Wyatt Cullen had a goal and an assist as the U.S. National Team Development Program’s under-18 team upset Team CHL 4-2 in the opening game of the second annual CHL USA Prospects Challenge on Tuesday in Calgary.
The two-game series serves as a showcase of players mostly eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. The CHL swept the series last year.
While the CHL squad (made up of players from several countries) has far more first-round prospects, the Americans were more than up to the challenge at the Saddledome despite sitting second-last in the USHL standings.
Cullen, the son of former NHLer Matt Cullen, forced a Chase Reid turnover that led to the opening goal of the game for Dayne Beuker. Cullen is a University of Minnesota commit.
Reid, an American-born defenceman for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, bounced back with the CHL’s first goal in the second period on a pass from Brantford Bulldogs forward Caleb Malhotra.
Sammy Nelson, a 2027-eligible player, scored the other goal for the Americans.
Cullen gave the Americans a 3-1 lead in the third with a shot from the point on the power play.
Mathis Preston, a Spokane Chiefs forward, cut the CHL’s deficit to 3-2 in the third.
The native of Penticton, B.C., hit the post later in the period, before Jamie Glance scored an empty-netter for the Americans.
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Lethbridge, Alta.
