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U18s Travel East; U17s Host the Green Bay Gamblers

By USAHockeyNTDP.com, 10/19/17, 1:15PM EDT

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USA Hockey National Team Development Program Notebook

Photo by Rena Laverty

NTDP Notebook Week of Oct. 16-22

USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program enters play this weekend with a record of 11-3-0-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL-T) after the U18s split its games last weekend and the U17s added two victories. The U18s continue its NCAA slate this weekend on the road in Hanover, New Hampshire against Dartmouth College on Friday (Oct. 20) at 7 p.m. ET at Thompson Arena. Following Friday’s game, the U18s will travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts to take on #3 Harvard University on Saturday (Oct. 21) at 7 p.m. ET at Bright-Landry Hockey Center. The Under-17 team will host the Green Bay Gamblers in a two-game series at USA Hockey Arena on Saturday (Oct. 21) at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday (Oct. 22) at 2 p.m. ET.

U18s Matchups

Friday, Oct. 20 Under-18 Team @ Dartmouth College

Puck Drop: 7 p.m. ET

Live Stats

Tickets

Saturday, Oct. 21 Under-18 Team @ #3 Harvard University

Puck Drop: 7 p.m. ET

Stream: ivyleaguenetwork.com

Live Stats

Tickets

U17s Matchup

Saturday, Oct. 21 Under-17 Team vs. Green Bay Gamblers

Puck Drop: 7 p.m. ET

Stream: HockeyTV.com

Live Stats

USAHockeyNTDP.com/Tix

Sunday, Oct. 22 Under-17 Team vs. Green Bay Gamblers

Puck Drop: 2 p.m. ET

Stream: HockeyTV.com

Live Stats

USAHockeyNTDP.com/Tix

Matchup Previews

SCOUTING DARTMOUTH: The U18s travel to Hanover, New Hampshire to face Dartmouth College. The U18s enter the contest with a 5-3-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) overall record and a 0-3-0 (W-L-T) NCAA record. The NTDP holds a 1-2-0 all-time record against the Big Green. The NTDP lost meetings in 2002-03 and 2004-05 seasons while taking a 5-4 victory in the most recent matchup on Oct. 17, 2015 at Thompson Arena. Kieffer Bellows (2015-16/Portland Winterhawks) and Clayton Keller (2014-16/Arizona Coyotes) each recorded two goals and two assists for a game total of four points. Defenseman, Adam Fox (2014-16/Harvard University) added three assists.

The Big Green is led by head coach, Bob Gaudet. Gaudet is entering his 21st season as coach of Dartmouth College where he played and graduated from in 1981. During the last 20 seasons, Coach Gaudet has posted an all-time record of 382-434-102 (W-L-T) placing him 15th for all-time wins as a college coach.

The Big Green is coming into the season with 22 returning players consisting of six seniors, five juniors, and eleven sophomores. They enter the matchup against the U18s holding a record of 1-0-0 (W-L-T) on the season after earning its first victory against the University of Windsor, 2-1 on Oct. 8, 2017. During the 2016-17 season, the Big Green had a record of 6-7-2 at home. Key returners for the Big Green are Corey Kalk, who posted 23 points (11-12-23) in 27 games, and sophomore Will Graber, who posted 19 points (5-14-19) in his freshmen campaign. Kevin Toor led the blue line with a +6 rating last season. Returning between the pipes for his senior season is Devin Buffalo, who posted a 9-16-3 (W-L-T) record in 29 games along with a 3.29 goals-against-average and a .895 save-percentage last season.

For the U18s, Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) leads the team in goals (9) and points (13). Bode Wilde (Birmingham, Mich.) is right behind him with 10 points (2-8-10) in eight games. The U18s have 10 players with five or more points in eight games. Goaltenders Drew DeRidder (Fenton, Mich.) and Jonathan Mor (Highland Park, Ill.) have been between the pipes for the U18s. DeRidder has posted a 3-2-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) record with a 2.59 goals-against-average and a .917 save-percentage in six games this season. Mor has posted a 2-1-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) record with a 4.02 goals-against-average and a .886 save-percentage. DeRidder is coming off his first shutout victory with the NTDP after blanking the Muskegon Lumberjacks and saving all 34 shots faced.

#3 HARVARD ON THE CLOCK: The U18s enter Saturday's matchup at Harvard in what will be their home opener before they start their regular season against Dartmouth College. Harvard has entered the year ranked #3 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll. The Crimson represent the second ranked opponent that the U18s have faced this season after falling on the road to #6 Notre Dame, 4-3 on Oct. 1.

The Crimson are led by head coach, Ted Donato who is entering his 14th season with his alma mater, and has posted a 204-186-48 (W-L-T) overall record at Harvard University. With 13 seasons in the books, Donato has four 20-win seasons, five NCAA tournament berths, one Frozen Four appearance, six league titles, eight All-Americans, and 11 former players currently in the NHL.

During the 2016-17 season, the Crimson impressed by recording an overall record of 28-6-2 (W-L-T) and winning the Beanpot, Ivy League, ECAC regular season and championship title while capping the season off by competing in the Frozen Four tournament. Harvard has 23 returning players who were on the Frozen Four tournament roster last season. The Crimson come into the season with a balanced roster of seven seniors, seven juniors, nine sophomores and eight freshmen. Players to watch on the Crimson include senior goaltender, Merrick Madsen, who posted a 28-6-2 record between the pipes while earning a 2.11 goals-against-average and a .806 save-percentage last season, junior forward Ryan Donato, who recorded 40 points in 36 games (21-19-40) with a plus 19 plus-minus rating and sophomore, and NTDP alum, Adam Fox (2014-16) (2014-16) who recorded 40 points in 36 games (6-34-40) with a +19 plus-minus rating. Fox also earned All-American honors along with ECAC Hockey and Ivy League Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

The U18s and Crimson have squared off five times since the 2001-02 season. Harvard took the first two matchups on Jan. 26, 2002 (5-2) and Oct. 30, 2004 game (7-4). The U18s took the matchups on Dec. 9, 2007, 4-3, and Nov. 1, 2008 matchup, 4-0. In the most recent matchup, Harvard took a 5-2 victory over the U.S. National Under-18 Team on October 8, 2016. Goals for the NTDP came from Randy Hernandez (2015-17/Sioux City Musketeers) and Nate Knoepke (2015-17/ University of Minnesota). The U.S. National Under-18 Team trails Harvard in the overall series 2-3-0.

DEALING WITH THE GAMBLERS: The U.S. National Under-17 team hosts the Green Bay Gamblers for a two game series at USA Hockey Arena on Oct. 21-22. The U17s enter the series with a 6-0-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) overall record and a 2-0-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) USHL record. Green Bay leads the all-time series 19-16-2. Last season, the series ended 2-2-0. The NTDP is 10-9-0 against Green Bay at home. The most recent game was on March 4, 2017 when the Gamblers took a 5-0 victory at Resch Center over the U17s. The Gamblers have won the Clark Cup four times and the Anderson Cup five times during the franchise’s 23-year history. Their last time winning the Clark and Anderson Cup was during the 2011-12 season. Green Bay finished the 2016-17 season with a record of 34-22-2-2 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in 60 games. The Gamblers are returning nine players from last season’s roster. Goaltender, Maksim Zhukov returns for the Gamblers between the pipes after posting a 19-8-1-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) record in the 2016-17 season along with a 2.25 goals-against-average and a .913 save-percentage. Zhukov is off to a 2-0-1-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) start this season in four games recording a 1.99 goals-against-average and a .924 save-percentage. Key forwards returning are Matt Jennings who posted 25 points (11-14-25) in 60 games, Josh Dunne who posted 18 points (10-8-18) in 55 games last season and Brock Caufield who posted 17 points (7-10-17) in 57 games last season.

The U17s have started the season undefeated thanks to offensive efforts by Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.), who is currently leading the team in goals (8) and points (11) and Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.), who has nine points (2-7-9) in 6 games. Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) and Judd Caulfield (Grand Forks, N.D.) follow Caufield and Hughes with with four goals, four assists and eight points each. Alex Vlasic (Wilmette, Ill.) has posted three goals and five assists for a total of eight points in six games. Sean Farrell (Hopkinton, Mass.) wraps up the eight-point crew with one goal and seven assists in six games. The U17 Team has 10 players with seven points or more in six games. Goaltenders Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.) and Cameron Rowe (Wilmette, Ill.) have split time between the pipes so far this season. Knight has a 3.02 goals-against-average and a .878 save-percentage on the season. Rowe has posted a 3.27 goals-against-average and a .851 save-percentage.

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Notes

NTDP-HARVARD UNIVERSITY CONNECTION: Prior to the 2017-18 season, the NTDP had sent 16 players to Harvard University, including Sean Malone (2012-13/Buffalo Sabres) who recently signed with the Buffalo Sabres. Malone played for the Crimson last season recording 42 points in 36 games (18-24-42) with a plus 24 plus-minus rating. Defenseman, Adam Fox (2014-16/Harvard University) had an impressive freshman year, recording 40 points in 36 games (6-34-40) with a +19 rating. Fox also earned All-American honors along with ECAC Hockey and Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors. The NTDP has four current players verbally committed to Harvard University. U18 commit Wahlstrom will get to face his future teammates this weekend while U17s committed to Harvard University include: Henry Thrun (Southborough, Mass.), Marshall Warren (Laurel Hollow, N.Y.) and Sean Farrell (Hopkinton, Mass.).

One player went to Dartmouth from the NTDP, Kevin Swallows (2002-04/Head Coach, University of New England)

FAMILY REUNION: It’s a Caufield family reunion as Cole and Brock Caufield square off against each other this weekend as the U.S. National Under-17 Team faces off against the Green Bay Gamblers. Cole will be wearing the red, white and blue representing the U.S. National Under-17 Team as Brock will be wearing the black and yellow of the Green Bay Gamblers. Cole currently sits as team leader in points (11) and goals (8) for the U17s with 11 points (8-3-11). Brock recorded 17 points (7-10-17) in 57 games last season for the Gamblers. Father, Paul, played for the Madison Capitols during the 1986-87 season posting 82 points (35-47-82) in 48 games. Paul went on to play at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point before playing in the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) for the Roanoke Valley Rampage.

HAT TRICKING: The NTDP has netted two hat tricks in the past two weeks. Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) registered a hat trick during Saturday night’s 7-0 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Michael Gildon (Plano, Texas) recorded a hat trick in his first USHL contest, Oct. 7, earning his first USHL Forward of the Week honor.

USHL FORWARD OF THE WEEK: For the second straight week, the NTDP has a player taking the USHL Forward of the Week honors. Wahlstrom earned USHL Forward of the Week after collecting a hat trick in the U18s 7-0 victory over Muskegon on Saturday night. Last week, Gildon recorded a hat trick in his first USHL contest against defending Clark Cup Champion, Chicago Steel fueling the U.S. National Under-17 Team to a 10-5 victory on Oct. 7.

Full Story: Wahlstrom: http://bit.ly/2zf5ywr

Gildon: http://bit.ly/2gt2mX5

LAST WEEK’S ROUNDUP: The U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to Miami University in its home opener on Friday night (Oct.13), 7-5. Jack DeBoer (Madison, N.J) led the U18’s goal scoring, netting two goals in the contest while, Jonathan Gruden (Rochester, Mich.) and Jake Pivonka (Naperville, Ill.) each netted a goal of their own.

Both the U18s and U17s loaded the stat sheet with goals during its games on Saturday (Oct.14). The U17s started off Saturday morning with a 5-1 victory against Team Southwest of the Minnesota Elite League. Fueling the U17s was Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) with two goals followed by goals from Ryder Rolston (Birmingham, Mich.), Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) and Henry Thrun (Southborough, Mass.). The U18s opened its USHL slate against Muskegon with a 7-0 victory led by USHL Forward of the Week, Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) netting a hat-trick while teammate Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) recorded two goals of his own. Pivonka added a goal and assist along with Connor Caponi (Brookfield, Wis.) adding another goal to the stat sheet. Drew DeRidder (Fenton, Mich.) stopped all 34 shots faced for his first NTDP shutout.

The U17s wrapped up the weekend earning a 6-5 victory in overtime over the Minnesota Elite League Select Team to remain undefeated on the season. The scoring started with Alex Vlasic (Wilmette, Ill.) and continued from John Beecher (Elmira, N.Y.), Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) and Alex Turcotte (Island Lake, Ill.). Judd Caulfield (Grand Forks, N.D.) tied the game in the third period and would later net the game-winner in overtime from with help from Turcotte.

PLAYER FEATURE: Skating with Grandpa Helped Propel Gildon’s Love of Hockey. Full Story: bit.ly/2ghOQFp

U18S NCAA SCHEDULE: The U.S. National Under-18 Team will skate in 15 NCAA games this season, including 11 tilts with Division I squads. The U18s record sits at 0-3-0 (W-L-T) against collegiate opponents. The U18s fell to Miami University, 7-5 in its home opener last weekend on Friday (Oct. 13). The U18s head east this weekend to take on Dartmouth College (Friday, Oct. 20) and #3 Harvard University (Saturday, Oct. 21). Take a look at the latest USA Hockey/USA Today Men's College Hockey poll.

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