Radim Mrtka of the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters (OHL) and Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) have been named nominees for the CHL Prime Draft Prospect Award introduced by Kubota Canada, which is yearly given out to the highest prospect eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft.
The recipient of the CHL Prime Draft Prospect Award shall be introduced and given his trophy at a ceremony for the 2025 CHL Awards on Friday, June 13, in Toronto, Ontario.
Over time, the CHL Prime Draft Prospect Award has been received by many nice gamers together with Joe Thornton (Soo Greyhounds), Vincent Lecavalier (Rimouski Océanic), Patrick Kane (London Knights), Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting), Connor McDavid (Erie Otters), Alexis Lafrenière (Rimouski Océanic), Connor Bedard (Regina Pats) and most just lately Cayden Lindstorm (Drugs Hat Tigers).
WHL Nominee — Radim Mrtka (Seattle Thunderbirds)
4G-32A, 35 PTS, +10 in 43 GP throughout the 2024-25 season
Ranked at No. 5 by NHL Central Scouting of their Closing Rankings forward of the 2025 NHL Draft, Radim Mrtka of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the second-ranked North American skater from the CHL on their record. Mrtka performed his first sport for the Thunderbirds on Nov. 29 and would go on to swimsuit up in 43 regular-season video games, scoring 4 targets and 35 factors alongside the way in which.
The native of Havlíčkův Brod, Czech Republic, additionally suited up for his nation on the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the place he received silver. On the 2025 IIHF U18 Males’s World Championship, Mrtka scored a purpose and 4 assists on the way in which to being named the Prime 3 participant on Czechia.
The 6’6”, 216 lbs defender is the primary WHL import participant ranked within the high 5 since Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl (Cologne, Ger. / Kelowna Rockets) slotted in at fourth in 2019. He’s additionally the primary WHL defenceman listed within the high 5 since Buffalo Sabres blueliner Bowen Byram (Cranbrook, B.C. / Vancouver Giants) was tagged at second general in 2019.
OHL Nominee — Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters)
7G-15A, 22 PTS, +21 in 17 GP throughout the 2024-25 season
Ranked at No. 1 by NHL Central Scouting of their Closing Rankings forward of the 2025 NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters is the top-ranked North American skater from their record. Whereas accidents restricted Schaefer to only 17 video games this 12 months, he dazzled when he was on the ice. He racked up 22 factors (seven targets) and a +21 score with the Otters, however his potential to be a difference-maker each single evening makes him the most effective defenceman accessible.
The native of Stoney Creek, Ontario, began the 2024-35 marketing campaign captaining Canada to gold on the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, placing up two targets and 6 factors in 5 video games to guide all defenders in scoring. He additionally scored a purpose and an help for Staff CHL in two wins within the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Problem. The previous first general choose within the OHL Draft parlayed these successes right into a spot on Canada’s World Junior Championship earlier than struggling a season-ending harm within the second sport of the event.
The 6’2”, 183lbs defenceman is the very best ranked OHL defenceman since Florida Panthers star Aaron Ekblad (Belle River, ON / Barrie Colts) ranked second in 2014 and the primary CHL defenceman to be ranked primary since Ekblad’s teammate in Florida, Seth Jones (Plano, TX / Portland Winterhawks) was in 2013.
QMJHL Nominee — Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats)
35G-49A, 84 PTS, +51 in 56 GP throughout the 2024-25 season
Ranked at No. 7 by NHL Central Scouting of their Closing Rankings forward of the 2025 NHL Draft, Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats is the top-ranked QMJHL skater from their record. This season, Desnoyers ranked fifth in QMJHL scoring with 84 factors (35-49) in 56 video games. His common of 1.50 factors per sport was the second highest within the QMJHL. The previous first general choose within the QMJHL Draft led the league with 11 game-winning targets.
The native of St-Hyacinthe, QC began the 2024-35 marketing campaign successful gold on the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, placing up a purpose and 5 factors in 5 video games. Desnoyers additionally scored a purpose and an help for Staff CHL over two wins within the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Problem. Within the postseason, Desnoyers took his sport to a different degree, main the Wildcats to their first Gilles Courteau trophy since 2010, scoring 9 targets and 30 factors in 19 video games, incomes playoff MVP honours.
The 6’2”, 173lbs centre is the very best ranked QMJHL skater since New York Rangers’ winger Alexis Lafrenière (Saint-Eustache, QC / Rimouski Oceanic) was ranked first in 2020. He’s additionally the highest-ranked centre since New Jersey Devils’ captain Nico Hischier (Naters, SUI / Halifax Mooseheads) was second in 2017.
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