R-EIS-ING THE CHARTS: U18 forward Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.) connected for five goals over two games last weekend to vault himself into third place on the all-time goal scoring list at the NTDP. His 87 career goals now only trails Phil Kessel (104) and Cole Caufield (126) in career scores at the program.

The Boston University commit began his weekend by potting three goals in Utica, including the game-winning tally that came early in the opening frame. Eiserman added two more scores in the third period to give him his fourth hat-trick of the season through his first 10 games played.

He continued the torrid scoring pace on Sunday evening, helping the U18s erase a four-goal deficit with a pair of goals, including the game-tying marker with 2:11 to play in regulation.

On the season, Eiserman leads the team with 23 points, 18 goals, 52 shots on goal, 4 power-play scores and a +16 rating.

Over his last eight games, the forward is averaging two goals per game, picking up 16 total scores, including five multi-goal performances.

HEATING UP HUTTY: U18 defender Cole Hutson (Chicago, Ill.) picked up four points in two games last weekend, and now has six points over his last four contests, all NCAA matchups.

Hutson set up Eiserman's first goal Friday night in Utica and then followed that up with a three-assist performance Saturday at Cornell.

After setting the NTDP's all-time single-season scoring record from a defenseman last season with 68 points, Hutson started the 2023-24 schedule with just three points (0g-3a) in his first eight games. He has now recorded multiple points in two of his last four games, and is up to nine points (2g-7a) in 12 games this season. His 77 career points at the NTDP ties him for seventh all-time amongst defensemen with Quinn Hughes; Jack Johnson's 81 career points is next on the list.

KING KEMPF: After posting a career-high 47 saves in the U18s' 8-2 win over Boston University, goaltender Nick Kempf (Chicago, Ill.) followed that up with another fantastic performance in Utica, turning aside 37 of 38 Pioneers attempts.

Over his last two games played, the University of Notre Dame commit has posted a 1.50 GAA and .966 save percentage. On the season, Kempf extended his record to 4-1-0 in six appearances to pair with a 2.72 GAA and .929 SV%.

CAREER DAY: U18 forward Brodie Ziemer (Hutchinson, Minn.) posted a career-high four points in the U18s' 7-1 win over Utica University on Friday night.

Ziemer assisted on the game's first goal from Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.) to put Team USA ahead 1-0 less than five minutes into the contest. He followed that up with the lone goal of the middle frame, this time on the receiving end of a Stiga pass, before finishing for his second score of the season. The future Minnesota Golden Gopher added a pair of primary assists in a 71-second span in the third; the first off an offensive-zone faceoff win followed quickly by a great breakout pass that ended in a Christian Humphreys (Pittsburgh, Pa.) tally to make it a 6-0 game. 

Ziemer is up to 10 points (2g-8a) in 12 games this year, which places him eighth on the squad in scoring. He became the fourth U18 skater to record a four-point game this season, after Eiserman, Stiga and Max Plante (Hermantown, Minn.) all accomplished the feat earlier in the schedule.

SHORTY SEASON: After having his four-game point streak snapped Friday night at USA Hockey Arena, U17 forward Cole McKinney (Lake Forest, Ill.) wasted no time getting back on the scoresheet as he potted the game's opening goal, a shorthanded tally, Saturday night in Muskegon.

McKinney took an Asher Barnett (Wilmette, Ill.) clearing attempt behind the defense and snapped a quick wrister in the top corner over the glove of Paxton Geisel to put Team USA up 1-0.

McKinney's goal was his fifth of the season, which ties him for the Under-17 Team lead with Conrad Fondrk (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and his seven points ranks second on the team. The University of Michigan commit now has six points over his last six games and his three goals in USHL games ranks t-4th among all USHL rookies.

TRETH AND TAXES: U17 defenseman Charlie Trethewey (Woodbine, Md.) has been not only the team's leading scorer from the blue line, but overall points leader through 10 games in the 2023-24 season.

The Little Caesars product posted two assists in two games against Muskegon last weekend, and now has six points, all assists, over his last six games played.

Trethewey's seven assists and nine points both lead the U17s this year, and his 20 shots on goal is one off of Cullen Potter's (Minneapolis, Minn.) team lead of 21.