NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING: NHL Central Scouting released its second update of the year to its 2020 NHL Entry Draft prospect rankings on Monday. 18 NTDP skaters found their names on the list including three listed as Round 1 skaters - defenseman Jake Sanderson (Whitefish, Mont.) was the top-represented player from the NTDP at No. 11 overall, while forwards Ty Smilanic (Denver, Colo.) and Thomas Bordeleau (Houston, Texas) followed at 18th and 26th respectively. Goaltender Drew Commesso (Norwell, Mass.) was rated as the 2nd best North American goalie while Noah Grannan (Germantown, Wis.) came in at No. 8.

ON A ROLL: U17 goaltender Kaidan Mbereko (Aspen, Colo.) picked up the victory in Friday's win over Youngstown to push his record to 14-3-0 this season. The 5-foot-11 netminder has now won seven of his last eight decisions. His next win will push Mbereko to third-most for an Under-17 goaltender since the NTDP moved to USA Hockey Arena for the 2015-16 season. 

DEUCES WILD: In the Under-17's last home game, a 9-3 win over Youngstown, Justin Janicke (Maple Grove, Minn.), Liam Gilmartin (Falls Church, Va.) and Sasha Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.) all recorded a pair of goals. Pastujov continues to pace the team in points as he has recorded 43 (12-31-43)  in 36 games played. Janicke ranks third on the team with 15 goals while Gilmartin reached double-digits with his effort and now has 10 on the season.

FINAL VOTE: Former NTDP defenseman Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks; NTDP 2015-17) was one of four winners of the NHL's Last Men In competition and will head to his first all-star game later this month. Hughes will join teammates Elias Pettersson and Jacob Markstrom in St. Louis as his 32 points ranks third among all rookie skaters across the league.

BIOSTEEL ALL-AMERICAN GAME:  The 2020 Biosteel All-American Game, taking place at USA Hockey Arena, is happening on January 20. One team will be the U.S. National Under-18 Team while the other will be made up of the top American-born prospects eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft from around the USHL. Former NTDP players Sean Farrell and Ryder Rolston will return to Plymouth as part of the visiting team. The game will be broadcast nationally on NHL Network. For tickets or more information on the game, visit USAHockeyArena.com/allamerican.

WORLD UNDER-18 CHAMPIONSHIP:  The 2020 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship will take place in Plymouth and Ann Arbor, Michigan from April 16-26, 2020. USA Hockey Arena will host the games in Plymouth while the Ann Arbor Ice Cube will play host in Ann Arbor. Team USA will be one of 10 countries represented in the tournament. The group starting play in Plymouth will feature the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia and the United States. Tickets for the tournament are on sale now by visiting USAHockeyArena.com, calling the USA Hockey Arena Box Office at 734-453-8400 or stopping by USA Hockey Arena during normal business hours.

PLAYER FEATURE:  Luke Hughes (Manchester, N.H.) Forging His Own Identity on the Ice. Read the full player feature, presented by Milk Means More, on USAHockeyNTDP.com.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS AT USA HOCKEY ARENA: The NTDP will host  a variety of  promotional nights at USA Hockey Arena in the upcoming weeks:

Fri. Jan. 17  - $5 Fun Night

Sat. Jan. 18  - Nickelodeon Night featuring Spongebob Squarepants

Fri. Jan. 31  - Yooper Night  vs. Lake Superior State