The 2024 CHL Top Prospects Game has come to an end. As we return to the OHL regular season, here are some things to take away from this event.
The 2024 CHL Top Prospects Game has concluded in Moncton, New Brunswick. Now, we return back to the OHL regular season, but what can we takeaway from this event as a whole?
Going back to the on-ice testing, Guelph Storm forward Jett Luchanko led the way ranking first overall. Luchanko proved not only his physical fitness, but his compete and work ethic in these tests. Among so many highly-talented and highly-fit players, Luchanko was able to separate himself from the pack.
Now, does this help his draft stock? Probably not.
Similar to the NHL Combine, these events can definitely help give more insight into a player, but a player's value shouldn't be determined solely off of an event like this. If it comes down to the wire for teams between Luchanko and another player, this is when Luchanko might take the edge because he is more physically-fit than the other player.
Also in the on-ice testing, Sam Dickinson came second overall, and Beckett Sennecke came fourth. For two players as tall as Dickinson and Sennecke to do so well in these tests, speaks a lot to today's game.
Sennecke's skating hasn't been a concern this season, but it surely hasn't been a strength. For him to do so well in these tests, and perform as well as he did in the game, I think he has boosted the outlook on his skating.
Between Dickinson's results in the testing and his performance in the game, he has established himself once again as one of the best defenders in this entire draft class. His passing vision and poise with the puck is admirable, and he possesses a flawless stride for a 6-foot-3 blueliner. He didn't exactly stand out and dominate, but he was quietly effective every time he was on the ice.
Zayne Parekh did about the same. He took the same risks offensively in this game as he does in Saginaw, and this just speaks to his confidence. Parekh knows his game and he played to his strengths. Even though he was surrounded by other skilled offensive defencemen, Parekh continued to play his game as if he were the number one guy.
Between the pipes, Leenders and George were both sensational. Leenders gets the edge in this game with 19 saves and some acrobatic ones too. His team could have been losing 4-0 by the time he left the net, but he was able to keep it down to one goal.
Elsewhere, Lukas Fischer stood out with his physical edge, Ben Danford & Liam Greentree were able to find the mesh, and Cole Beaudoin was dangerous in the offensive zone.
The CHL Top Prospects Game is always a fun event for the top draft-eligible players in the CHL. Now, it is time to return back to the OHL regular season and prepare for the playoffs in the coming months.