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U18s Travel to Cedar Rapids and Chicago; U17s Host Sioux Falls for Star Wars Night

By USAHockeyNTDP.com, 01/18/18, 10:30AM EST

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Both teams face-off in USHL action this weekend

USA Hockey National Team Development Program Notebook

Photo by Rena Laverty

NTDP Notebook Week of Jan. 16-23

USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program enters play this weekend with a 41-19-0-3-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL-T) record after the U18s split its series against Sioux City (SOL, 5-4, Jan. 12) and (W, 9-2, Jan. 13) at USA Hockey Arena and the U17s swept Central Illinois (W, 6-5, Jan. 12) and (W, 4-2, Jan. 13). During Monday’s matinee games, the U17s defeated Muskegon (W, 8-5, Jan. 15) at USA Hockey Arena, and the U18s defeated Youngstown (W, 7-1, Jan. 15) on the road.

The U18s are on the road this weekend as they travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to face-off against the RoughRiders on Friday night (Jan. 19) at 9:05 p.m. ET. The following night (Saturday, Jan. 20), the U18s take on the Chicago Steel at 8:05 p.m. ET at Fox Valley Ice Arena. The U17s host the Sioux Falls Stampede on Saturday night (Jan. 20) at USA Hockey Arena at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Overall Record: U18: 17-12-0-3 | U17: 24-7-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL)


Team USA USHL Record: 17-9-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) with 35 PTS in 27 GP, 1st place in the Eastern Conference

U18s Matchups

Friday, Jan. 19 Under-18 Team @ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Puck Drop: 8:05 p.m. ET

Live Stream (HockeyTV.com; Paid)

Live Stats

Tickets

Saturday, Jan. 20 Under-18 Team @ Chicago Steel

Puck Drop: 8:05 p.m. ET

Live Stream (HockeyTV.com; Paid)

Live Stats

Tickets

U17s Matchup

Saturday, Jan. 20 Under-17 Team vs. Sioux Falls Stampede

Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. ET

Live Stream (HockeyTV.com; Paid)

Live Stats

USAHockeyNTDP.com/Tix

Matchup Previews

LASSOING THE ROUGHRIDERS: The U18s travel to face the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for the third and final time this season. So far, the NTDP and the RoughRiders have split the games with the NTDP winning the first, 3-2, and the RoughRiders taking the second, 4-3. Cedar Rapids enters the game with a record of 12-11-5-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) and sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

In the last meeting, the RoughRiders took a 4-3 victory against the 2017 U.S. National Under-17 Team as Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) scored twice and Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) scored once for the U17s.  

NTDP alum, Graham Slaggert (2015-17) is currently third in points for the RoughRiders. He scored a goal in the RoughRiders loss to Team USA earlier this season.

RoughRiders Top Scorers: Marek Valach (13-12-25 in 28 GP), Nathan Smith (5-13-18 in 23 GP), Graham Slaggert (6-10-16 in 24 GP)

RoughRiders Plus-Minus Leaders: Josh Bohlin (+10), Will Zmolek (+4), Nicholas Granowicz (+4)

RoughRiders Goaltenders: Blake Pietila (8-3-2-1 in 15 GP, 2.90 GAA, .899 SV%), Jiri Patera (4-8-3-0 in 15 GP, 3.58 GAA, .893 SV%)

2017-18 Results/Schedule vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: October 27, 2017, U18s vs. Cedar Rapids (W, 3-2); October 28, 2017, U17s vs. Cedar Rapids (L, 4-3).

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: 14-23-2 (W-L-OTL) Home: 10-10-0 Road: 4-13-2

WEAKENING THE STEEL: The U18s will take on the Chicago Steel in its third meeting this season out of six scheduled games. Team USA and the Steel have split their first two games with Team USA winning 10-5 on Oct. 7 and the Steel taking home a 6-2 victory on Nov. 17. Chicago is 15-11-1-2 (W-L-OTL-SOL) with 33 points in 29 GP in the USHL entering the weekend, sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference.

In the last matchup, the U17s fell, 6-2, against the Steel at USA Hockey Arena. Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.) and Alex Turcotte (Island Lake, Ill.) recorded goals in the loss.

Steel Top Scorers: Jack Dugan (16-18-34 in 25 GP), Blake McLaughlin (14-18-32 in 25 GP), Baker Shore (14-18-24 in 29 GP)

Steel Plus-Minus Leaders: Derek Daschke (+7), Blake McLaughlin (+3), Jordan Seyfert (+3)

Steel Goaltenders: Oskar Autio (13-8-1-0 in 23 GP, 2.56 GAA, .918 SV%), Justin Robbins (2-3-0-2 in 8 GP, 4.63 GAA, .857 SV%)

2017-18 Schedule/Results vs. Steel: October 7, 2017, U17s vs. Steel (W, 10-5); November 17, 2017, U17s vs. Steel (L, 6-2).

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Steel: 26-21-7-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) Home: 15-10-3 Road: 11-11-4

HALTING THE STAMPEDE: The U17s host the Stampede on Saturday night. This meeting will be the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Stampede are 15-10-4-2 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in USHL play this season, and currently fifth in the Western Conference.

In the last meeting, the NTDP traveled to Sioux Falls where they fell, 6-3. Danny Weight (Lattingtown, N.Y.), Ryder Rolston (Birmingham, Mich.), and Alex Turcotte (Island Lake, Ill.) tallied goals in the loss.

Stampede Top Scorers: Nolan Walker (12-12-24 in 26 GP), Adam Dawe (13-8-21 in 27 GP), Khristian Acosta (6-15-21 in 28 GP)

Stampede Plus-Minus Leaders: Mitchell Mattson (+13), Antti Virtanen (+6), Matt Quercia (+4)

Stampede Goaltenders: Mikhail Berdin (10-5-2-1 in 20 GP, 2.76 GAA, .924 SV%), Jaxson Stauber (5-5-2-1 in 14 GP, 3.14 GAA, .899 SV%)

2017-18 Results/Schedule vs. Sioux Falls Stampede: November 24, 2017, U17s vs. Sioux Falls (L, 6-3).

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Sioux Falls Stampede: 11-8-0 (W-L-OTL) Home: 7-3-0 Road: 4-5-0

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Notes

LAST TIME OUT: The U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to the Sioux City Musketeers on Friday night (Jan. 12), 5-4 in the shootout in the first game of a two-game series at USA Hockey Arena. Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale, Ariz.) scored twice, Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) and Gavin Hain (Grand Rapids, Minn.) scored once for Team USA in the loss.

The U18s bounced back on the second night (Jan. 13) to take a victory, 9-2. Eight different players scored to help Team USA to victory. The U18s were led by Jake Wise (Reading, Mass.) with a four-point night (1-3-4), Jonathan Gruden (Rochester, Mich.) and  Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) with three-point nights, each tallying a goal and two assists, and a two-goal outing from Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.). Trevor Janicke (Maple Grove, Minn.), Gavin Hain (Grand Rapids, Minn.), Jake Pivonka (Naperville, Ill.), and Jack DeBoer (Madison, N.J.) also scored.

During Monday’s matinee game (Jan. 15), the U18s visited the Youngstown Phantoms where they won, 7-1. Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) and Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) scored twice, and Jake Pivonka (Naperville, Ill.), Ty Emberson (Eau Claire, Wis.), and Jack DeBoer (Madison, N.J.) each scored once. Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) recorded five assists in the game.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team traveled to Central Illinois for a two-game series where they swept the Flying Aces. On Friday (Jan. 12), the U17s won 6-5 against the Aces. Ryder Rolston (Birmingham, Mich.) and Case McCarthy (Clarence Center, N.Y.) scored twice in the victory. Rolston also added an assist for a three-point night. Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) and Danny Weight (Lattingtown, N.Y.) also scored.

On Saturday (Jan. 13), the U17s defeated the Flying Aces, 4-2. Team USA had goals from Owen Lindmark (Naperville, Ill.), Marshall Warren (Laurel Hollow, N.Y.), Ryder Rolston (Birmingham, Mich.), and Judd Caulfield (Grand Forks, N.D.).

The U17s hosted the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Monday (Jan. 15) in a matinee game. They defeated the Lumberjacks, 8-5. Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) tallied a hat trick to lead Team USA to the win. Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.), John Beecher (Elmira, N.Y.), Michael Gildon (Plano, Texas), Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) and Ryder Rolston (Birmingham, Mich.) all tallied a goal to help get the U17s the win.

STAR WARS COMING TO USA HOCKEY ARENA: The NTDP will host its annual Star Wars Night on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018. The game, which is sponsored locally by Hines Park Lincoln, will pit the U.S. National Under-17 Team against the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League.

For the fifth time, Team USA will wear Star Wars inspired jerseys during this event. Previous designs include Han Solo (2015), the iconic Stormtrooper (2016) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens hero robot BB-8 (2017). This season’s look will feature a reboot on a previous fan-favorite jersey. A full jersey unveiling will be announced in the coming weeks.

The jerseys will be auctioned off online at the NHL Auctions page. Bidding will commence following the game. Proceeds will benefit C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since the auction’s inception, it has raised over $40,000 for the hospital.

Among the festivities planned for Star Wars Night are appearances by characters represented by the 501st Legion & Rebel Legion costuming groups, as well as a ceremonial puck drop. The Under-17 Team will wear the specially designed jerseys throughout the game. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. For more information and for tickets please visit USAHockeyNTDP.com/Tix.

2018 UNDER-18 FIVE NATIONS TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE: The 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament presented by Hines Park Lincoln will take place February 13-17 at USA Hockey Arena.

Top hockey players under the age of 18 from the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States will compete in a total of 10 games at USA Hockey Arena. This is one of the most heavily NHL scouted events as a majority of the players competing are eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit USAHockeyNTDP.com/20185NationsTix or call the USA Hockey Arena box office at 734.453.8400.

CAUFIELD NEARING NTDP ALL-TIME RECORD BOOK: U.S National Under-17 Team forward Cole Caufield scored his first regular season hat trick, and third of the year, this past week. With the three goals, he is now two goals away from the NTDP’s all-time single-season goals top ten list. Once Caufield hits goal 38 he will join the ranks of alumni Matthew Tkachuk (2013-15/Calgary Flames), Jack Eichel (2012-14/Buffalo Sabres), Peter Mueller (2003-05/ EC Salzburg), and James van Riemsdyk (2005-07/Toronto Maple Leafs) who all had 38 goals in a single season. At the top of the list is Auston Matthews (2013-15/Toronto Maples Leafs) with 55 goals.

TEAM USA OFF TO BEST START SINCE JOINING THE USHL: With a record of 17-9-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in 27 games played, Team USA is enjoying its best start since joining the USHL. Team USA is tied with Green Bay at 35 points, but leads the Eastern Conference in victories (19) and a higher win percentage (.648).

HUGHES TALLIES FIVE POINTS VS. YOUNGSTOWN: While playing Youngstown on Jan. 15, 2018, Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) tallied five assists in the 7-1 win with the U18s. The last time an NTDP player had a five-point game was March, 4 2017 when Joel Farabee put up three goals and two assists against Waterloo. Hughes is now five assists shy of breaking into the top-ten for single season assist totals.

TEAM USA ALUMNI NOMINATED FOR 2018 HOBEY BAKER AWARD: Seven NTDP alumni are among the first 74  college hockey players to be nominated for 2018 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to nation’s top collegiate ice hockey player. NTDP alumni include: Joey Anderson (2014-16/University of Minnesota Duluth), Louie Belpedio (2012-14/Miami University), Casey Fitzgerald (2013-15/Boston College), Trent Frederic (2014-16/University of Wisconsin), Troy Terry (2014-15/University of Denver), Ryan Wagner (2013-14/University of Wisconsin) and Joseph Woll (2014-16/Boston College).

The top-10 players from the fan vote will be announced at a later date. When voting for the Hobey Baker Award, fans are asked to keep in mind the qualities that a nominee must display: exhibit strength and character, both on and off the ice; contribute to the integrity of the team; display outstanding skills in all phases of the game; show scholastic achievement and sportsmanship. 17 different USHL teams have alumni represented, including 13 teams with multiple players. The winner will be announced during the Frozen Four on Friday, April 6. Fans can see the full list of nominees and vote for their top-10 finalists here.

NTDP IN THE NHL POSTER SERIES: Team USA will feature several of its high-profile alumni in its new NTDP in the NHL poster series giveaway. There will be seven nights throughout the rest of the NTDP home schedule where fans can win Pepsi and Team USA prizes, collect an NTDP alumni poster, and have the chance to win a signed jersey. The first 500 fans at each of the games will receive a NTDP in the NHL alumni poster.

The next game of the series will be Friday, Jan. 26 when the Under-17 Team takes on the Dubuque Fighting Saints at 7 p.m. ET. The night will feature 2017 Calder Trophy winner, Auston Matthews (2013-15/Toronto Maples Leafs).

Other dates include:

Feb. 3, U17s vs. Lincoln Stars - Ryan Kesler (2000-02/Anaheim Ducks)

Feb. 13, U18s vs. Central Illinois Flying Aces - Patrick Eaves (2000-02/Anaheim Ducks)

Mar. 3, U17s vs. Omaha Lancers - Phil Kessel (2002-04/Pittsburgh Penguins)

Mar. 16, U17s vs. Madison Capitols - Zach Werenski (2013-14/Columbus Blue Jackets)

Mar. 30, U18s vs Youngstown - Cam Fowler (2007-09/Anaheim Ducks)

KESSEL HITS MILESTONE: Pittsburgh Penguins forward and NTDP alum Phil Kessel (2003-05) tallied his 700th career point with a game-winning goal against the Rangers on Jan. 14. Kessel became the twenty-seventh American to reach this milestone. Kessel joins NTDP alum Patrick Kane (2004-06) as the only other active American player to reach the milestone. Kane is the points leader among active Americans in the NHL with 797 points in 785 games. Kessel was also named the third star of the week after tallying two goals and three assists in two games played.

NTDP ALUMNI LEAD MICHIGAN TO MARIUCCI/RENFREW TROPHY: NTDP alumni led the University of Michigan to the Mariucci/Renfrew Trophy over the No. 9 ranked University of Minnesota with two road victories. It was Michigan’s first road sweep against the Gophers since 1976-77.

Of the eight goals Michigan scored over the two games, NTDP alumni had a hand in all but one of them.

During the first game on Jan. 12, Brendan Warren (2013-15) lead the Wolverines to a 5-3 victory with two goals. Michael Pastujov (2015-17) tallied a goal, Nick Pastujov (2014-16) added two assists, and Quinn Hughes (2015-17) registered an assist.

The next night (Jan. 13) Josh Norris (2015-17) scored the game-winning goal and tallied an assist to claim the Mariucci/Renfrew Trophy for Michigan in a 3-1 victory. Warren scored another goal and Nicholas Boka (2013-15) and Hughes picked up assists. Hughes’ assist gave him a three-game point streak.

NEW ISS HOCKEY NHL DRAFT RANKINGS: ISS Hockey released its new NHL Entry Draft rankings. The list is the first one out after the completion of the World Junior Championship, where the U.S. took home the bronze medal. NTDP alumni and current Boston Terrier, Brady Tkachuk (2015-17) leads all alums at the No. 2 spot.

Current Under-18 Team forward Oliver Wahlstrom is next on the list at No. 5 followed by alum, Quinn Hughes at No. 7.

Bode Wilde and Joel Farabee, who are currently with the Under-18 Team, are also on the list at No. 13 and No. 14 respectively.

NTDP ALL-STAR ALUMNI:  The NHL announced the rosters yesterday for its 2018 NHL All-Star Game that will be held in Tampa Bay on Jan. 27-28.

Jack Eichel (2012-14) of the Buffalo Sabres will skate in his first All-Star Game alongside Auston Matthews (2013-15/Toronto Maple Leafs) for the Atlantic Division Team.

Noah Hanifin (2013-14/ Carolina Hurricanes) will skate in his first All-Star game with fellow NTDP alumni Seth Jones (2010-12/ Columbus Blue Jackets) for the Metropolitan Division squad.

Patrick Kane (2004-06/ Chicago Blackhawks) is also heading to Tampa for his seventh All-Star game appearance as the lone alumni on the Central Division team.

NTDP ALUMNI SHINE IN NHL ROOKIE SEASONS: Clayton Keller (2014-16/Arizona Coyotes) is in third place among rookies in points with 34 and fourth in goals among rookies with 14. Keller was named NHL Rookie of the Month for October after posting 9 goals and 15 points in 13 games.

Will Butcher (2011-13/New Jersey Devils) is second among rookies in assists with 24 and second among rookie defensemen in points with 26.

Charlie McAvoy (2013-15/Boston Bruins) is third in points among rookie defenseman with 24. He is averaging almost 23 minutes per game as part of Boston’s top defensive pairing; his 22:50 minutes four minutes higher than the next rookie.

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 4-7-0 (W-L-T) against collegiate opponents. Take a look at the latest USA Hockey/USA Today Men's College Hockey poll.

 

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