Tuesday, August 06, 2024

Five-star forward Caleb Malhotra commits for 2026; Watchorn named to Hockey Canada post


BU received its third blue-chip 2008 birth year commitment when Canadian standout center Caleb Malhotra made it official that he's a Terrier recruit. The 6'1" left-shot center is the son of Manny Malhotra, a veteran of 16 NHL seasons, including stints with the Rangers, Columbus, Dallas and Vancouver.

He joins forward Tynan Lawrence and defenseman Luke Schairer in the 2026 recruit class.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia and raised there, Caleb spent the past three seasons with the Vaughn Kings organization in Ontario. Last season with the Kings' 16U AAA team, he had a 23-25-48 line in 48 games and added a dozen more points in as many playoff games, helping lead the Kings to the GTHL championship and an OHL Cup Silver Medal.

This past spring Malhotra was drafted #8 overall in the OHL draft by Kingston, but elected to play next season in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs, whose general manager said:

“We’re extremely excited to add Caleb and his family to our organization. Not only is Caleb a young, high-end talent, but he and his family certainly align with our culture here in Chilliwack.” Already standing at  6’1 “. 

Malhotra has become known for his speed, hockey IQ, and ability to make plays one-on-one.

After eight seasons as an NHL assistant coach with Vancouver and Toronto, Manny will be head coach for the Canucks’ AHL team in Abbotsford, B.C., not too far from Chilliwack.

 OHL Draft Profile

 

Puck Preps ranked Malhotra as its #4 Canadian skater for NCAA recruiting and its #15 2008 birthdate overall. Lawrence is Puck Preps' #2 ranked Canadian skater. Both received 5-star ratings.  Puck Preps scout Jordan Malette wrote:

After missing a good part of the season, Caleb Malhotra has been the star of the second half of the season. He's emerged as the primary play driver on the Vaughn Kings, which I would never have guessed if you asked me at the outset of the year. The selling point is his elite play-making, always finding ways to create and exploit passing lanes, but there is no shortage of finishing touch and physical tools to get excited about in his game.
NeutralZone gave Malhotra 4.5 stars and ranked him as the #3 NCAA eligible '08 recruit. 
Given the Hockey Canada relationship with BCHL Malhotra wasn’t allowed at the Canada U17s but he’s one of the top 10 forwards in the country at this birth year who can impact a game in a variety of ways with his rare combination of power and skill, his competitiveness and complete, 200ft game. 

There are several BU connections for the Malhotra family.

Caleb's mother, Joann, a star soccer player at the University of Victoria,is the younger sister of NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash, considered the greatest basketball player Canada has produced. Nash, who became head coach of the Golden State Warriors, also is Macklin Celebrini’s godfather.

And during Manny's tenure with the Maple Leafs, he worked with assistant GM Brandon Pridham, whose son Jack Pridham, is a 2025 recruit who returns to the BCHL with West Kelowna.

 

 

Elite Prospects Page

● ChilliwackChiefs.net Malhotra signs with Chiefs

The Hockey News Top OHL Prospect Signs with Boston University

● Puck Preps scouting report

World Junior Summer Showcase

Four Terriers skated for Team USA in this recently concluded tournament in Plymouth, Mich., -- defensemen Cole Hutson and Gavin McCarthy and forwards Cole Eiserman and Brandon Svoboda. Kamil Bednarek was unable to participate and Tom Willander was unable to play for Sweden due to a minor injury. 

                              Brandon Svoboda (@brandonsvoboda_ ...

Svoboda, a San Jose third-round draft pick, led the U.S. with five points (G,4A). Hutson had a goal and an assist and Eiserman had one goal.

Post-tournament, FloHockey's Chris Peters posted assessments of Team USA's goalies and defensemen and forwards. While the final roster will be determined in December, Peters also projected a roster based on the WJSS results, with Eiserman, Hutson and Svoboda all making the cut.

Women's Team


1 comment:

Barbara Nimmo said...
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