LAST TIME OUT: The NTDP took on the Youngstown Phantoms in a home-and-home with the U.S. National Under-18 Team facing the Phantoms at home on Friday, March 30 and the U17s traveling to take on the Phantoms on Saturday, March 31. The U18s fell 3-2 on Friday night; Team USA goals were scored by Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) and Jonathan Gruden (Rochester, Mich.). On Saturday night, the U17s lost to the Phantoms, 6-1. Their lone goal was scored by Marshall Warren (Laurel Hollow, N.Y.).

COACHES AND ROSTER NAMED FOR IIHF UNDER-18 MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: The rosters and coaching staff for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team that will travel to Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, Russia to compete in the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federations Under-18 Men’s World Championship was released this week.

All 23 players on the roster are current NTDP Under-18 Team players. The coaching staff is led by U18s head coach Seth Appert (Cottage Grove, Minn.) and includes an additional assistant coach, Rand Pecknold, current Quinnipiac University head coach.

Current NTDP U18s forwards Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y.) and Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) are the only two returning players in the tournament. The forward duo helped lead the U.S. to gold in last year’s event in Poprad and Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia.

Full tournament information can be found here.

PLAYOFFS & FIRST ROUND BYE CLINCHED: Team USA clinched its spot in the USHL playoffs following a 10-3 win by the U.S. National Under-18 Team against the Madison Capitols at USA Hockey Arena on March 15. In addition, they clinched a first round bye following the 4-1 record (W-L) weekend against Chicago and Central Illinois.  Team USA is heading to the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season. This marks the third time the combined Team USA will compete in the Clark Cup Playoffs.

Information and tickets for the Team USA playoffs is available at USAHockeyNTDP.com/Playoffs.

DERIDDER STAYS PERFECT ON HISTORIC RUN: U.S. National Under-18 Team goaltender Drew DeRidder (Fenton, Mich.) finished his USHL play with a record of 15-0-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL). He’s the only goaltender in the league with over 2 games played that didn’t recorded a loss.  He leads Team USA goaltenders in wins, save-percentage (.903), and goals-against-average (2.55). His 24 total wins on the season currently has him tied with John Gibson (2009-11/Anaheim Ducks) and fellow teammate Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.) for the 9th most wins in a single season in NTDP history.

NTDP ALUMNI IN FROZEN FOUR: Three of the four teams in the 2018 Frozen Four feature former NTDP players.

Joey Anderson (2014-16/Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth) scored in the quarterfinal to help the Bulldogs move past Air Force to win the west region.

Joe Wegwerth (2012-14) scored in the first round to help propel Notre Dame to their Frozen Four appearance. Dawson Cook (2011-13) and Dylan St. Cyr (2015-17) will look to help Notre Dame earn a trip to the championship game.

Ten NTDP alumni play for the University of Michigan who will look to defeat Notre Dame in their Frozen Four appearance. In their win to advance to the Frozen Four, four of Michigan’s six goals were scored by NTDP alumni: Quinn Hughes (2015-17), Brendan Warren (2013-15), Nick Pastujov (2014-16), and Nicholas Boka (2013-15). Other NTDP alumni on Michigan’s roster include: Will Lockwood (2014-16), Griffin Luce (2014-16), Luke Martin (2014-16), James Sanchez (2014-16), Josh Norris (2015-17), and Michael Pastujov (2015-17).

WERENSKI NOMINATED FOR MASTERTON: NTDP alumni and current Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman, Zach Werenski (2013-14) was nominated by the Columbus chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the Bill Masterton Trophy on Tuesday (March 27). The trophy is awarded annually to the player that best demonstrates “qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” ​​​​​​​