The CHL/USA Hockey Prospects Challenge has ended with Team CHL sweeping the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in the two game tournament.
While the QMJHL only boasted two representatives at the tournament for the CHL squad, both of Moncton's Caleb Desnoyers and Blainville's Justin Carbonneau showed themselves well at the event.
Caleb Desnoyers arguably had the better tournament of the two.
While he wasn't particularly flashy, he played a big role on the squad as he centered a line with first overall hopefuls Porter Martone and Michael Misa.
Game 1, Desnoyers looked like he was just settling in. He played a much more lowkey game, focusing on the little things and playing a responsible game.
He, and the rest of team CHL for that matter, played a pretty physically imposing tournament, an intriguing side of his game that hasn't shown itself that much this season.
However, it was in the Game 2 where Desnoyers really showed the hockey world what he was made of.
In the second period, Desnoyers would follow that goal up with a shot assist to Michael Misa who would re-direct the puck in the net for the lead.
The two-point night would lead to his announcement as Team CHL's player of the game.
What stood out most from Desnoyers' play at the showcase was his commitment to the three-zone game and the effort he brings in doing so. That's exactly the kind of attributes that are very rare in high-end NHL prospects and should have teams salivating over.
Before the start of this tournament, Desnoyers was mostly on the outside of the Top-10, but now he could very well have entered that conversation for many scouts.
Justin Carbonneau had a solid tournament as well, given his fourth line role on the squad.
As expected, Carbonneau was active whenever he touched the ice, using his footspeed either to forecheck hard or to help carry the puck into Team USA's zone.
One thing of note at the tournament was Carbonneau's ability to draw penalties, as the NTDP players struggled to catch up to him.
He picked up a secondary assists on Kashawn Aitcheson's delayed goal in Game 1.
He would match his totals in Game 2, picking up an assist of a high danger chance that bounced to Cole Reschny who would circle back and score the game winner for Team CHL.
Ahead of the tournament, Carbonneau was ranked all across the first round. From within the Top 10 to teetering close to the second round.
While statistically he had a strong tournament, scoring at a point-per-game pace, his diminshed role, number of turnovers and lack of dynamism at the tournament likely means that his draft stock won't rise much.
However, Carbonneau proved himself to be an effective weapon on offense and in transition and has likely re-assured his spot as a middle first round pick.
For coverage on the tournament itself, be sure to check out the following articles:
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