40 Players Selected for 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
Published on December 12, 2022 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Halifax Mooseheads News Release
The Canadian Hockey League announced today the 40 players invited to compete in the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Slated for January 25 at the Langley Events Centre, the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game showcases the top-40 CHL players eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft from across the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 40 players were identified via a survey conducted with the NHL's 32 teams.
The roster includes Mathieu Cataford of your Halifax Mooseheads. The talented sophomore is second in Mooseheads scoring this season with 40 points on 18 goals and 22 assists. The native of Saint-Constant, QC was drafted by the Herd with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft and is the highest scoring player from that draft class with 86 career points. Cataford was named to the QMJHL's All-Rookie team last season and is currently listed as a "B" prospect by NHL Central Scouting as a potential second or third round pick in June's NHL Entry Draft.
In all, the 40 players count 19 from the WHL - headlined by 2023 NHL Draft favourite and North Vancouver, B.C., native Connor Bedard of the Regina Pats - as well as 15 players from the OHL and six from the QMJHL. Additionally, 32 CHL clubs are represented by at least one player, led by the Seattle Thunderbirds with three, plus six other clubs with multiple representatives including the host Vancouver Giants counting left-wing Samuel Honzek and centre Jaden Lipinski.
Team rosters and leadership groups for the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will be announced at a later date.
With a majority of tickets already sold, fans are encouraged to act quickly to secure their seat to the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Tickets begin at $29.95 plus applicable taxes and fees and are available online, by telephone at 604-882-8800, and in person at the Langley Events Centre ticket office (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and until the end of the first period on Giants game days).
The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game was last held in Kitchener in March 2022 where Team White defeated Team Red 3-1. Jagger Firkus (Team White/Moose Jaw) and Shane Wright (Team Red/Kingston) were named Players of the Game and were both later selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft. In all, 38 players who competed in the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game were chosen in the 2022 NHL Draft headlined by Wright at fourth overall.
Since its reintroduction as the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in 1996, the event has featured 15 players who were later selected first overall in the NHL Draft including Alexis Lafreniere (2020), Nico Hischier (2017), Connor McDavid (2015), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Taylor Hall (2010), John Tavares (2009), Steven Stamkos (2008), Patrick Kane (2007), Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Rick Nash (2002), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Joe Thornton (1997), and Chris Phillips (1996).
With more than 1,300 players competing for 60 teams across Canada and the United States, the CHL is home to the NHL stars of tomorrow with live game action available on CHL TV, accessible via the CHL App, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and online. The 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game airs live from the Langley Events Centre on TSN, TSN.ca, the TSN App, and RDS on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at 7 p.m. Pacific.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2022
- 4 QMJHL Players to Represent Canada at WJC - QMJHL
- Ivan Ivan Makes Videotron QMJHL Team of the Week: 2022-23: Week 12 - Cape Breton Eagles
- Sea Dogs Week Preview: Final Games Before the Holiday Break - Saint John Sea Dogs
- 2022-2023 Videotron Team of the Week Named for Week 12 - QMJHL
- QMJHL Player of the Week: Etienne Morin (December 12, 2022) - Moncton Wildcats
- Six QMJHLers Selected for Top Prospects Game - QMJHL
- 40 Players Selected for 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Halifax Mooseheads
- Etienne Morin Named QMJHL Player of the Week for Week 12 - QMJHL
- Eagles Hang On In Cape Breton - Moncton Wildcats
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