Matthew Schaefer and what we learned in Game 1 of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge
The Canadian Hockey League has one, at least temporarily, over the US National Team Development Program.
Matthew Schaefer of Erie in the Ontario Hockey League and Lynden Lakovic of Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League each had a goal and an assist, and Team CHL took the first of two games against the NTDP with a convincing 6-1 win at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in London, ON on Tuesday.
The pair were two of the biggest standouts of the showcase opener.
Here’s what we learned from Game 1 of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge.
Schaefer is that guy
Schaefer, No. 3 in FCHockey’s Preliminary ranking for the 2025 draft, looked every bit of the player that is projected to be the top defenseman in the 2025 NHL Draft class, taking command of the game every time he hoped over the boards. He did so in all three zones. He did it with and without the puck.
The 17-year-old, who captained Canada to gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, just did it.
Back-bar down! #CHLUSAProspectsChallenge
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— FCHockey (@FCHockey) November 27, 2024
“I think he’s next level,” Team CHL coach Kris Mallette told reporters postgame. “I was fortunate to coach him in the summer. The tournament that he had at the Hlinka was phenomenal for our group. He got, obviously, sick at the beginning of the season and missed games and some significant time.
“The effort that he has… he’s out there with no glove, no stick, blocks a shot. Probably not Dave Brown or Stan Butler would like to see but that’s who he is. If he makes a mistake he can find another level to make it better. The calmness that he’s got, the ability to turn it from just a subtle stride to full steam is very impressive.
“He’s a really, really special player that I’ve been fortunate to get to coach.”
This block from Matthew Schaefer… wow. More than a few highlights tonight from the #NHLDraft eligible at the #CHLUSAProspectsChallenge.
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— Aaron Vickers (@AAVickers) November 27, 2024
A full 200-foot highlight reel goal can attest. So can a wicked shot block.
A player of the game nod did, too.
Lakovic continues draft momentum
There’s been a bit of a groundswell around Lakovic and his ability to be a top-10 pick in the 2025 draft. His 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 23 WHL this games this season hasn’t slowed that.
A pair of points, including a first period highlight-reel snipe on a breakaway to break open the CHL USA Prospects Challenge isn’t about to, either.
The 17-year-old’s blend of size — 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds — and skill has certainly caught the attention of scouts.
How’s this for a game-opening snipe?
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— FCHockey (@FCHockey) November 27, 2024
Ravensbergen solid for CHL
He wasn’t tested nearly as often as NTDP counterpart Patrick Quinlan, but Joshua Ravensbergen stood tall when called upon for Team CHL — further evidence that the keeper from Prince George in the WHL is shooting up draft boards with just cause.
In all, Ravensbergen stopped 15 of 16 shots, and added a primary assist on Schaefer’s spectacular end-to-end rush in the second period.
“He’s a student of the game,” Mallette said. “If you talk to him off the ice, he just understands what he needs to be at his best. He’s confident in his structure, so when he needs to or makes a big save, his movements are pretty calm. You saw that tonight. It looked almost effortless at times. Good for him. We had a few breakdowns early and he came up big.”
Aitcheson leaves mark in more ways than one
Goal? Check.
Hits? Check.
Overall impact? Felt.
Kashawn Aitcheson scored a zinger that couldn’t be confirmed in real time in the third period to etch his name onto the scoresheet in the opener of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, but his impression was left throughout each and every 20-minute stanza with some impressive physical play. He landed at least half a dozen impactful hits, involved himself in a handful of scrums, sat two minutes for interference, and finished with a plus-2 rating.
Not a bad introduction.
Back-bar down! #CHLUSAProspectsChallenge
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— FCHockey (@FCHockey) November 27, 2024
“I don’t know much about him but I like him… a lot,” Mallette said. “I think his movement within the game in regards to puck handling, his edgework.. it’s very impressive. The physicality is very impressive. And then the ability, from what I’ve been told and I’ve actually watched, he’s not afraid to mix it up. I think that if there was anything that was to come about he seems to be one of those players who would take it upon himself to be that ultimate teammate.
“Real special player. Really fun to watch and I think just trying to control those emotions, play on that edge, is something that is really special for him.”