LAST TIME OUT: The U18s were the only team in action last weekend and split their pair of games. On Friday (Nov. 15), the U18s defeated the Des Moines Buccaneers, 4-2. Brett Berard, Thomas Bordeleau, Tanner Latsch, and Matthew Beniers netted goals in the win.

On Saturday (Nov. 16), the U18s fell to Youngstown on the road, 6-3. Bordeleau, Beniers and Chase Yoder scored for Team USA.

The U17s had the weekend off after returning from the U17 World Challenge, where they finished in second place.

SMILANIC COMMITS: U18s forward Ty Smilanic (Denver, Colo.) announced his commitment to play college hockey at Quinnipiac University. Smilanic will be the third NTDP  alum to suit up for the Bobcats after defensemen Connor Clifton (2012-13) and Joe Fiala (2009-11) spent their college careers in Hamden, Conn.

SIGNING DAY: The Under-18 Team saw 11 players sign their National Letter of Intent to play NCAA Division I hockey at various colleges on Wednesday (Nov. 13). Boston University led the way with three commits in Drew Commesso, Dylan Peterson and Luke Tuch. Forwards Brett Berard and Chase Yoder committed to Providence College. Defensemen Tyler Kleven and Jake Sanderson are off to the University of North Dakota after their NTDP careers. Connor Kelley (Minnesota-Duluth), Daniel Laatsch (Wisconsin), Eamon Powell (Boston College) and Landon Slaggert (Notre Dame) also signed.

After the first National Signing Day, the NTDP had two additional players sign their letters. Jacob Truscott (Port Huron, Mich.) and Thomas Bordeleau (Houston, Texas) signed to play at the University of Michigan last Thursday (Nov. 14).

CENTRAL SCOUTING: NHL Central Scouting released its updated player rankings for the 2020 NHL Draft. NTDP U18 forward Luke Tuch (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) was one of five players upgraded to an A rating. Teammates Brett Berard (East Greenwich, R.I.) and Chase Yoder (Fairview, Texas) also improved their ratings to B-ranked skaters. Overall, 18 NTDP players are listed in the rankings.

WE'VE GOT THE POWER: The Under-18 Team has scored a power-play goal in each of its last seven games played. Matthew Beniers (Hingham, Mass.) leads the team with three PPG over that span and four goals overall with the man advantage this season.

BIG STAR: NTDP alum Evan Barratt (Penn State; NTDP 2015-17) was named the Big Ten’s Third Star of the Week for this past week. He led the Big Ten with five points over two games as Penn State swept Minnesota on the road. 

HOCKEY EAST ROOKIE: Spencer Knight (Boston College; NTDP 2017-19) was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Week. Knight picked up two wins at Vermont, stopping 61 of 62 shots in two games and registered his third shutout in 11 starts. 

PLAYER FEATURE: Luke Tuch Hopes First International Title Leads to More. Read the full feature on USAHockeyNTDP.com