LAST TIME OUT: The U.S. National Under-18 Team started the weekend off with a win on Friday (Feb. 23) defeating the Central Illinois Flying Aces, 4-1. Jake Wise (Reading, Mass.), Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.), Jonathan Gruden (Rochester, Mich.), and Cam York (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) all netted goals in the win.
The U18s also defeated the Youngstown Phantoms on Sunday (Feb. 25) 4-1 at home. Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) led the U18s, netting two goals and an assist. Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.), and Jonathan Gruden (Rochester, Mich.) also netted goals in the win.
In its lone game of the weekend, the U17s won on Saturday night (Feb. 24), completing the weekend sweep of the Central Illinois Flying Aces, 7-4. Ryder Rolston (Birmingham, Mich.) led the way with two goals. Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Domenick Fensore (Thornwood, N.Y.), Danny Weight (Lattingtown, N.Y.), Patrick Moynihan (Millis, Mass.) and Michael Gildon (Plano, Texas) also each netted a goal in the win.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The offense have flowed for the NTDP this season. The combined Team USA in the USHL currently leads the league in goals with 182 through 39 games. That’s an average of 4.67 goals per game. By comparison, the Chicago Steel have the second ranked offense with 155 goals (27 goal difference) through 44 games which averages out to 3.60 goals per game (over a full goal per game difference). Team USA is on pace to score 280 goals this season, while last season only two teams were able to eclipse the 200 goal mark plateau.
While the Under-18 Team’s goals per game dips due to lower output in collegiate and international games, the Under-17 Team’s goals per game is 5.44 through 41 games this season. The Under-17 Team has already scored 223 goals this season and is on pace to score 288 goals by season’s end.
1+ POINTS PER GAME PLAYERS: A trio of Team USA players are at the top of the USHL rankings in points per game. In his rookie season in the USHL, Jack Hughes is averaging nearly two points per game (1.89) and sits atop the leaderboard with 34 points in 18 games. If you averaged his points to the games played by the league’s top points producer, Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Anthony Del Gaizo (52 in 44 games played), Hughes would have 83 points and would lead Del Gaizo by 31 points.
Oliver Wahlstrom (1.65) and Joel Farabee (1.41) ranks two and three.
Other Team USA players averaging over a point per game include Jake Wise (1.22) Cole Caufield (1.09), Jonathan Gruden (1.06), Alex Turcotte (1.05), which put a total of six players in the top-20 of points per game.
O’BRIEN COMES FULL CIRCLE: Five years after leaving the Ottawa Senators, NTDP Jim O’Brien (2004-06)is back with the Senators after a trade with the Calgary Flames. Full story: http://bit.ly/2F9zWzg
CAMPBELL EARNS FIRST NHL WIN: NTDP alum Jack Campbell (2008/10/Los Angeles Kings) picked up his first NHL win, making 41 saves, on Tuesday (Feb. 27) night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Campbell was called up to the LA Kings and named back-up after the Kings made a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday (Feb. 21). Full story: http://atnhl.com/2t6YmnU
TRANSACTIONAL ODDITY: David Warsofsky (2007/08) was sent down to the Colorado Avalanche’s AHL club, the San Antonio Rampage on Monday (Feb. 26) and then recalled back to the NHL club later that day. The unusual move allows for Warskofsky to stay with the Avalanche now but move back to San Antonio’s roster for the AHL playoffs.
HOCKEY WEEKEND ACROSS AMERICA: The 11th annual Hockey Weekend Across America will be held this weekend, March 2-4. USA Hockey started the weekend in 2008 as an effort to celebrate the game of hockey and introduce it to new audiences as well as celebrate those in the game already. Each day will have a theme including Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey Day on Friday (March 2); Try Hockey Day on Saturday (March 3) and Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day on Sunday (March 4).
HAPPENINGS AT USA HOCKEY ARENA: USA Hockey Arena will host the Michigan high School Athletic Association pre-regional game today (March 1) at 2:15 p.m. The arena will host the MHSAA Semifinals and Finals as well from March 8-10. Visit USAHockeyArena.com for more information.
USA Hockey Arena also host Try Hockey For Free on Saturday (March 3) as part of USA Hockey’s Hockey Weekend Across America. The event will run from 10:30 a.m.- 11:20 a.m. You can visit USAHockeyArena.com for more information.
The arena also hosts open skate on Sundays from 12:30-1:50 p.m.
DEADLINE DEALS: With the NHL trade deadline on February 26, several NTDP alumni were part deadline deals.
J.T. Miller (2009-11) was dealt with Ryan McDonagh from the New York Rangers to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tyler Motte (2011-13) was sent from Columbus to Vancouver in a deal for Thomas Vanek.
Ian Cole (2005-07) was traded from Pittsburgh to Columbus in a three-way deal that also went through the Ottawa Senators.
Ryan Hartman (2010-12) was traded with a pick to Nashville from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Nick Shore (2008-10) was dealt from the Ottawa Senators to the Calgary Flames.
John Rampage (2008-09) was acquired by Nashville from Arizona.
Ryan Lindgren (2014-16) was a part of the Rick Nash deal, sending him from the Bruins to New York.
Frank Vatrano (2010-12) was acquired by the Florida Panthers from the Bruins on February 22.
COLLEGE CHAMPIONS: With the college hockey regular season finishing up, several alumni are on their respective conference championship teams.
Big Ten: Notre Dame: Dylan St. Cyr (2015-17), Joe Wegwerth (2012-14), Dawson Cook (2011-13)
Hockey East: Boston College: Casey Fitzgerald (2013-15), Logan Hutsko (2015-17), Zach Walker (2014-16), Jacob Tortora (2015-17), Graham McPhee (2014-16), Joseph Woll (2014-16)
ECAC: Cornell: Jared Fiegl (2012-14) & Ryan Bliss (2012-14)
WCHA: Minnesota State: Clint Lewis (2011-13)
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, March. 3 as the Under-17 Team takes on the Omaha Lancers where Phil Kessel (2002-04/Pittsburgh Penguins) will be featured.
Other dates include:
Mar. 16, U18s vs. Madison Capitols - Zach Werenski (2013-14/Columbus Blue Jackets)
Mar. 30, U18s vs Youngstown - Cam Fowler (2007-09/Anaheim Ducks)
FIVE NATIONS RECAP: The U.S. National Under-18 Team won the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament two weeks ago. 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.
CAUFIELD MOVING UP NTDP ALL-TIME RECORD BOOK: U.S National Under-17 Team forward Cole Caufield scored one goal this past weekend. With the goal, Caufield is now in sole possession of seventh place on the all-time single season goals list with 45. 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 57 assists so far this season placing him in a tie with Matthew Tkachuk for sixth 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. Hughes also only needs three more points (currently has 79) to crack the top ten single season points list.
TEAM USA OFF TO BEST START SINCE JOINING THE USHL: With a record of 27-11-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in 39 games played, Team USA is enjoying its best start since joining the USHL. Team USA is in sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with 55 points.
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 tied for fourth 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 third among rookies, and first among rookie defensemen, in assists with 28. He is tied for third in points among rookie defensemen with 30.
Charlie McAvoy (2013-15/Boston Bruins) is tied in third in points among rookie defenseman with 30. He is tied for first in plus/minus among rookies with plus-26 and first overall among rookie defensemen. 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.
On February 27, McAvoy, 20, became the youngest Bruins player to score an overtime goal.