Action across the Canadian Hockey League kicked off last weekend, marking the start of a pretty sizeable campaign for every team involved.

The landscape has changed drastically over the past season. Many of the top CHL-eligible players have elected to continue their development south of the border while chasing an NCAA national title. But that’s not the move for everyone, and many of the top prospects will return to either the OHL, QMJHL or WHL for 2025-26.

NHL training camps are in full swing, with many players listed below still hanging around. For the 20 players listed below, we expect all of them to spend most of the year in their respective CHL leagues. Some players left off this list include Calgary’s Zayne Parekh, Seattle’s Berkly Catton, San Jose’s Sam Dickinson and Michael Misa, and Philadelphia’s Jett Luchanko – all are expected to at least start the year in the NHL.

So, if you’re worried about the future of the CHL, don’t be – at least, not yet. There is still plenty of talent to go around. And that’s who we’ll be checking out today:

OHL

Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, 18 (Barrie Colts)

NHL Team: New York Islanders

Aitcheson has the potential to be an intimidating force in the NHL – someone who just gives opponents nothing to work with. His physicality is the best attribute of his game because he’s willing to get involved with just about anyone. Aitcheson finished the 2024-25 OHL regular season with 26 goals and 59 points while registering 88 penalty minutes, earning a reputation as one of the most difficult players to go up against. Aitcheson isn’t an outstanding skater, and his playmaking can be a bit of a mixed bag. But I think the raw talent and the pure tenacity will allow him to be so effective in the NHL.

Jake O’Brien, C, 18 (Brantford Bulldogs)

NHL Team: Seattle Kraken

The Bulldogs are the team to beat in the OHL, and O’Brien is one of the biggest reasons why. He has the skills and the smarts to be a very impressive center in the NHL. In the OHL? Even more effective. His off-puck play is great, and he’s always out-thinking his opponents. O’Brien just fell short of 100 points with 98 last year, but he only continued to get better as the season wore on. He’s never going to blow you away with his pure skill, but his work ethic and ability to be effective in all three zones will allow him to have a solid career.

Cameron Reid, LHD, 18 (Kitchener Rangers)

NHL Team: Nashville Predators

Reid isn’t big, but he can shut guys down. Reid can do a little bit of everything – his three-zone game is so good, and he’s got the intelligence to beat so many players in 1-on-1 situations. The more I watched him in Kitchener, the more I liked him. I love the way he skates, and while he isn’t big, he doesn’t have a ton of issues in physical games. I feel like he got asked to do a bit too much for Kitchener during the playoffs, but I still liked how engaged he was every night. While I’d like him to add some more muscle over the next few seasons, I think his game is in a good spot. Kitchener is going to be so dangerous with Reid on the back end.

Alexei Medvedev, G, 18 (London Knights)

NHL Team: Vancouver Canucks

It was a solid goalie market at the 2025 NHL Draft, and the Canucks got one that many considered to be at the top of the list. The rookie OHLer was a huge part of London’s regular-season success, putting up some excellent numbers alongside CHL veteran Austin Elliott. Medvedev is a quick goalie who has a somewhat unorthodox hunchback style, but his pure athleticism prevails more often than not. There just aren’t many flaws in how he commands the crease – scouts love him. He’ll be the No. 1 in London this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him challenge for the top goaltender honors in the CHL.

Beckett Sennecke, RW, 19 (Oshawa Generals)

NHL Team: Anaheim Ducks

Sennecke was a shocking pick at No. 3 last year, but he made the Ducks look incredibly smart last season. He scored 36 goals and 86 points in 56 games, with the highlight being a 14-point run over a three-game stretch just prior to Canada’s World Junior camp. Sennecke didn’t make the final roster, which was heavily scrutinized when Canada struggled to generate offense. Sennecke started his draft year at 5-foot-10, was drafted at 6-foot-2 and is now listed at 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds – and he’s fully embracing his massive frame now. Add in the offense and the creativity and it’s no longer shocking that the Ducks took him when they did.

Carter George, G, 19 (Owen Sound Attack)

NHL Team: Los Angeles Kings

George was one of the top goaltenders in the CHL last year – and he did so despite being on one of the worst teams in the OHL. He also owned Canada’s crease at the World Juniors, and he’ll have a chance to regain the crease for 2026 in Minnesota, a tournament Canada already looks like a favorite to win. He then finished the season with a shutout in his AHL debut before winning his next start in an equally impressive effort. George was so good no matter whom he played against last year and should have a bright future, despite being a bit smaller at 6-foot-1.

Brady Martin, C, 18 (Soo Greyhounds)

NHL Team: Nashville Predators

Martin played at more than a point per game in the OHL last year, serving as the team’s top young star. He was also one of the best players at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the U-18 World Championship. Away from the puck, he hits everyone in sight. He constantly battles hard for the puck and is a noted goal-scorer, too. Some might look at some of the points the Predators left on the board by taking Martin over, say, Porter Martone. But Martin has proven time and time again that he’s a battler who gives it his all every night and often comes out on top. He’s also much more skilled than people give him credit for, and I’m still very high on him.

Liam Greentree, RW, 19 (Windsor Spitfires)

NHL Team: Los Angeles Kings

Greentree knows a thing or two about putting pucks in the net. He had 49 goals and 119 points in Windsor last year. Greentree was given so much credit for doing a lot of the heavy lifting for the Spitfires in a rebuilding season two years ago. Windsor took big step forward this past year, and Greentree was a huge reason why. The team should be in contention to go far again, and Greentree will look to establish himself as a Canadian world junior star in the process.

QMJHL

Lucas Beckman, G, 18 (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

NHL Team: Ottawa Senators

Beckman had a standout year with the Drakkar, stealing a bunch of games throughout the season. He might only be 6-foot-1, but he’s calm in the crease and doesn’t give up many bad rebounds. He’s athletic and tracks pucks well, and some scouts have noted that his positioning looks a lot better than it did in his QMJHL Draft year. He has had a bunch of shutouts over the past two years, too, which doesn’t hurt. I wish Beckman was bigger, but from a technical and competitive standpoint, there’s a lot to like. There might be other QMJHL prospects with a bit more promise, but I think Beckman is a legit future NHLer.

Justin Carbonneau, RW, 18 (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

NHL Team: St. Louis Blues

Do the Blues have a future first-line goal-scorer on their hands? The Armada sure do. Carbonneau scored 46 goals and 89 points while boasting one of the best shots in the draft class. He’s known for making high-end moves and can beat most players in 1-on-1 situations. The upside is massive here, but he can be prone to giving the puck away too easily and doesn’t engage much physically. Look for Carbonneau to challenge for more than 50 goals, 100 points and the QMJHL scoring title.

Caleb Desnoyers, C, 18 (Moncton Wildcats)

NHL Team: Utah Mammoth

Desnoyers is a safe bet to become a two-way, top-six forward. I like his physical play, mostly because he doesn’t let anyone push him around. I think he’s a great playmaker and he was one of the smarter centers in the 2025 NHL Draft. Desnoyers might not be the flashiest, but at the very least, but he does so many intelligent things with the puck every night. He’s a guy you can win with, having done so at various international tournaments and in the 2025 QMJHL final. The Wildcats are a team to beat every time Desnoyers hits the ice. Assuming he’s at full health this year (he dealt with various ailments in 2024-25), he’s going to contend for CHL MVP honors.

Bill Zonnon, LW, 18 (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

NHL Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

I like Zonnon. He’s very energetic, a tremendous playmaker and is looking more comfortable as a shooter, too. He’s physical, smart and is an excellent passer who can do some dangerous things with the puck. When he has it, he makes things happen in open space. Without it, he creates space for his teammates and he gets himself to the net. It feels like Zonnon has been underappreciated and that he deserves more attention for his work ethic and tremendous vision. He’s the type of player you can stick with other high-end talents and find success.

WHL

Benjamin Kindel, C/RW, 18 (Calgary Hitmen)

NHL Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Kindel was one of the WHL’s hottest prospects last season, and the Penguins are betting high on his upside. He’s equally good as a shooter and a playmaker and is the driving force of Calgary’s attack. Kindel does a great job of finding open space and exploiting it, and he has a shot he can unleash from just about anywhere. I loved him at the recent Buffalo Prospects Challenge, for what its worth. He didn’t do a ton offensively, but he was chasing after pucks everywhere. I think his skating has improved over the past six months or so.

Carter Bear, LW, 18 (Everett Silvertips)

NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings

A season-ending injury before the 2025 playoffs was a big bummer. But he was one of the CHL’s most dangerous forwards this year, registering 40 goals, 82 points and 77 penalty minutes in just 56 games. He’s a difficult player to play against, and his athleticism is top-notch. The injury clearly didn’t scare off the Red Wings, who likely see him as a top-six forward who isn’t afraid to play with a physical edge. Bear is at least another 2-3 years away from NHL duty but I think he’ll be a solid winger – and he’ll show that in Everett this year.

Harrison Brunicke, RHD, 19 (Kamloops Blazers)

NHL Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Brunicke is quite smart with the puck, and I feel like his offensive abilities are better than his numbers suggest. With a 6-foot-3 frame, projectable traits, and some budding offensive potential, there’s a lot to like here. Brunicke saw a slight offensive jump this past season, improving from 21 points in 2023-24 to 30 this past year. He also remained a solid defensive force while keeping his physicality in check. I thought he looked great in the AHL, showing great two-way abilities there. Brunicke will look to make Canada’s world junior team this fall, and while the competition will be difficult, his size could be useful. After that, look for Brunicke to join the WBS Penguins next year.

Tij Iginla, LW, 19 (Kelowna Rockets)

NHL Team: Utah Mammoth

Iginla required hip surgery in December, knocking him out of half the WHL season. That doesn’t take away from what was an otherwise impressive season from the forward, who had 32 points in 21 games. So much of Iginla’s success comes down to his shot. He puts significant volume on net, but he’s always looking for opportunities to use space to his advantage. Iginla has a quick, deceptive release while creating his own time and space – a mark of a real game-changer. He’s not a follower; he makes his own luck. Look for Iginla to have another big year in the WHL, and he’ll definitely be on Canada’s radar for the World Juniors.

Lynden Lakovic, LW, 18 (Moose Jaw Warriors)

NHL Team: Washington Capitals

Lakovic is so much fun to watch, and while he’s not putting up explosive offensive numbers, he reads plays so well and has an excellent shot. Things just seem to happen whenever he has the puck on the rush, and at 6-foot-4, he’s got tremendous size. Some scouts think he’s going to be more of a second-liner at best. He drives the play a bit like Dmitri Voronkov, but I’d like to see it more consistently. I have high hopes for Lakovic this year as he looks to become one of the league’s top wingers.

Joshua Ravensbergen, 18 (Prince George Cougars)

NHL Team: San Jose Sharks

There isn’t a more exciting goaltending prospect in the CHL than Ravensbergen. At 6-foot-5, Ravensbergen has incredible size, great athleticism, and a calm demeanor. Put them together, and he’s an intriguing prospect. His numbers aren’t fantastic by any means, but he snags wins consistently. The team should be a bit better this year, but Ravensbergen will be there to steal games whenever needed. I love how well he moves for his size, and I can’t wait to see how he does in his third WHL campaign.

Braeden Cootes, C, 18 (Seattle Thunderbirds)

NHL Team: Vancouver Canucks

There’s a lot to love about Cootes’ game. The thing that really stands out here is just how much he wants the puck, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Cootes is also a solid playmaker, often easily finding teammates in open space. I think his value goes far beyond his numbers, which you want from a center. He’s not small at six-foot, but he’s not huge, either. That doesn’t seem to hurt him, though, because he’s not afraid to play with an edge. Cootes’ game really grew on me throughout his draft year, and now I’m excited to see where in the top six he ends up moving forward.

Radim Mrtka, RHD, 18 (Seattle Thunderbirds)

NHL Team: Buffalo Sabres

Will Mrtka become the second-best defender in this class? Only time will tell. The big Czech blueliner can shoot, pass and even pull off some high-skill moves. While Mrtka is strong physically, he uses his size more to win battles and fend off attackers than to knock someone over. His ability to get hit but remain in control is second-to-none among defenders in his draft class. Mrtka didn’t score much this past season, but he does a good job of rushing the puck into the offensive zone. He plays a high-risk, high-reward game, and he already looked a bit faster during the Buffalo Prospects Challenge. There’s a chance Mrtka plays in Rochester this year, but I think he’d be better off playing heavy minutes with Seattle.

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OHL

Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, 18 (Barrie Colts)

Jake O’Brien, C, 18 (Brantford Bulldogs)

Cameron Reid, LHD, 18 (Kitchener Rangers)

Alexei Medvedev, G, 18 (London Knights)

Beckett Sennecke, RW, 19 (Oshawa Generals)

Carter George, G, 19 (Owen Sound Attack)

Brady Martin, C, 18 (Soo Greyhounds)

Liam Greentree, RW, 19 (Windsor Spitfires)

QMJHL

Lucas Beckman, G, 18 (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Justin Carbonneau, RW, 18 (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Caleb Desnoyers, C, 18 (Moncton Wildcats)

Bill Zonnon, LW, 18 (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

WHL

Benjamin Kindel, C/RW, 18 (Calgary Hitmen)

Carter Bear, LW, 18 (Everett Silvertips)

Harrison Brunicke, RHD, 19 (Kamloops Blazers)

Tij Iginla, LW, 19 (Kelowna Rockets)

Lynden Lakovic, LW, 18 (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Joshua Ravensbergen, 18 (Prince George Cougars)

Braeden Cootes, C, 18 (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Radim Mrtka, RHD, 18 (Seattle Thunderbirds)

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