OLYMPIC CELEBRATION WITH THE NTDP: The U17s will face-off against the Lincoln Stars on Friday, February 2. During the game there will be various Olympic activities to celebrate the upcoming Olympic games.
The NTDP has five alumni on the 2018 USA Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team, Jordan Greenway (2013-15/Boston University), Chad Kolarik (2002-04/Adler Mannheim), Ryan Stoa (2003-05/Spartak Moskva), Brandon Maxwell (2007-09/BK Mlada Boleslav), and Troy Terry (2014-15/University of Denver).
NTDP ALUM, RYAN WAGNER, EARNS BIG TEN SECOND STAR OF THE WEEK: Ryan Wagner (2013-14/University of Wisconsin), earned his second career weekly award and first of the season after leading the Big Ten with four points this weekend. He recorded one unassisted short-handed goal and three assists helping the Badgers go 1-0-1-1 against Penn State.
OETTINGER NAMED HOCKEY EAST'S GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH: Jake Oettinger (2014-16/Boston University) was named Hockey East's Goaltender of the Month for January. The Lakeville, Minnesota native had a 5-1-1 record for the month. He recorded a 1.98 goals-against-average and a .926 save percentage in his seven games.
NTDP ALL-STARS: Five NTDP alumni participated in the NHL All-Star Game on January 28. Auston Matthews (2013-15/Toronto Maples Leafs) and Jack Eichel (2012-14/Buffalo Sabres) represented the Atlantic and both assisted on each other’s goals in the Atlantic’s 7-4 victory over the Metropolitan Division. Patrick Kane (2004-06/Chicago Blackhawks) represented the Central, while Zach Werenski (2013-14/Columbus Blue Jackets) and Noah Hanifin (2013-14/ Carolina Hurricanes) represented the Metropolitan.
Six NTDP alumni participated in the AHL All-Star Game on January 29. Austin Czarnik (2008-10/Providence Bruins) played for the Atlantic, Reid Boucher (2009-11/Utica Comets) and Thatcher Demko (2011-13/Utica Comets) played for the North, Luke Kunin (2013-15/Iowa Wild) and Jack Roslovic (2013-15/Manitoba Moose) played for the Central, and Rocco Grimaldi (2009-11/San Antonio Rampage) played for the Pacific.
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 this Saturday, Feb., 3 when the Under-17 Team takes on the Lincoln Stars at 7 p.m. ET. The night will feature 2010 Olympic silver medal-winner, Ryan Kesler (2000-02/Anaheim Ducks).
Other dates include:
Feb. 23, 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, U18s vs. Madison Capitols - Zach Werenski (2013-14/Columbus Blue Jackets)
Mar. 30, U18s vs Youngstown - Cam Fowler (2007-09/Anaheim Ducks)
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 MOVING UP NTDP ALL-TIME RECORD BOOK: U.S National Under-17 Team forward Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) scored his second hat trick in four games this past weekend. With the goals, he moved into eighth place on the all-time single-season goals list with 40 goals so far. He passed notable NTDP alumni Matthew Tkachuk (2013-15/Calgary Flames), Jack Eichel (2012-14/Buffalo Sabres), 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. Caufield is currently scoring at a faster pace than Matthews, recording 40 goals in 34 games compared to Matthews’ 55 goals in 60 games, and has the chance to best his record.
JACK HUGHES CRACKS TOP TEN FOR NTDP SINGLE SEASON RECORDS: U.S National Under-18 Team forward Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) has recorded 49 assists so far this season placing him in a tie for tenth on the NTDP all-time single-season assist list. He is currently tied with Jack Eichel (2012-14/Buffalo Sabres) and one away from the likes of former NHL player Andy Hilbert (1998-99/New York Islanders) and Patrick Kane (2005-06/Chicago Blackhawks). At the top of the list is Clayton Keller (2015-16/Arizona Coyotes) with 70 assists.
TEAM USA OFF TO BEST START SINCE JOINING THE USHL: With a record of 22-9-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in 32 games played, Team USA is enjoying its best start since joining the USHL. Team USA leads the Eastern Conference with 45 points. They have a six point lead over the Chicago Steel who are second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points in 34 games played.
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 ALUMNI SHINE IN NHL ROOKIE SEASONS: Clayton Keller (2014-16/Arizona Coyotes) is in third place among rookies in points with 36. 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 27 and is first in points among rookie defensemen with 29.
Charlie McAvoy (2013-15/Boston Bruins) is third in points among rookie defenseman with 25. He is averaging almost 23 minutes per game as part of Boston’s top defensive pairing; his 22:48 minutes per game are more than four minutes higher than the next rookie.