2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in association with National Hockey League Central Scouting announced 40 players that were invited to compete in the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. 

The Western Hockey League (WHL) has 13 players selected to participate in this year’s event and this marks the 25th annual showcase of top CHL players eligible for the NHL Draft. 

The event will be held January 16, 2020 (Thursday) and will be hosted by the Hamilton Bulldogs and it should be noted that the 40 players selected were chosen by NHL clubs showcasing players from the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL.

Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting mentioned “All 31 NHL clubs have a say in the player selection process and take great interest in this best-on-best showcase and the Kubota CHL/NHL” 

He continued “Top Prospects Game is a great opportunity for scouts and general managers to evaluate talent and we look forward to seeing which players will make their mark in Hamilton.”

Among the players named to the preliminary roster are Canadian National Junior Team members such as CHL top scorer and reigning Player of the Year Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic, fellow forwards Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves and Dawson Mercer of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, defenceman Jamie Drysdale of the Erie Otters, and goaltender Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm.  

Three more players including Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit, Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers, and defenceman Braden Schneider of the Brandon Wheat Kings will also compete after attending Canada’s Selection Camp for World Juniors.

The CHL has 60 member clubs and 31 feature 17 from the OHL from 13 different teams, 13 WHL players from 10 different teams, and 10 QMJHL players from 8 different teams.  

Nine different teams have two players that are listed, which include Brandon, Drummondville, Kamloops, the Ottawa 67’s, Prince Albert Raiders, Shawinigan Cataractes, Soo Greyhounds, Sudbury, and the Windsor Spitfires.

It should be noted that 19 of the players selected received an ‘A’ rating as possible first round candidates that are determined by NHL Central Scouting in their November Players to Watch list. 

This includes 13 forwards and 6 D-men, while 17 players were given ‘B’ ratings which includes 11 forwards and 6 defencemen and it’s interesting to know that all four goaltenders are listed as ‘C’ rated prospects.

WHL Players Selected for 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game:

For a full list of players selected to participate in the event, visit https://kubotatopprospects.ca/.

The 40 players will be divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting and announced as well as the coaching staff in January and you should note that 12 CHL players from last year’s game in Red Deer saw 12 players selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. 

Blades forward Kirby Dach was selected third overall and currently competing as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.  

In the 24 years of the event there have been 329 CHL players chosen by NHL clubs in the first round of the NHL Draft which represents (around) 45% of all players selected.  

The  showcase or marquis event first began in 1996 and since then 14 players selected were the first overall pick in the NHL Draft which includes Nico Hischier (2017), Connor McDavid (2015), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Taylor Hall (2010), John Tavares (2009), Steven Stamkos (2008), Patrick Kane (2007), Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Rick Nash (2002), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Joe Thornton (1997), and Chris Phillips (1996).

Tickets are on sale for the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at ticketmaster.ca or call 855-985-4357.  For group and promotional inquiries, please contact the Hamilton Bulldogs at 905-529-8500.
For more information please visit http://kubotatopprospects.ca.