Six Michigan names invited to CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

By @MichaelCaples –

The Canadian Hockey League has announced the players invited to participate in their annual CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, and six Michigan names have made the list.

Michigan natives Alex DeBrincat (Farmington Hills), Max Jones (Rochester), Jack Kopacka (Lapeer) and Sean Day (Rochester) have been invited to skate in the game designed to showcase top NHL Draft-eligible players.

Saginaw Spirit defenseman Markus Niemelainen and Flint Firebirds forward Will Bitten have also been invited.

This year’s CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will take place on Jan. 28 in Vancouver.

The Canadian Hockey League is made up of the Ontario Hockey League, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. Players from all three leagues are invited to participate in a game split into ‘Team Cherry’ and ‘Team Orr’ – nods to hockey legends Don Cherry and Bobby Orr.

DeBrincat and Jones both frequent the first round in mock drafts from various publications and scouts.

DeBrincat, a second-year forward with the Erie Otters, ranks fifth in the OHL in scoring with 33 goals and 23 assists for 56 points in 30 games. Jones, meanwhile, has 17 goals and 16 assists in 33 games – his first OHL campaign.

Kopacka has registered eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 38 games with the Soo Greyhounds.

Day, a defenseman who holds duel citizenship and has skated for Team Canada in international tournaments, has three goals and 10 assists in 29 games with the Mississauga Steelheads.