CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game nearing

Daniel St. Louis/CHL

MONCTON - Eriks Mateiko and the rest of the players taking part in this year's CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game were on the Avenir Centre ice on Tuesday.

The event participants went through off- and on-ice testing along with a practice ahead of Wednesday's game. Mateiko finished with the fourth best time in the "30m forward skate with puck" drill, according to the CHL's results.

Mateiko in action.

Every time I filmed he hit a flag so I’d like to apologize for that. https://t.co/b9pXrebwnK pic.twitter.com/gIUlN2TZE4

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) January 23, 2024

The Top Prospects Game isn't a make-or-break event for this year's NHL Draft class, but a strong performance can certainly get you some more attention down the stretch.

"I know there will be people watching from Latvia and it's really exciting."

The @SJSeaDogs' Eriks Mateiko is excited to represent his native 🇱🇻 at the 2024 #CHLKTP. pic.twitter.com/bEDaizShNJ

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 22, 2024

Tomas Lavoie and Eriks Mateiko comment following the first day of practice before the #CHLKTP. 🎥 @CBEHockey | @SJSeaDogs pic.twitter.com/jjLFt2C6NR

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) January 23, 2024

"In his second season in the QMJHL after playing in Latvia, Mateiko is a big 6’5" winger with a good all-around game and scoring touch," writes NHL Central Scouting, via the CHL. "He plays in all situations for Saint John; kills penalties and does well using his long reach and anticipation. Getting more time on the power play where he is a dual threat as a net front player and as a shooter. Smart getting to the openings and has a quality shot release which he can let go in stride. Skating stride is strong and delivers good speed, capable to pull away with the puck. Mateiko displays good puck skills and vision with his hockey sense to execute under pressure. The type of offensive player who can excel down low protecting the puck and playing an effective cycle game."

This year's CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game takes place at 7:30 p.m. in Moncton and can be seen on TSN.

A few other news and notes...

• Mateiko was an honourable mention in Bob McKenzie's mid-season draft rankings.
• A couple interesting notes on Mateiko from the game's media guide: he lists Joshua Roy as his most difficult opponent and Chicoutimi as his favourite road arena. 
• Former Sea Dogs head coach (and Hall of Famer) Gerard Gallant, who will be honourary coach Wednesday, was on the ice for part of the day. Mike Kelly will be the other honourary coach.
• Rimouski Oceanic forward Alexandre Blais was added to the event roster on Tuesday, replacing the injured Max Curran of the Tri-City Americans.
• Still kind of wild that there were three injury replacements and none of them were Justin Poirier of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, who leads the QMJHL in goals this season.
• Members of the Sea Dogs and Moncton Wildcats watched a filming of "Beyond Their Years: The Incredible Legacies of Herb Carnegie and Buck O'Neil" earlier in the day.

.@SJSeaDogs and @monctonwildcats players joined Tantramar Regional High School students to watch the movie "Beyond Their Years: The Incredible Legacies of Herb Carnegie and Buck O'Neil".
A great way to promote diversity and inclusion for all! 🤝@CarnegieInit | #QForEveryone pic.twitter.com/JGTubVBQwk

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) January 23, 2024