The CHL prides itself on producing more draft eligible talent every year than any other circuit, and Wheat Kings defenseman Gio Pantelas has been singled out as one of the best prospects among that draft eligible talent.
Pantelas was one of just seven defenseman from around Canada to be named to Team CHL for their two games against the United States National Team Development Program at the second iteration of the annual Prospects Challenge. He joins three other WHLers on the back end.
“It’s an honour,” Pantelas said. “I can’t wait to go play. I’m going to be playing with and against some really high level talent. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The accolades just keep piling up for Pantelas, and all signs point to him being chosen early in the 2026 NHL draft. He represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer, and just last week was given a B rating on NHL Central Scouting’s opening list of the 2025-26 season.
“Gio is a guy that’s in a tough age group to crack on the back end, and he continues to be recognized as one of those upper-tier defensemen for his age group,” said Wheat Kings head coach and GM Marty Murray. “That’s huge for him, and it’s a big thing for us as an organization too.”
Thanks to his time at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and World Under-17 Challenge, both of which he came home from with medals, Pantelas already knows several of his teammates very well. Just among blueliners, he, Daxon Rudolph, Carson Carels, and Ryan Lin were all part of Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky.
“I can’t wait, not only getting to see all those guys again but getting to know all the new ones, the late-born guys who are going to be joining us,” said Pantelas. “That’ll be amazing.”
Yet for all the success he’s enjoyed, making high end teams seems to come as a bit of a surprise to Pantelas even now. He had said he was surprised to be invited to camp for the Hlinka Gretzky, and it stems from a day-to-day approach to the game that clearly serves him well.
“I don’t like to be expecting to be making any teams,” he explained. “I just feel that if I show myself at my best out there, teams will come.”
“He’s as humble and salt-of-the-earth type of guy as you can find,” Murray said. “He doesn’t let anything really rattle him too much. Sometimes I think he could probably grit his teeth in certain situations a little more, but he’s loved by our staff and our players, the guys love him around the locker room. He’s an easy going guy but when the game starts, he’s always ready to play.”
The Prospects Challenge, which replaced the top prospects game in 2024, will feature a game in Calgary on November 25 and another in Lethbridge on November 26. Between now and then, Pantelas and the Wheat Kings will travel to Regina to face the Pats tomorrow. Puck drop will be 8:00 Central Time.
