In order to allow their players to be seen by the scouts of the 32 NHL teams, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the Bettman Circuit are currently working on the presentation of a tournament featuring the top prospects of the three leagues. Canadian this summer.
The plan is still not finalized but according to our information, the QMJHL, the WHL and the OHL would each form a team made up of the best prospects eligible for the next draft playing in their league. These three teams would then play two games against each of the other two leagues, in front of the NHL scouting teams.
“It’s still too early to comment on this,” CHL Communications Coordinator Cory Wilkins told us Thursday. I can confirm that the project is under study and if we have the opportunity to go ahead, we will consider it. “
IN EDMONTON?
One thing is certain, it is that the project has been circulating in conversations for several weeks and is a pleasure for recruiters. Four of them, contacted by The newspaper, confirmed to have heard of this project, which was on the agenda during a meeting of the general managers of the NHL no later than Wednesday, according to what one of these scouts told us.
For now, the city of Edmonton would be at the top of the list to host this modified version of the CHL Top Prospects Game. This mini-tournament would take place somewhere at the end of June or the beginning of July, a few weeks before the presentation of the draft, still scheduled for July 23 and 24.
If it would serve the interests of the three Canadian circuits, there is no doubt that this tournament would have an even greater importance for the OHL players who saw their league season be canceled last Tuesday without having had the opportunity to play matches.
Some of the circuit’s top prospects have opted for Europe this season to play matches, including defender Brandt Clarke, while others will have the chance to make their mark at the U18 World Championship which kicks off Monday in Texas.
These are only a minority of the prospects eligible for the 2021 draft, however, and a large chunk of those have had no chance of showing off this year. “Hopefully it will take place, at least to see some OHL players,” commented elsewhere in Journal a recruiter from a Western team.
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