2025 NHL Draft Watch: Team CHL vs US-NTDP Game 2

Thoughts from CHL USA Prospects Challenge, Day 2 (Canada Wins 3-2)

Upside Hockey’s prolific prospect profiler Trevor Curtis thoughts and observations from the Team CHL/ Team USNTDP game.
Team CHL scored just 16 seconds in, with Caleb Desnoyers tipping in the Porter Martone shot. With 5 minutes to go in the first, USA scores on a Cole McKinney breakaway from D Drew Schock IV (yup, that's his name). CHL pulls ahead again in the second with Misa scoring from home plate- assisted by Desnoyers and LW Malcolm Spence. Shots were 26-5 after 2 periods. Halfway through the 3rd period, C Jack Murtagh scores from Schock IV, and Mooney, but the hero for team CHL is Cole Reschny, who finds the back of the net with 1:12 left in the game, from RW Justin Carbonneau and Spence.

C Caleb Desnoyers: Played much better today, and showed why he's hovering around the top-10 of the draft. He was very physical today, and even when he's not providing offence he's doing all the little things right and playing a detailed defensive game. He lifts sticks, picks pockets, blocks shots, and levelled a huge hit in the third on Donato Bracco. He showed a bit more of his true self self today offensively, and showcased his top-shelf hockey sense on the Misa goal, where he found his man through layers of traffic.

RW Porter Martone: Like Desnoyers, he played much better in game 2, and was more focused. He had plenty of chances, and made several plays that weren't finished. He didn't shy away from the extracurricular activities today, and even dangled the gloves a few times- daring anybody to fight him.

D Kashawn Aitcheson: As expected, he was unrelentingly physical and mean, and seemed to be in the middle of every scrum. He drives opponents crazy, and plays sound two-way hockey- to say he plays on the edge is a big understatement.

LW Malcolm Spence: He looks like a man against boys at times, especially with how composed he plays. He's smart, responsible, hard-nosed, and in the thick of the action at all times.

C Cole McKinney (USA): I like this kid, and I think he'll be picked around the late first, or early second. Excellent hockey sense, mixed with grit, and he showed off his speed and slick hands by beating the CHL goalie (a good one in Jack Ivankovic) in the first. He plays an energetic two-way game.

D Drew Schock IV (USA): He was one of USA's best performers, with 2 assists. He's small (5'10") but quite smart, and also a bit feisty and tough- he will take a hit to make a play, block shots, and isn't afraid to play in traffic. Schock is fairly well-rounded, playing with tons of energy and working hard on both sides of the puck. He joins the rush and activates frequently, but his skating looks to be around average.

D Asher Barnett (USA): I have him going in the third round, as he's talked about as having excellent potential- and indeed, he looks a bit raw and perhaps more of an unfinished product. I like this kid, and he was very noticeable today. He's developing his game in the offensive zone, but right now he's a conscientious defensive presence who loves the rough stuff and plays a physical style. He showed in this game that he can be a menace in the trenches, and downright mean in scrums- with some punches thrown and facewashes dished out. He's strong and competitive, and tried to put an opposing forward into the backboards through his net after they messed with his goalie in the 2nd. He skates well, displays a smart first-pass, and will join the rush in order to unleash his powerful shot. He's listed at 6'0",185lbs- but I thought he looked bigger, so I looked it up- some say he's actually 6'1", and 200lbs.

D Maceo Phillips (USA): Makes his 6'5" presence felt every shift- he's a bit of a bully, and the opposition knows when he's out there. I take back what I said about him last game- he's actually a decent skater, but doesn't always keep his feet moving and needs work on his edges and agility. He is pretty good at angling attackers to the outside, and has an excellent stick that he used to kill several plays and block a ton of passes and shots. With his size and athleticism, and the fact that he appears to be a good (albeit raw) shutdown D, I could see him going in the top 3 rounds.

C Will Moore (USA): Showed off his speed and power at times, even beating a defender wide for a shot on net. I wish he played in the CHL, instead of a weak NTDP squad- and I could say the same about Murtagh and McKinney. All three would have better numbers.

C Jack Murtagh (USA): Team USA's best player again, he scored from virtually the same spot as he did yesterday. I really like this kid, he's got a high motor, and plays with superb energy and compete. He's one of the youngest players available in the upcoming draft, with an August 22nd birthday, and yet he's a highly driven player. Obviously, he has an excellent shot in his arsenal, and doesn't mind the rough-going. If he's still available with a late first-rounder, it might be wise to select him.

C/W Ben Kevan (USA): It's not his fault that he faded into the background a bit in these games, as team USA was horribly caved in, but to me- he was one of the biggest disappointments in these 2 games. When he's on, he plays with a giant chip on his shoulder, and can grind it out with the best of them. He forechecks hard, plays physical, and provides offense with good skill and soft hands. I was a fan of his at the Hlinka tourney, where he put up 3 points in 5 games- good for 6th on USA's list of forwards, and currently has 15 points in 14 USHL games, with 23 PIM. He's known to be hard to play against along the boards, despite being only 6'0", and 183lbs.

For game 1 thoughts:

Check out our extensive 2025 NHL Draft Rankings November Edition. We’ve ranked the Top 96 with nearly 350 prospects included and tons of additional features.

BONUS: Trevor Curtis has also provided his alternative Top 100: