The 2025 edition of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge is in the books. Team CHL emerged victorious in Lethbridge, Alberta with a 4-3 win over Team USA, outshooting the Americans 37-27 along the way. Projected first-rounder Xavier Villeneuve scored the game-winning power play goal with just over three minutes to play. The victory tied the series at one game apiece.
Following the regulation victory was a 3-on-3 sudden death overtime to determine the winner of this year’s Challenge (the format being that 20-minute 3-on-3 periods would be played until someone scored). Team USA forward Victor Plante scored 5:53 into the first overtime to provide the Americans with this year’s title. However, this came after a glorious 2-on-1 scoring opportunity for Team CHL right off the opening face-off. Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants whistled a shot from the high slot over the crossbar to end this chance.
QMJHL d-man Villeneuve cemented his standing as a first-round talent, showcasing terrific offensive attributes as well as an excellent ability to defend despite his smallish stature. The same can be said of OHL forward Caleb Malhotra, whose ability to play in all situations could best be seen with his short-handed tally for Team Canada’s second goal in Lethbridge. In that sequence, Malhotra created a turnover at his own blue line, then outraced everyone the length of the ice for the score.
For the Americans, forward Wyatt Cullen had a very strong showing with three points (1G 2A), perhaps vaulting him into a B rating (2nd/3rd round) from a C-rated prospect (4th/5th round). Defensively, Boston University commit Luke Schairer’s two assists and exceptional puck-moving abilities may have moved him from a second-round pick in most rankings (despite being an A-rated player) into first-round consideration.