Cristall, McKenna and Rehkopf Highlight Hot Starts from Around the CHL

Plenty of players are hot out of the gate in the CHL. 

The WHL and QMJHL have been underway for almost a month now with the OHL approaching that mark soon as well. From drafted veterans to young draft eligibles – and even a player not eligible until the 2026 NHL draft – there are standout performers from all over the CHL.

To kick off the launch of The Hockey News' new OHL, QMJHL and WHL sites, featuring news and analysis dedicated to each league, here are six CHL players whose starts to 2023-24 are worth a closer look. Plus, there's some breaking news on Dalibor Dvorsky.

The Seattle Kraken drafted Rehkopf in the second round this past June because of his raw tools and physical traits, and he has put it all together this season. He was the OHL player of the week after back-to-back four-point performances over the weekend, bringing his point total to 13 points in just seven games.

He's always been a lethal shooter, but Rehkopf has improved his ability as a true playmaker, showing better vision and precise passing to start this season. With this newfound playmaking prowess, Rehkopf can take his goal-scoring ability to the next level as well, as opponents will be forced to respect his passing.

Rehkopf was a sneaky pick to be the OHL scoring leader before the season, and he’s done nothing but prove that can be the case. He currently sits one point behind teammate Adrian Misaljevic and 2024 NHL draft prospect Luke Misa for the OHL lead of 14 points. Rehkopf dictates play when he's on the ice, a welcome change from last year when he was very much a passenger.

There may not be a netminder in junior hockey playing better than Ryerson Leenders. His .952 save percentage through six games is stellar. The Mississauga goalie has won all six of his starts, posting two shutouts already in the early season. The 17-year-old Leenders has been calm, cool, and collected for Mississauga, leading them to the best record in the OHL.

When the Steelheads drafted Jack Ivankovic seventh overall, questions arose about whether Leenders’ future in Mississauga would be up for debate despite an impressive 16-year-old season of his own. While the 16-year-old Ivankovic certainly comes with a high pedigree, Leenders has asserted himself as the surefire starter. Leenders understands there is internal competition with Ivankovic in the fold, but he hasn’t let it affect him negatively in any way.

The Steelheads are running with the youngest goalie tandem in the OHL, and they’ve been impressive to start the season. In an NHL draft year without surefire top goalie prospects, Leenders is doing his best to make a case for himself in that conversation as well.

After an impressive training camp with the Washington Capitals, Cristall has picked up right where he left off in the WHL. With 14 points in just seven games, he already entered the top 10 in league scoring despite most players having a three-game head start. 

Cristall’s blend of creativity and skill have allowed him to become one of the most lethal dual-threat scorers in all of junior hockey at just 18 years old.

Cristall’s mobility was the sole reason the WHL’s sixth-highest scorer from last season fell into the second round at the 2023 NHL draft. This season, the Capitals’ 40th overall pick is looking to secure the league’s scoring title when the season ends, and his two-point per-game pace since his return should get him into the conversation – and he’s just getting warmed up.

Although he doesn’t turn 16 until Dec. 20, McKenna is already tied for seventh in WHL scoring with 14 points. After running through the Canada Winter Games last year, the hype around McKenna began to grow, but it still would have been at least a bit surprising to see him step into the WHL and become an impact player immediately.

McKenna has used his shiftiness and insane puck skill to dangle his way through the WHL. The 15-year-old has a cerebral nature to his game, constantly looking to exploit opposing defender’s mistakes. His quick hands and feet work in cohesion, giving him the ability to weave through traffic and gash opposing teams. He possesses a wicked shot as well, which makes him one of the most dangerous players on the ice at all times.

Where he finishes the year in the scoring race will be interesting. He currently leads the Medicine Hat Tigers in scoring and has been their most lethal offensive threat at 5-on-5 and the power play already. McKenna will be a name we hear quite a lot over the next few years.

Despite playing in just five games so far this season, Maveric Lamoureux already has eight points. That is good for sixth in points-per-game among all players in the league. 

The 6-foot-7 defender will miss the next two games as he is suspended for kneeing an opponent this past weekend. Although it's a bump in the road, Lamoureux’s start has him poised for a massive season in the QMJHL, as long as he remains healthy.

The Arizona Coyotes first-round pick from 2022 needed a good start like this – he didn’t start last season on time after hurting his shoulder in Coyotes’ training camp. The hot start offensively is exactly what was needed as he remains a very good transition defender, using his length to shut down the opposing team’s rush with ease and always looking to make a difference once he corrals the puck on his stick. Lamoureux’s co-ordination has looked much cleaner, and he doesn’t look to be fumbling around as much. If he can continue his hot start after the suspension, he could be challenging for a roster spot with Arizona next summer.

He started the season with a minor upper-body injury, but since returning to the Halifax Mooseheads lineup, Cataford has been fantastic. 

The tenacious and high-energy forward is a nuisance on the forecheck, understanding how to take the proper lanes to the puck and using all of his tools to the best of their abilities. His ability to read the play makes up for a bit of a lack of foot speed, but with some physical maturity over the summer, he’s looking a step quicker already.

Cataford has 13 points in eight games, tied for sixth in the QMJHL. Cataford's a catalyst for offensive success with Halifax early in the season. His willingness to play in any role and help elevate the level of play of his teammates is evident. The Golden Knights 2023 third-round pick is setting himself up for success early in the season.

After a lackluster start to the season in the SHL, the St. Louis Blues 10th overall pick, Dalibor Dvorsky is set to join the Sudbury Wolves once they get their import situation figured out. 

Dvorsky is a massive addition for the club as they look to contend for an OHL championship. The 6-foot-1 center is a lethal offensive weapon. His goal-scoring ability will instantly make him one of the Wolves' most dangerous players.

Dvorsky has experience on the wing and at center so he could slot in at either position and his experience against men should make the transition to North America easier as he will be playing junior hockey – a level he has traditionally dominated. Dvorsky will be looking to get his season back on track as the World Junior Championship approaches and he looks to help Slovakia to a deep run in search of a medal after a quarterfinal loss last year. 

The Hockey News launched five new sites on Wednesday, including the CHL's three leagues, college hockey and collectibles. Here's where to find each site:

OHL: TheHockeyNews.com/OHL

QMJHL: TheHockeyNews.com/QMJHL

WHL: TheHockeyNews.com/WHL

NCAA: TheHockeyNews.com/NCAA

Collectibles: TheHockeyNews.com/collectibles