Top players in CHL USA Prospects Challenge debated by Central Scouting

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris has quickly become an important early checkpoint on the road to the NHL Draft.

The first four players named to the Canadian Hockey League team for the 2026 event give scouts plenty to evaluate.

Forwards Brock England of the Seattle Thunderbirds (Western Hockey League), Dima Zhilkin of the Saginaw Spirit (Ontario Hockey League), Alexis Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League) and Carter Meyer of the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) will represent Team CHL in the two-game series against USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 team. Each player is a projected first-round candidate for the 2027 NHL Draft.

The event begins at the Georges-Vezina Centre in Chicoutimi, Quebec on Dec. 1 before shifting to Videotron Centre in Quebec City on Dec. 2. 

What will the prospects show on one of the biggest stages of their young careers?

England has four points (two goals, two assists) in six WHL games. Zhilkin has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in eight OHL games and is keeping a diary for NHL.com ahead of the 2027 draft.

Joseph has nine points (four goals, five assists) in nine QMJHL games. Meyer, who has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in eight games, will have the opportunity to play in front of a familiar crowd when the series concludes in Quebec City.

The series has established a strong connection to the NHL Draft. Of the 44 players who represented Team CHL during the first two editions of the event, 42 were selected, including 27 in the first round. That history puts additional attention on every participant.

What separates England, Zhilkin, Joseph, and Meyer from the rest of the 2027 draft class? Which attributes already project to the NHL? Where does each prospect still need to improve?

NHL Central Scouting is here to help.

Central Scouting director Karl Stewart, associate director of scouting David Gregory, senior Eastern scout Jean-Francois Damphousse and senior Western scout John Williams offer their evaluations of the four forwards, examine their strengths, and what each could bring to Team CHL in December:

Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

"During my last viewing of England, he started the night on left wing on the top line. They did move him to the middle as the game went on since Seattle was having a tough time scoring. Brock is a bit snakebitten right now, but he is averaging close to six shots on goal per game, so he's bound to start scoring. He is a dynamic player who can bring you out of your seat. He's explosive on his skates with speed and quickness to go with elite puck skill. He had a couple of rushes where he just blew by people to get to the net. He just hasn't had the puck luck out of the gate. Although a bit undersized (5-foot-10, 160 pounds), he does bring swagger and edge to his game. He doesn't fear going into hard areas and will push back. He's always in the middle of scrums." -- John Williams

Alexis Joseph, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

"Alexis has quickly established himself as a top player for the Saint John Sea Dogs and in the QMJHL, combining size, skill, and offensive instincts to dominate the play. At 6-foot-5, he uses his reach and strength effectively, but what stands out most is his hockey sense and ability to create scoring chances. During his rookie QMJHL season in 2025-26, Joseph recorded 24 goals and 36 assists for 60 points in 54 games, finishing among the league's top first-year players and establishing himself as a key offensive catalyst. So far this season, he has continued to build on that success, producing at close to a point-per-game pace while showing increased confidence with the puck and greater consistency in all three zones. His combination of size, playmaking ability and scoring touch has made him a major factor in the Sea Dogs' attack and a highly regarded prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft." -- David Gregory

Carter Meyer, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

"Carter is off to a good start with the Quebec Remparts playing left wing instead of his natural center position, which shows the type of versatility he can bring to a hockey club. I still think center will be the position that he will play long term with his smarts and skating skills. He has the opportunity to play on a line with Nathan Quinn (Philadelphia Flyers) in the middle and Maddox Dagenais (St. Louis Blues) on the right side. It will be a dynamic line and a tough one to handle for most clubs. Carter brings a solid all-around game, capable of playing in traffic vs. top opponents and can be an offensive generator with his excellent puck skills and speed. He has the swagger and talent to be an elite player, confident in his abilities and seems to elevate in big moments. He's adapting quickly to his new environment, probably even smoother with his brother (Freddy Meyer) playing with the Remparts as well." -- Jean-Francois Damphousse

Dima Zhilkin, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

"It would not surprise anyone if Dima scored 70 goals this season. These types of offensive talents don't grow on trees, so when you see him, appreciate what you are watching. The hardest thing to do in the NHL is score goals. Dima will score goals in the NHL. Off the rush, off the cycle and on the power play, he can hurt you from anywhere. The only thing that will prevent him from doing this in the NHL is if the organization drafting him doesn't give him the opportunity, but I don't see that happening. The scouting community has been watching Dima for a couple years, so there is a comfort level when projecting him in the NHL. Dima will be a top NHL draft pick come June. Fans of the Ontario Hockey League and Saginaw have one more year of him in their backyards. My suggestion is get out and see this talented hockey player work and hone his crafts." -- Karl Stewart