‘Super happy to get the call’: Top CHL prospects are set to take on the best from the U.S.

Top prospects from the Canadian Hockey League will go up against top prospects from the United States in a two-game series set for this week.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck was a late add to the CHL roster for this week’s 2025 CHL/USA Prospects Challenge.

Ruck got the call when Oshawa Generals forward Brooks Rogowski went down with an injury.

The two teams will face off at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday night and then again in Lethbridge on Wednesday night.

Ruck says he’s excited for the games.

“It’s a huge honour, for sure,” said Ruck.

“Obviously, it sucks for the guy that went down, but I was super happy to get the call to come step up. ... I’m super excited for this opportunity.”

Americans on the CHL roster

The CHL actually has a couple of Americans playing for them.

Kelowna Rockets goaltender Harrison Boettiger was born in Wheat Ridge, Colo.

He played in this game for the United States last year but is happy to change jerseys this year.

“It’s awesome to see both sides and be able to experience being in my home country and then playing in one of the best leagues in the world,” he said.

“Being able to represent both of them at the highest stage—it’s nothing but an honour and something I’m very thankful for.”

JP Hurlbert, a forward with the Kamloops Blazers, was born in Allen, Texas, and says it will be a little strange to play against the U.S.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Hurlbert.

“I have a lot of friends over there, but to play for Team CHL is a humongous opportunity, and I’m just looking forward to it.”

CHL at a disadvantage: coach

Team CHL had its first practice on Monday morning at WinSport.

CHL head coach Willie Desjardins says because the players have never played a game together, they’ll be at a disadvantage.

“When I talk about the advantage the USA team will have, for sure, it’s that they’ve had a lot more structure and system stuff than us,” he said.

“We’re going to have to learn a little bit out of video, and the quicker we can learn that, the better we’ll be, but they’ll certainly have an advantage on the systems stuff.

Puck drop for both games will be at 6 p.m.