Antoine Belzile & Pierre-Olivier Joseph Selected for CHL Top Prospects Game

The Canadian Hockey League in association with the host Quebec Remparts Hockey Club, and title partner Sherwin-Williams, announced the rosters that will compete in the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City on Monday January 30, 2017.

The players competing in the game were chosen by all 30 NHL clubs and divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting.  This season’s event marks the 22nd annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL Draft eligible players featuring talent from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Western Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance.

“The Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is one of the highlights of the hockey season and a truly special experience for players from across the CHL,” said CHL President David Branch. “Since 1996 this event has annually featured the next wave of NHL talent showcasing their skills before hundreds of NHL scouts and General Managers.  We look forward to January 30 with 40 of the top CHL players eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft competing before the passionate hockey fans in Quebec City and to CHL fans across Canada watching live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.”

Amongst the players selected were defensemen Antoine Belzile of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Pierre-Olivier Joseph of the Charlottetown Islanders. Belzile, a steady 6-foot two-way defenseman, has recorded two points in 14 games with a +3 rating while Joseph, standing 6-foot-1, has recorded 27 points in 31 games played this season to go with a +7 rating. Both players will be playing for Team Cherry.

“The Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game provides a unique opportunity for NHL scouts and General Managers to evaluate top CHL talent for the 2017 NHL Draft in a best-on-best competition,” said NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr. “It’s also a unique opportunity for the players to take advantage of the spotlight in what is consistently an exciting and highly competitive showcase.”

Team Cherry and Team Orr coaching staffs in addition to captains and alternates will be announced at a later date. The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Sources: chl.ca, hockeydb.com

2017-06-24T15:38:56+00:00