Oshawa, London to host Canada-USA junior hockey Prospects Challenge

The Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa and London’s Budweiser Gardens will host the two-game CHL USA Prospects Challenge this November.

The new series between draft eligible prospects from Canada’s three top junior leagues and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 team will take place on November 26 in London and November 27 in Oshawa.

“We are really excited to be heading to two strong hockey markets in London and Oshawa for the inaugural edition of this brand-new event,” said CHL President Dan MacKenzie. “The CHL USA Prospects Challenge will be a can’t-miss, two-game series on the prospect calendar not only for this season but for years to come. We look forward to bringing it to life in London and Oshawa this November and providing our incredible fans with a chance to come watch a future generation of NHL stars.”

The format of the series, which builds off one of hockey’s greatest rivalries, will see teams earn two points for a win and zero points for a loss, regardless of whether a game ends in regulation, overtime, or a shootout. If a game is tied after regulation, teams will play a five-minute three-on-three overtime period, followed by a three-round shootout if necessary. If either game is still tied after three players have shot for each team, the shootout will continue in a sudden-death fashion using different players until a team wins the game.

If after the completion of the second game of the series has the CHL and NTDP’s U18 team tied at two points each, the teams will play a three-on-three 20-minute period(s) until a goal is scored to determine the winner of the series.

“The entire Generals organization and I are extremely excited to bring this prospects game to Oshawa and our loyal fans,” said Oshawa Generals owner Rocco Tullio. “This event is the first ever of its kind, and we look forward to hosting and showcasing what our great city, community and fans have to offer.”

Set to be a part of the calendar over the next three seasons, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will see players from the CHL and NTDP’s U18 team compete before hundreds of NHL scouts and thousands of fans to improve their draft stock ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft. Players for the CHL team will be provided by NHL Central Scouting as selected by the NHL’s 32 clubs, and much like other national events in the CHL, the hosting duties of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge will rotate between the CHL’s three Member League markets each year.

Tribute Centre, Oshawa