Forty-four players are set to compete in the WHL Prospects Game, which will take place on February 18 in Langley, British Columbia. With such high-end prospects as d-men Ryan Lin (13th-ranked North American skater per NHL Central Scouting) and Carson Carels (#3), as well as forwards JP Hurlbert (#10) and Mathis Preston (#24), this promises to be a very entertaining showcase.
Each of the three CHL leagues now boasts its own NHL draft showcase. The Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game took place in Peterborough on January 14, and the QMJHL Prospects Games was held on October 21 in Sherbrooke, QC. Each of the above-mentioned prospects also competed in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, a two-game set which took place earlier this season in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta.
As indicated above, these three prospect games are in addition to the annual CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and afford many more players the opportunity to showcase their skills prior to the upcoming draft. USA Hockey does a very similar thing in hosting the annual All American Prospects Game, in which draft prospects competing in the USHL provide scouts with the chance to evaluate their talents in a best-on-best setting.