A Giants defenceman from Maple Ridge is one of 18 Western Hockey League players selected to compete in the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January.
Colton Roberts was one of four Giants on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary Players to Watch List released in October.
Roberts scored twice in his last two games, once during a Dec. 16 9-2 loss to Prince George, and again Dec 17, a 3-1 victory over Seattle the next night.
The right-shot defenceman was given a ‘B’ rating, which indicates players projected to be second or third-round candidates at the 2024 NHL Draft.
The Canadian Hockey League announced the list of invitees on Tuesday, Dec 19.
Selected by the NHL’s 32 clubs, the 40 chosen players from across the WHL, Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) will compete before hundreds of NHL scouts in an effort to improve their draft stock ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
“The Giants congratulate Colton for being selected to partake in the 2024 Kubota Top Prospects Game,” team GM Barclay Parneta said. “Colton is extremely focused on getting better each and every day. We look forward to his continued growth in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants.”
In 33 games so far this season, the 17-year-old Roberts has recorded seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points, including 11 power play points. Those 18 points are tied for the most amongst U18 draft-eligible defencemen in the WHL, along with Everett Silvertips defenceman Tarin Smith. Roberts was originally selected by the Giants with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
READ ALSO: Giants defenceman Colton Roberts named to Canada U17 team roster
The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 28th edition of this showcase and it will represent the first time that the event has taken place in the province of New Brunswick.
The 40 players will be assigned to either Team Red or Team White in the new year, while captains and alternates for both squads will also be announced in January. Of the 40 CHL players to compete at the 2023 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Langley, B.C., 37 went on to be selected in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Previous Giants named to the Top Prospects Game include: Jaden Lipinski (2023) Sam Honzek (2023, but was unable to participate due to injury), Justin Sourdif (2020), Bowen Byram (2019), Milos Roman (2018, unable to participate due to injury), Tyler Benson (2016) and Ty Ronning (2016).
READ ALSO: Young Giant invited to train, play in national arena
The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game airs live on TSN, TSN.ca, the TSN app, and RDS on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 4:30 p.m.
