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Scotiabank Saddledome to host CHL/USA Prospects Challenge on Nov. 25
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Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Pike
Jun 29, 2025, 17:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 29, 2025, 13:23 EDT
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Good news, Calgary Flames fans! Doing your homework for the 2026 NHL Draft will be a bit easier. On Saturday, in advance of the second day of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Canadian Hockey League announced that Calgary’s historic Scotiabank Saddledome will host a game of the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge on Nov. 25.
The other game in this year’s series will be hosted in Lethbridge on Nov. 26.
The CHL/USA Prospects Challenge is a brand-new event, debuting during the 2024-25 season, and pits a CHL super-team of draft eligible prospects against the U.S. National Development Program’s Under-18 Team. Traditionally, outside of maybe the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August or the Under-18 World Championship in April, we don’t get to see the top draft-eligible players go head-to-head, and the brief CHL/USA Prospects Challenge helps provide that opportunity mid-season.
Last season, 22 CHL players faced the USA Under-18 Team. 16 of those CHLers, including Flames 18th overall pick Cole Reschny, were taken in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Flames third-rounder Mace’o Phillips played in both games for the USA Under-18 Team.
In the media release announcing the games, WHL Commissioner Dan Near expressed his excitement:
“The Western Hockey League is excited to welcome the CHL USA Prospects Challenge to Calgary and Lethbridge,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “The Calgary Hitmen and Lethbridge Hurricanes will serve as excellent hosts for this world-class event, and we thank both Clubs and their communities for welcoming this event with open arms. We look forward to showcasing the best players from across the entire Canadian Hockey League and are eager to once again ignite the great rivalry that exists on the ice between Canada and the United States.”
You never know, with the 2027 move to Scotia Place approaching quickly, the CHL/USA Prospect Challenge could be the last major hockey event to visit the Saddledome.
The 2026 NHL Draft will take place sometime in June 2026. The format for the draft has yet to be announced.

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