DES MOINES BUCCANEERS:  The Under-18 Team kicks off yet another big Team USA hockey weekend as they host Western Conference foe Des Moines Friday evening.

The Buccaneers have yet to win a game this year, but have gone to overtime twice to pick up a pair of points through three games.

Third-year forward Lubomir Kupco leads the Bucs with a pair of goals through three contests, while four other Des Moines forwards have pitched in two points.

In net, Jonathan Reinholdt has appeared in all three games for the Buccaneers, playing to an 0-0-2-0 record, 3.66 GAA and .895 SV%. Ethan Dahlmeir has two apperances with a 5.50 GAA and .852 SV%.

Friday's matchup is the lone game between the U18s and Des Moines this season, the first time since the 2019-20 campaign that the Bucs have skated at USA Hockey Arena.

WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS: On Saturday night, the U18s kick off their 2023-24 Kroger College Series as the Western Michigan Broncos come into town.

The game will be WMU's first and only exhibition skate of the season after they produced an impressive 23-15-1 record last year that included a trip to the 2023 Frozen Four.

The Broncos roster six NHL draft picks in defensemen Carter Berger (FLA) and Samuel Sjolund (DAL) and forwards Alex Bump (PHI), Sam Colangelo (ANA), Matteo Costantini (BUF) and Wyatt Schingoethe (TOR).

The Broncos lineup also features a pair of NTDP alums in goaltender Cameron Rowe (NTDP 2017-19) and forward Joey Cassetti (NTDP 2015-17).

Western has lost its three leading scorers from last season, but returns forward Luke Grainger (12g-20a--32pts) and defenseman Zak Galambos (11g-18a--29pts), who were fourth and fifth in scoring.

Rowe took the bulk of the playing time in 2022-23, starting 37 of 39 games and finished with a 22-14-1-3 record, 2.50 GAA and .906 SV%.

There has only been prior meeting between the NTDP and Western Michigan, a 5-1 Broncos victory all the way back on November 7, 2000, the second-ever NCAA game played by the NTDP.

MINNESOTA ELITE LEAGUE: The Under-17 Team makes its weekend trek to New Hope, Minnesota, to take part in the Minnesota Elite League showcase. The U17s will square up with the Elite League All-Star squad for a pair of games on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

This is the NTDP's first appearance in the event since 2019, where they won both contests, which included a five-goal performance from Chaz Lucius (Grant, Minn. / NTDP 2019-21) and six-point night from Justin Janicke (Maple Grove, MInn. / NTDP 2019-21) in a 17-5 win over MSP Magazine.

The NTDP enters the weekend winners of six straight Elite League contests, though this weekend's battles will be the first against the league's combined all-star talent.