CHL TopX Show

Welcome to a Special Road to Memorial Cup edition of CHL coast to coast where you'll get to listen to three conversations I had with players, between the first and second round, looking to make deep runs to the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski.First up is Philadelphia Flyers prospect and London Knights captain Denver Barkey. Then we check in with top draft prospect Caleb Desnoyers from the Moncton Wildcats and last but not least Seattle Kraken prospect and Spokane Chiefs captain Berkly Catton sits down with us.

We are now less than a week away from the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota. Last week I sat down with TSN's Director of scouting, Craig Button to talk about the new event.In my conversation with Craig we discuss the upcoming CHL USA Prospects Challenge, emphasizing the importance of international competition for player evaluation and development. Craig tells us how players can showcase their skills in different roles, we talk about Team CHL captain Porter Martone and the significance of leadership within teams, the expectations for both Team CHL and Team USA. Craig explains how the experience can impact player growth, and the overall excitement surrounding the event.

In our first CHL USA Prospects Challenge edition of the CHL Top 10 Show I recently had the opportunity to talk with one of the captains of the USNTDP U18's, defenceman Asher Barnett as well as captain of Team CHL, Brampton Steelheads' star Porter Martone. Martone is off to a hot start for the relocated Steelheads sitting near the top of the O scoring race in goals and points. We chat about the excitement around the new event, reuniting with his former Team Canada teammates, how he plans to bring Team CHL together fast, what challenges Team USA presents them and how things are going in Brampton this year.Asher came through the Chicago Mission program and is in his second season with the USNTDP. He tells me how excited the Americans are to come up and play against the CHL, how their team is constructed and the style of game they play. How much they know about the CHL players and what they'll have to do to come away victorious.

Welcome to another Road to Memorial Cup edition of the CHL Top 10 Show, this week I chat with a player from each of the leagues that earned sweeps last round. Cam Squires from the Cape Breton Eagles, Trevor Wong from the Saskatoon Blades and Justin Ertel from the North Bay Battalion.Cape Breton's Cam Squires has four or more points in three games already this post season. He leads the entire CHL playoffs with a +18 in 9 games helping lead the Eagles back to the Q semi finals for the first time since 2007.Trevor Wong and the Saskatoon Blades are back in the WHL's conference final for a second straight season. Last year the Blades needed 14 games to make it to the third round, eventually running out of gas against Winnipeg. This year they make it there in just 9 games.The North Bay Battalion have lost in the conference finals to the eventual OHL champions the past two seasons. The last time they faced Oshawa in the conference final was in 2015 when the Gens went on to win the Memorial Cup. Justin Ertel tells us why this year will be different.

Welcome to a Road to Memorial Cup edition of the CHL Top 10. This week I chat with players from three different leagues that earned first round sweeps. Riley Heidt from the Prince George Cougars, Jorian Donovan from the Saginaw Spirit and Colby Huggan from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.Riley tells us how expectations have changed for the Cougars this playoffs, what it's like playing against friends in the post-season, what the team has been up to with their time off, signing his ELC with Minnesota, breaking franchise records and what they have to do in round two against Kelowna.Jorian tells me what it was like joining the Spirit at the deadline, what makes their defence corps so special, how he can use his past experience to help the team during this run, how this team compares to his 2022 Bulldogs team that lost in the Memorial Cup final and what they have to do in round two against the Soo.Colby Huggan tells us why the Titan always believed they could win the series, dodging a bullet in game two, how they were able to shut down the Moose's snipers while capitalizing while shorthanded and what they're going to have to do in round two against a Drakkar team that finished with 23 more wins and 42 more points.

It's our final regular season episode of the CHL Top10 Show, and today we have an all OHL episode with assistant coach of the OHL leading London Knights, Dylan Hunter and the leading scorer for the OHL's Eastern Conference leading Oshawa Generals, Cal Ritchie.Call me superstitious but I wasn't about to talk to Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan in the midst of a 34 game point streak, so we did the next best thing and spoke with Dylan Hunter. Hunter spent five seasons as a player with the Knights in the early 2000's winning a Memorial Cup in '05, after retiring in 2011 he re-joined the Knights as a coach and hasn't looked back.The Oshawa Generals spent the first 17 games of the regular season without their offensive catalyst Cal Ritchie as he recovered from offseason should surgery. Since rejoining the team in mid-november the Avalanche prospect has been a force, helping turn the Gens into serious contenders in the O.

Today I check in with two teams that have been in the Top10 for 19 of 22 weeks. From the top-ranked Baie-Comeau Drakkar it's Justin Gill and from the 7th ranked Portland Winterhawks it's Tyson Jugnauth.Now in his fifth season in the QMJHL, first with the Drakkar, Justin Gill is helping pace the CHL's top team to a franchise record breaking season. The New York Islanders prospect also sits second in Q scoring.After the Portland Winterhawks acquired his rights from Kamloops it didn't take long for Tyson Jugnauth to leave Wisconsin and join one of the top teams in the WHL. The Seattle Kraken prospect has had no trouble adjusting to the CHL.

This week we sit down with the QMJHL's leading point producer and the CHL's leading goal scorer. It's Antonin Verreault from the 10th ranked Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and Zac Funk from the fourth ranked Prince George Cougars.Now in his fourth season in the Q and first with the Huskies. We're getting an opportunity to see what a healthy Antonin Verreault can do for the first time since his rookie campaign. The former 2nd overall pick in the Q has a 34 point lead over his closest teammate.Zac Funk had never scored a WHL hat-trick before the first game of the season this year. The Cougars' overager now has 8 hat-tricks on the season to got along with single season franchise records in goals and power play goals.

Today we check in with a player that keeps break franchise records and one that's just getting settled with his new franchise. It's Saginaw's Zayne Parekh and Swift Current's Conor Geekie.It's hard to believe that Zayne Parekh just turned 18 last week. The right shot defender already holds the Spirit's single season franchise record for goals and points by a defenceman and is on pace to hit the 100 point mark this season.Conor Geekie was off to an incredible start to the season with the Wenatchee Wild. A post World Juniors trade reunited Geekie with his former assistant coach in Winnipeg, now in Swift Current where he continues to have a career season offensively.

Welcome to another episode of the CHL TOP10 Show this week we talk to a pair of WHL stars that have their sights set on extended playoff runs. From the 9th ranked Moose Jaw Warriors Matt Savoie and from the 8th ranked Everett Silvertips Ben Hemmerling.Matt Savoie, after spending three years with the ICE, starting this year in the AHL and NHL followed by a dozen games with the Wild, is settling in with a Warriors team that has Memorial Cup aspirations. After an injury cut Ben Hemmerling's season short last year the Vegas prospect has taken a step forward this year as co-captain of the Everett Silvertips, already surpassing last year's numbers in fewer games.

On this week's episode of the CHL Top 10 Show a pair of forwards from two of the hottest teams in the CHL stop by for a chat. We'll hear from Drummondville's Ethan Gauthier and Saskatoon's Fraser Minten.Gauthier is in the midst of a career year. His first with the Voltigeurs after an offseason trade brought the Tampa Bay prospect from the Sherbrooke Phoenix to his hometown Drummondville Voltigeurs.Fraser Minten has been a bit of a nomad this season playing on four different teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect is happy to be settled in Saskatoon for the final few months of his junior career and his numbers are showing that.

Today's episode of the CHL Top 10 show features a pair of high end prospects for the upcoming NHL Draft that will lead the way at the 2024 Kubota Top Prospects game. It's London Knights' Sam Dickinson and Spokane Chiefs' Berkley Catton.Sam Dickinson, the top ranked OHL skater for the NHL Draft, was recently name captain of team red at the Kubota Top Prospects game. The Knights's blue liner is currently at a point-per-game pace putting him top-10 in the entire CHL.Former first overall pick in the WHL draft, Berkly Catton is having a monster season for the Chiefs currently leading the team in goals and points sitting him 7th in the WHL. The centre will captain team white next week in Moncton.

Back with another edition of the CHL Top 10 Show and today I was lucky enough to talk to two players eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft in the Soo Greyhounds Owen Allard and Baie-Comeau Drakkar's Justin Poirier.The Soo's Owen Allard was a surprise invite to Canada's camp we talk about what type of player he is, the grind of a 6-month post-surgery recovery; how the Greyhounds have improved this season after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012 last year and growing up in a hockey playing family.Baie-Comeau's Justin Poirier talks to us about some sneaky additions to the Drakkar this year, the keys to their success, going the ranks of elite teams in the CHL, the growth in his game as a sophomore, leading the Q in goals, and following in his brother's footsteps.

This week I chat with Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck from the surprising Peterborough Petes and newly signed LA Kings prospect Kohen Ziemmer from the high octane Prince George Cougars.Owen Beck tells us about their impressive start, why they're so comfortable playing in extra time, what it's like playing in the Petes/Gens rivalry and what it's like playing with and against minor hockey teammates and what he started doing this season to help stay loose.Kings' prospect, Koehn Ziemmer talks to us about this being the best team he's played on in the WHL, the scoring depth the Cougars have this season, what it's like playing alongside running mate Riley Heidt, signing his ELC last week and what he likes to do on his days off in PG.

This week I welcome our first coach to the show and another player that's making the Seattle Kraken look like draft wizards. It's Rouyn-Noranda's Martin Dagenais and Kitchener's Carson Rehkopf.

As promised today I chat with Editor in chief of The Hockey News, Ryan Kennedy.We discuss some of the top teams in the CHL right now, some surprise players, which 2024 draft eligibles have been impressing, who to keep an eye on in the 2025 draft and what new and really exciting feature is now available at The Hockey News.

It's the scorers edition of the show where I chat with two guys that seem to be scoring at will right now, that's Porter Martone of the Mississauga Steelheads and Jagger Firkus of the Moose Jaw Warriors.Mississauga's Porter Martone has been filling up the highlight reels for both the Steelheads and Team Canada. The recently turned 17-year-old sits third in the OHL with 11 goals, 8 of which have been scored in his last 4 games.After going 3-1 last week the Moose Jaw Warriors climb to second in the CHL Top 10 this week thanks in large part to the play of sniper Jagger Firkus. The Seattle Kraken prospect currently sits second in the WHL in goals and points.

This week I chat with the captain of the CHL's top ranked Portland Winterhawks as well as last season's QMJHL leading scorer.After making his return to the Q last weekend Jordan Dumais becomes the first returning player as a guest on the show. The Blue Jackets prospect is on the cusp of setting numerous Moosehead franchise records sitting just 18 points, 13 goals and 6 assists back of Brandon Benedict.The top ranked Portland Winterhawks are a model of consistency with 6 consecutive 40+ win seasons, not including the bubble year. For the past five seasons Gabe Klassen has been taught about the winning culture in Portland and now teaches it.

TSN's Director of scouting Craig Button talks to us about what makes a good junior hockey team, which teams could potentially join the Saginaw Spirit at the 104th Memorial Cup presented by Kia, Connor Bedard's impressive start and who might be the next superstar in the CHL.

In our first episode of the season you'll hear from the GM and captain of Saginaw Spirit who just so happen to be hosts of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow.Drinkill tells us about his relationship with coach Chris Lazary, how bidding on the Memorial Cup changed the course of a team that features young stars like Michael Misa and Zayne Parekh; how he plans to use all of those draft picks and the importance of taking time throughout the season to enjoy the ride.Haché talks about the opportunity to join the Spirit; the confidence shown by the coaching staff; how his experience can help with his new teammates Misa and Parekh; the culture in Saginaw and keeping an eye on what's happening in the WHL and QMJHL.

We talk to the two teams that swept their third round series. The 12-0 Quebec Remparts and the 12-2 Winnipeg ICE.ICE captain and Minnesota Wild prospect Carson Lambos has seen this team rise from a 13-win team in 2019 to the Eastern Conference champions. He tells us just how close this group is, how past experiences have shaped this team and what the ICE will have to do to earn a spot at the Memorial Cup presented by Kia in Kamloops.With sweeps of Charlottetown and Rimouski in the rearview mirror Remparts captain Théo Rochette tells us how they were able to shut down the high flying Olympiques, the mentality in the room after just 12 games in 5-weeks and what the Remparts will have to do against the Mooseheads to earn a spot at the Memorial Cup presented by Kia.

Today I talk to the final two teams that earned sweeps in the second round, the 8-2 Sarnia Sting and the 8-1 Gatineau Olympiques.Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Del Bel Belluz tells us what it's like to play in Sarnia right now, taking the battle of the 402 to a whole new level and what the Sting will have to do successfully to win against the London Knights.Then, St. Louis Blues prospect Zach Dean tells us about how impressive Gatineau's team defence has been through two rounds, the impacts of the veterans brought in this year and changing their style of game against a more physical Quebec Remparts team

Today I talk to two more teams that have gone a perfect 8-0 after two rounds; the Sherbrooke Phœnix and the Kamloops Blazers.Anaheim Ducks prospect Tyson Hinds tells us about the upcoming challenges against Halifax. Mainly, shutting down the leagues top-3 scorers. What it's been like watching Joshua Roy take his game to another level and how last year's semi final loss has prepared them for the next series.Then, Minnesota Wild prospect, Caedan Bankier, now in his fourth year with Kamloops tells us why this version of the club is the best he's seen. What it's going to be like to face the Seattle Thunderbirds in the conference final for a second straight year and how nothing about Logan Stankoven surprises him anymore.

Today I talk to two teams that have gone a perfect 8-0 after two rounds; the Quebec Remparts and the Seattle Thunderbirds.Carolina Hurricanes prospect Justin Robidas tells us how the Remparts have been able to execute their game plan so well, how he's playing some of his best hockey since his trade from Val-d'Or and what they're going to have to do the the semi final against the Gatineau Olympiques.Chicago Blackhawks prospect, Kevin Korchinski tells us how the Thunderbirds are a different team this year, the winning culture that was brought into the room and what they're going to have to do to get past Kamloops once again.

This week I talk to two teams that earned unlikely first round sweeps; the Moose Jaw Warriors and Peterborough Petes.Denton Mateychuk and his Moose Jaw Warriors were favoured to win their 4-5 series against the Lethbridge Hurricanes thanks to a 3-1 season series win. After a 2-1 double overtime game one win no one would have predicted a Warriors sweep. The 4th seeded Peterborough Petes lost their season series against the Sudbury Wolves 3-1 and as you'll hear from New York Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann the Petes weren't picked by many to win their first round series let alone sweep.

This week we check in with the top-ranked team and the 10th ranked team in the Kia CHL Top-10 rankings, the Gatineau Olympiques and the North Bay Battalion.Up first is Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom. We talk about why the Battalion have been so successful at shutting down the opposition lately, 11 goals against on current 9-game wins streak, the vibe around the city of North Bay right now and what it's like being traded twice in one season.Then, the QMJHL's leading scorer amongst defencemen, Tristan Luneau joins me after the Olympiques' 21-game win streak was halted. He tells us why the Olympiques play the way they do, the impact of their new captain Olivier Nadeau, the lessons the team learned from last year's playoffs and why Ducks fans should be excited.

Today we have an all hair episode for you with two of the best mullets and NHL Draft prospects in the WHL.First, the seconding leading scorer in the Dub, Zach Benson comes to us fresh off a two-week road trip to tell us what those are like, how the Winnipeg ICE have been able to be so consistent this season and what the team learned from last year's playoff run.Then, the 6th leading scoring in the dub, Riley Heidt, kicks his roommate out to tell us about being on the road, how the Prince George Cougars are taking an underdog mentality this season and how nice it's been going through the draft year process with linemate Koehn Ziemmer.

This week I talk to one of the most prolific defenders in the CHL and the longest current active points streak holder from the QMJHL.First, LA Kings' defenceman Brandt Clarke tells us about being sent back to the OHL, his relationship with Drew Doughty, what it's like being mentioned in NHL trade chatter and breaking a 25-year-old Colts' franchise record.Then, Seattle Kraken prospect Jacob Melanson tells us about going to a contender in Sherbrooke, why he's had so much success and what the Phœnix need to do in order to have a long playoff run.

This week I chat with one of the top goals scorers from the QMJHL and one from the OHL.First, Memorial Cup champion Josh Lawrence tell us about his incredible start to his career in Halifax, how weird it was to trade in the Saint John blue for Halifax green and what the Mooseheads have to do in the final 15.Then, Nashville Predators prospect Nolan Burke tells us about signing in ELC, how exciting it was to see his GM pulling off so many big deals and the buzz around Sarnia as the team gets rolling.

This week I talk to the OHL's leading scorer and then we check in with a recently returned Arizona Coyotes forward.First New York Islanders prospect Matt Maggio tells us how the Spitfires have proved the doubters, including me, wrong this year and what adding guys like Brett Harrison and Shane Wright do for the room.Then Seattle Thunderbirds forward Dylan Guenther shares what it's like being back in the WHL, going to a team with so many familiar faces and the similarities between this club and his WHL championship winning Oil Kings from last year.

This week we check in with trade deadline additions from the OHL leading Ottawa 67's and the Memorial Cup hosts, Kamloops Blazers.First, reigning OHL playoff MVP Logan Morrison tells us what it was like moving from the Bulldogs to the 67's and how he can use his Memorial Cup experience to help his new club.Then Anaheim Ducks prospect Olen Zellweger fills us in on the opportunity to play closer to home and how the Blazers are preparing for their Memorial Cup run.

This week we check in with the 8th ranked North Bay Battalion and the 10th ranked Gatineau Olympiques.First, Montreal Canadiens prospect Riley Kidney talks about moving from Bathurst to Gatineau and how we're only just starting to see the real Olympiques. Then, Seattle Kraken prospect, Ty Nelson tells us what makes the Battalion so scary this year and the belief they have within their dressing room.

Today we have a special Top Prospects edition of the show. In this episode I chat with three members of the upcoming Kubota Top Prospects game, on January 25th, Andrew Cristall from the Kelowna Rockets, Cam Allen from the Guelph Storm and Tyler Peddle from the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Enjoy!

IceDogs owner and GM Darren DeDobbelaer checks in to explain why Niagara wants to host the Memorial Cup in 2024 and what you could expect from the Niagara region.

As we head in to the final weekend before the holiday break we check in on two of the hottest teams in the CHL, the London Knights and Saskatoon Blades. First, reigning OHL goaltender of the year Brett Brochu tells us about chasing Knights history while taking on more of a mentorship role this season and then Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Brandon Lisowsky shares why the Blades have been so successful and what it's like to be a part of the Leafs' family.

Kingston Frontenacs GM Kory Cooper stops by to tell us why the Kingston Frontenacs decided the time was right to bid for the right to host the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Kia.

This week we chat with Montreal Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy about the different feeling in Sherbrooke this year, how he has to continue to evolve as a player and getting a chance for another gold at World Juniors. Then Anaheim Ducks prospect Nathan Gaucher tells us what it's like to be playing for the best team in the CHL right now, how their sights are firmly set on a Q championship and sending 4 Remparts to Team Canada's selection camp.

In this week's episode super rookie from the Saginaw Spirit Michael Misa stops in to talk about his incredible start to his OHL career, the run the Spirit are on, handling all of the pressure and if he's surprised himself with his play. Then veteran play-by-play voice, host of the OHL hot stove and OHL priority selection, Terry Doyle joins me to talk about Michael Misa, the OHL teams in the Kia CHL TopX and the Memorial Cup presented by Kia.

President and Managing Partner of the Saginaw Spirit, stops by to talk about why the time is right for club to become the first American city since Spokane in 1998 to host the Memorial Cup presented by Kia.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Matt Savoie and Arizona Coyotes prospect Conor Geekie from the Winnipeg ICE stop by to talk about everything from taking the next step as a team, scoring hat-tricks, lacrosse goals and who's the most likely to get a hair endorsement.

GM of the Greyhounds, Kyle Raftis, checks in to talk about why the Soo wants to bid for the right to host the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Kia.

Fresh off a stint in the ECHL, Luke Prokop stops by to tells us what it's like to play for the team he beat for a championship, plus QMJHL leading scorer Jordan Dumais fills us in on his incredible run to start the season.

Connor Bedard stops by to talk about the Top Prospects, his favourite team to play against and what he's working on to become even better. Dante De Caria the voice of the Regina Pats also pays us a visit to tell us what it's like to call Connor Bedard and how he made his start.

TSN's director of scouting Craig Button stops by to talk about the Kubota Top Prospects game, including Connor Bedard and the coaches. We also chat about the new number one team in the nation the Québec Remparts, the undefeated Red Deer Rebels, the exceptional start to Michael Misa's OHL career and what to do with Shane Wright.

Columbus Blue Jackets prospect James Malatesta from the Quebec Remparts, Dallas Stars prospect Logan Stankoven from the Memorial Cup hosting Kamloops Blazers and Nashville Predators prospect Jack Matier from the Ottawa 67's all stop by to talk about their seasons.

Editor-in-Chief of The Hockey News, Ryan Kennedy is our first guest and we talk about everything from the current CHL season including who's hot in the CHL Top-10, Connor Bedard, Michael Misa, and much more.