GTHL Top Prospects Game Showcases Premier Talent

Top 40 2007-born players take part in 13th Annual GTHL event

The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) hosted the top 40 players in the league at Scotiabank Pond for the 2023 GTHL Top Prospects Game on Tuesday. 

The event is organized to bring together the premier players from around the league for a “best-of-the-best” game against one another. Several GTHL clubs participated, with No. 2 Toronto Marlboros leading the way with 12 selections. The No. 9 Toronto Jr. Canadiens were a close second with nine players selected. The Don Mills Flyers and Vaughan Kings had six and five players selected, respectively. The Toronto Young Nationals and Mississauga Senators each had three players, with No. 20 Mississauga Rebels saw two players rostered.

Invitees were split into two teams, each equipped with star-studded coaching staffs behind the benches. Team Clark-James-Stewart was led by NHL legend Wendel Clark, NWHL veteran and international women’s ice hockey icon Angela James and former NHLer Anthony Stewart. NHL veteran Nik Antropov, current head coach of the U15 Toronto Young Nationals Rane Carnegie and former NHL player and head coach Ted Nolan were the personalities in charge for Team Antropov-Carnegie-Nolan. 

Players from the Marlboros, Young Nationals and Kings comprised Team Antropov-Carnegie-Nolan, with the remaining clubs filling out the roster for Team Clark-James-Stewart. The Marlboros made up a large portion of the defensive and forward units for their team. It was clear to see why, as the Marlboros regular-season team is currently equipped with a plus-190 goal differential. Jaden Nelson, one of the goaltenders for the Marlboros, was selected to man the crease along with Vaughan’s Owen Butler. 

William Moore, also hailing from the Marlboros, was the lone participant in this year’s game who had also played in last year’s showcase. 

Much like the Marlboros, the Jr. Canadiens slotted into most of the forward and defensive positions for their unit. Jack Ivankovic from the Senators and Abel Polan from Don Mills donned the pads. 

Click HERE to see full rosters for the event. 

Antropov-Carnegie-Nolan edges out the victory

Being that the top 2007-born prospects from around the GTHL were in action, the game between both squads was as exciting as it could have been. 

Nico Addy and Shamar Moses got Team Clark-James-Stewart out to a 2-0 lead they would take into the first intermission. In the second period, the chances for both sides continued. Luca Romano took advantage of a misplay by Nelson behind the net to add a third tally. However, the Marlies’ Lev Katzin and Joseph Cadorin would both chip in goals of their own. The Kings’ Ewan McChesney would even the score at 3-3 heading into the third period.

Chase Del Colombo and Moore took over proceedings in the final period. Colombo would add his second point with a goal and Moore would find the back of the net twice. Romano would strike for his second goal of the game as well, but it was not enough as Team Antropov-Carnegie-Nolan secured the 6-4 comeback win. 

Don Mills’ Moses (1G) and Young Nationals’ Del Colombo (1G, 1A) were both named players of the game.

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