NHL Draft: Three Stars Of Game 1 Of CHL USA Prospects Challenge

The first leg of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge featured everything from highlight-reel goals to constant physical battles by NHL draft-eligible talent.

The exciting affair saw Team CHL beat Team USA 6-1. But despite the lopsided score, this was an overwhelming success on the first night of the event.

The rivalry factor between Canada and the USA was evident from the start. This wasn’t just an all-star showcase event. The players truly cared about this game. It's a welcome change from the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Games of the past.

There were plenty of big performances in the game, but three players stood out above the rest. Let’s dive into the three stars of Game 1.

First Star: Matthew Schaefer, D, Team CHL (Erie Otters, OHL)

It was obvious who would be the first star.

Matthew Schaefer was simply fantastic from start to finish in this game. His ability to dominate a shift at both ends of the ice while maintaining his ability to dictate the transition game was simply perfection.

Schaefer scored an end-to-end goal on the power play, had an assist earlier in the game and dominated possession on just about every shift.

NHL scouts have already been drooling over Schaefer’s mobility and IQ, but he’s consistently shown the ability to step up on the big stage and dominate.

This was a statement game from Schaefer as he continues to assert himself as the 2025 NHL draft’s top defenseman. He has 12 assists and 18 points in 14 games for OHL Erie.

Second Star: Cameron Schmidt, RW, Team CHL (Vancouver Giants, WHL)

Schmidt's 5-foot-7 size will always be an issue for NHL scouts, but there will be a ton of conversation around him being a first-round prospect because the kid is a buzzsaw.

Schmidt played at a breakneck pace. His shot is as about good as anyone in the draft class, with 23 goals in 21 games. And he always found a way to get involved physically, whether getting inside leverage around the net or using his speed and motor to get pucks back. He even made a few really stellar defensive plays, including coming back and thwarting a scoring chance while the CHL squad came off a power play.

Schmidt ended this game with a goal and an assist, with his goal coming on just a beautiful snap shot on the rush.

On a 2-on-1, Schmidt stared down Schaefer driving the middle of the ice and then ripped the puck top corner over the goalie’s shoulder. He unleashed his snap shot before the goalie even had the chance to react.

Schmidt's motor and persistence, combined with his speed and skill, are going to make him a fun player to watch.

Third Star: Benjamin Kindel, RW, Team CHL (Calgary Hitmen, WHL)

Kindel's play may have been the most unexpected of the big performers.

His passing was on display all night, connecting with Lynden Lakovic on the game’s opening goal with a wicked stretch pass from his own goal line to the offensive blueline for a breakaway.

Kindel had another pass later in the game that sprung a teammate for another breakaway. He also drove the net and created havoc all night long.

The least appreciated part of what Kindel did all night was how well he played defensively. He constantly got back and pressured opposing puck carriers or disrupted passes.

Kindel was impressive in all facets of the game, doing all of the little things right. It just so happened that he was also able to make some big plays offensively because he stuck to his fundamentals and made the right play at the right time.

Related: CHL USA Prospects Challenge: Six Must-Watch NHL Draft Prospects

Honorable Mentions

Porter Martone (Team CHL, Brampton) was dominant on nearly every shift, showcasing his blend of skill and power. Despite not having a point in the game, he was involved early and often offensively.

Lakovic (Team CHL, Moose Jaw) made great plays all game long. His goal started the scoring fest, but he was involved throughout the night.

Jack Murtagh (Team USA) made the most havoc and consistently created chances for Americans. He was the only player able to break the deadlock with a late power-play goal, and he was quite impressive in small spurts for an American team that was overmatched all night.

Kashawn Aitcheson (Team CHL, Barrie) was a menace all night, setting the tone early with his physical play and brutalizing players with his crushing body checks. He was rewarded with a goal late in the game on top of it.

Game 2 of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge goes down in Oshawa, Ont., on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.

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