LAST TIME OUT: The U.S. National Under-18 Team won the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament this past week. They began the tournament with a win (5-1) against Sweden. The following night, they fell against the Czech Republic (L, 6-2)and on Friday (Feb. 16), they rebounded with a comeback victory against Russia (W, 5-4). On Saturday (Feb.18) the U18s defeated Finland (W, 4-0) to win the championship.
Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) finished the tournament with eight points, tying him in first with Russia’s Andrei Svechnikov (4-4-8), and led the tournament in assists with six. Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) was tied for second in points with seven. Bode Wilde (Birmingham, Mich.) led all defensemen in points with six. Drew DeRidder (Fenton, Mich.) was one of only two goaltenders to record a shutout during the tournament; he saved all 33 shots in the championship game against Finland.
The U17s traveled to Finland to compete in the 2018 Under-17 Five Nations tournament where they swept their competition. They won their first game against Russia (5-4). After a day off, the U17s beat Sweden (10-2) and followed it up the next day with a victory against Finland (3-1). On the final day of the tournament, the U17s defeated the Czech Republic (8-3). In total, they outscored their opponents 26-10.
Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) lead the tournament with 10 (4-6-10) points. Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.) was tied for second in points in the tournament with nine (2-7-9). Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) was tied for the lead in goals with 5 for the tournament.
PUCKS AND PUPS WEEKEND: USA Hockey’s National Team Development Team and USA Hockey Arena will partner with the Humane Society of Huron Valley to host its inaugural Pucks & Pups Weekend this Friday and Saturday (Feb. 23-24) when the U.S. National Under-18 and Under-17 Teams take on the Central Illinois Flying Aces of the United States Hockey League.
Friday night will feature dogs available for adoption located on the concourse.. In addition, the first 500 fans will also receive a limited-edition USA Hockey dog bowl.
Saturday night will feature the NTDP’s inaugural Dinky Dog Derby. Dogs under 15 pounds can enter the on-ice intermission race. You can register your Dinky Dog here.
Proceeds from various activities throughout the weekend will be shared with the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
All weekend you can donate clean towels and blankets to be donated to HSHV for a chance to win prizes from Kroger and Orin Jewelers. There will also be giveaways from local pet businesses throughout the weekend.
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 Friday, Feb. 23 as the Under-18 Team takes on the Central Illinois Flying Aces where Patrick Eaves (2000-02/Anaheim Ducks) will be featured.
Other dates include:
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)
CAUFIELD MOVING UP NTDP ALL-TIME RECORD BOOK: U.S National Under-17 Team forward Cole Caufield scored four goals at the 2018 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament this past week in Finland. With the goals, Caufield is now in sole possession of seventh place on the all-time single season goals list with 44. He’s already 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). At the top of the list is Auston Matthews (2013-15/Toronto Maples Leafs) with 55 goals.
JACK HUGHES CRACKS TOP TEN FOR NTDP SINGLE SEASON RECORDS: U.S National Under-18 Team forward Jack Hughes has recorded 54 assists so far this season placing him in seventh place on the NTDP all-time single-season assist list. He has already surpassed Jack Roslovic (2014-15/Winnipeg Jets), 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 24-11-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in 36 games played, Team USA is enjoying its best start since joining the USHL. Team USA is tied for first in the Eastern Conference with 49 points with the Youngstown Phantoms but have six games in hand.
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 OLYMPICS: The U.S. Men fell to the Czech Republic, 3-2 Tuesday (Feb. 20) night in a shootout to be eliminated from the 2018 Olympics. The NTDP had 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).
At the time of the elimination, Terry was second on Team USA in points with five and in sixth overall in assists during the tournament.
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.
For the AHL All-Star Game on January 29, six NTDP alumni participated in the festivities. 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 ALUMNI SHINE IN NHL ROOKIE SEASONS: Clayton Keller (2014-16/Arizona Coyotes) is in fourth place among rookies in points with 44. He is fifth in goals with 17 and tied for third in assists with 27. 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 28 and is second in points among rookie defensemen with 30.
Charlie McAvoy (2013-15/Boston Bruins) is third in points among rookie defenseman with 27. He has the highest plus/minus among rookie defenseman with plus-23 and second overall among rookie skaters. He is averaging over 22 minutes per game as part of Boston’s top defensive pairing; his 22:30 minutes per game are more than a minute and a half more than the next player.