malhotra has made the most of his rookie campaign. The son of former NHLer Manny Malhotra left the BCHL this summer to join Brantford. It\u2019s paying off, given he\u2019s producing at an 80-point rate. He\u2019s a tremendous playmaker who gives it his all at both ends of the ice. He has very few off nights, which is rare after a player jumps from Junior A to major junior. Malhotra is definitely in the running to go in the top 20 of the NHL Draft, and this showcase could be great for his stock.<\/p>\n Ryan Roobroeck, LW (Niagara IceDogs, OHL)<\/p>\n November Draft Ranking:<\/a> 7th<\/p>\n Roobroeck is hard to miss \u2013 he\u2019s 6-foot-4. His ability to dominate shifts both with and without the puck makes him a difficult force to contain. Roobroeck has an incredible shot, but he also knows how to play specific roles, too. He loves spending a lot of time around the net, and his two-way game has come a long way in the past few years. He\u2019s projected to go in the top 10 because teams love big forwards who can score. I think his production is being held back a bit because the IceDogs aren\u2019t deep, but Roobroeck has been Niagara\u2019s top player this year, no question about it.<\/p>\n USA<\/p>\n Mikey Berchild, LW<\/p>\n November Draft Ranking:<\/a> 43rd<\/p>\n Berchild is small but so dangerous. I\u2019ve loved his play in international competition, especially the recent U-18 5 Nations tournament in Sweden. The University of Denver commit missed some time last year with an injury, but he still managed to be productive with both the U-17 and U-18 teams. Berchild might be undersized, but his speed causes issues for just about everyone he comes into contact with. I like his game as a playmaker, and I think he has an underrated shot, too. If he can build some muscle throughout the year, watch out.<\/p>\n Casey Mutryn, C<\/p>\n November Draft Ranking:<\/a> 44th <\/p>\n Mutryn is a tough son of a you-know-what to go up against. \u00a0I like his physicality and work ethic and think that could allow him to be a decent third-liner. He\u2019s smart, battles hard and has the ability to find chemistry with just about everyone.\u00a0I don\u2019t think he\u2019s a playdriver, but he\u2019s the ultimate support player on a team like the USNTDP. Players like that continue to be valuable in the NHL, and there\u2019s a good chance he\u2019s taken in the top 50 this year. This series proved to be physical last year, so you should expect Mutryn to be fully involved.<\/p>\n Victor Plante, C<\/p>\n November Draft Ranking:<\/a> N\/R<\/p>\n Plante has been my favorite player on the American roster in all my live viewings, and his numbers reflect that, as well. He\u2019s USA\u2019s top center, playing around a point-per-game this season. He was one of the top players at the recent Five Nations tournament, where he showed a bit more of a physical edge than we\u2019re used to. Plante is USA\u2019s best passer, but he\u2019s no slouch as a shooter, either. He comes from a strong hockey family: his dad, Derek, played 450 games in the NHL, while his brothers, Max and Zam, are fighting for the NCAA scoring lead. <\/a><\/p>\n Luke Schairer, RHD<\/p>\nMikey Berchild (Steven Ellis\/The Nation Network)<\/p>\n