Skip to content

Smoke Eater forward selected for 'Top Prospect' match

Trail Smoke Eaters forward Kale Howarth was selected to compete in the CJHL's Top Prospects Game next month in Burlington.
5947traildailytimesKale_Howarth
The Trail Smoke Eaters Kale Howarth is on the NHL Central Scouting 'players to watch' list and was selected to play in the Top Prospects game in Burlington

Trail Smoke Eaters forward Kale Howarth has been tagged as one of the top prospects in the Canadian Junior Hockey League with an invite to the CJHL Prospects Game.

On Monday, NHL Central Scouting (NHLCS) named Howarth to its “Players to Watch” list, one of 20 from the CJHL, with the invite to play for Team West in the annual prospects game coming the following day.

“We congratulate each of the players on their selection to compete in the 2017 CJHL Prospects Game in Cornwall and commend NHL Central Scouting for their contributions in helping formalize the Team East and Team West rosters,” offered CJHL President Brent Ladds in a release.

Howarth has had a remarkable season for the Smoke Eaters and currently sits in ninth place in league scoring with 21 goals and 43 points in 33 games. The six-foot-five Red Deer native joined the Smoke Eaters as a walk-on last year, and has emerged as one of their top-line players after netting 12 goals and 27 points in his first season.

Each of the players chosen to participate in the CJHL Prospects Game was selected through the efforts of NHL Central Scouting and are currently among the top 40 CJHL prospects heading into the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago.

“We are confident this group of young men will provide all those in attendance, including the multitude of scouts and Junior A hockey fans alike, a tremendous showcase of CJHL talent from right across the country,” added Ladds.

Joining Howarth from the BCHL are goalie Ty Taylor from the Vernon Vipers, Cory Babichuk (D) Surrey Eagles, Griffin Mendel (D) Penticton Vees, Desi Burgart (F) Surrey Eagles, Parm Dhaliwal (F) West Kelowna, Marcus Mitchell (F) Salmon Arm, Michael Regush (F) Merritt, Jamie Rome (F) Victoria Grizzlies, and Tyler Ward (F) Merritt.

The two team rosters were put together by NHL Central Scouting, headed up by its Director, Dan Marr.

“The CJHL Prospects Game is a tremendous opportunity for these players to showcase their ability and represent their teams, leagues and communities on a national stage,” said Marr.

The CJHL Prospects Game between Team East and Team West will be held on Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Cornwall, Ont.

Meanwhile, the Trail Smoke Eaters return to the ice tonight with a home-and-home beginning in West Kelowna against the Warriors, and in Trail on Friday at 7:30 p.m.



Jim Bailey

About the Author: Jim Bailey

Read more