Orr, Cherry to coach at 2016 Top Prospects Game

Hockey Hall of Fame member Bobby Orr and Don Cherry, host of "Coach's Corner" on CBC, will coach the teams at the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, the Canadian Hockey League announced Friday.

The 2016 Top Prospects Game, which will feature 40 of the top 2016 NHL Draft-eligible players in the Canadian Hockey League, will be played Jan. 28, 2016 in Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.

It will be the 13th time in 21 years that Orr and Cherry will coach against each other at the event.

"The BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game has evolved into a truly prestigious annual event for all of our players and fans thanks to the support of Don Cherry and Bobby Orr who have helped build this showcase since it first started in 1996," CHL president David Branch said. "The CHL is honored that Don and Bobby are returning behind the bench in January for what will be a very special experience for the 40 players competing on the ice, and for hockey fans in Vancouver and across the entire CHL."

Rosters for the 2016 Top Prospects Game will be announced at a future date. NHL Central Scouting coordinates the rosters, with input from all 30 NHL teams.

Among the top prospects that could participate in this year's game are forwards Matthew Tkachuk (London, OHL), Alexander DeBrincat (Erie, OHL), Alexander Nylander (Mississauga) and Julien Gauthier (Val-d'Or, QMJHL), and defensemen Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia, OHL) and Kale Clague (Brandon, WHL).

Team Orr beat Team Cherry 6-0 at the 2015 Top Prospects Game in St. Catharines, Ontario. Of the 40 players in last year's game, 13 were picked in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, including five in the top 10: Connor McDavid (No. 1, Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Strome (No. 3, Arizona Coyotes), Mitchell Marner (No. 4, Toronto Maple Leafs), Ivan Provorov (No. 7, Philadelphia Flyers) and Timo Meier (No. 9, San Jose Sharks).