LAST TIME OUT: The U17s stormed back from a 4-2 deficit to the Muskegon Lumberjacks, tallying four straight goals to win a 6-4 thrilled on the road. Rutger McGroarty and Jimmy Snuggerud (Chaska, Minn.) each notched a pair of goals to power the U.S. past Muskegon.

Continuing the 2020-21 Kroger College Series, the U18s split a weekend series against Arizona State, skating to a 6-3 win last Thursday before falling, 2-1, in the series finale. Sasha Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.) was stellar for the U.S., notching three goals and five points across the two games. 

ROOKIE MAGIC: A trio of U17s skaters rank among top five USHL rookies in scoring this season. Frank Nazar III's (Mount Clemens, Mich.)  nine goals  and 19 points in league play pace the U17s, while Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wis.) sits tied for fourth with Logan Cooley (West Mifflin, Pa.) with 11 goals and 17 points. Cooley has 10 goals and 17  points. 

Additionally, Howard and Rutger McGroarty are tied for the rookie goal lead with 11 tallies apiece. 

STELLAR DEFENSE: Seamus Casey (Estero, Fla.) has tallied points in six of his last seven games. The blueliner has a goal and six assists for seven points since Jan. 16. Ryan Chesley (Mahtomedi, Minn.) has also been stellar offensively. The defenseman has tallied a point in seven of his last nine games, collecting three goals and eight points in the stretch dating back to Jan. 2. 

TREMENDOUS 25: Twenty members of the 2020-21 U.S. National Under-18 Team and five former NTDP players were named to the National Hockey League Central Scouting's midseason rankings ahead of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. All 20 age-eligible U18 skaters for the draft were rated on the opening list. 

In addition, Owen McLaughlin (Spring City, Pa.) and Nick Roukounakis (Pembroke, Mass.), who have each appeared in five games for the U18s this season, were both listed as C-rated skaters.

HOBEY BAKER WATCH: Six former NTDP players were nominated for the 2021 Hobey Baker Award, presented to college hockey's top player. Matthew Boldy (Boston College / NTDP 2017-19), Cole Caufield (University of Wisconsin /NTDP 2017-19), David Farrance (Boston University / NTDP 2015-17), Logan Hutsko (Boston College / NTDP 2015-16), Spencer Knight (Boston College / NTDP 2017-19 and Cam York (University of Michigan / NTDP 2017-19) were all named to the list of nominees. 

The list will be pared down to 10 finalists before going to a selection committee to be decided. The NTDP has had 26 Hobey Baker Finalists and six winners. 

NTDP IN THE NHL: NTDP alums have been making waves early in the new NHL season. Former forward Joel Farabee (Philadelphia Flyers / NTDP 2016-18) is continuing his electric second season in the league. In 13 contests, Farabee has six goals and 12 points. The forward notched his second three-point performance of the season with a trio of assists against Washington on Feb. 7, and opened the season with a four-point game against Pittsburgh Jan. 13. 

Winger Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes / NTDP 2014-16) scored the game-tying goal in Monday's 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues. The winger has four goals and eight points in 12 games, including four points in the past two contests. 

Jordan Greenway (Minnesota Wild / NTDP 2013-15) has made an immediate offensive impact with the Wild. The forward currently leads the Wild in scoring with 10 points in 11 games. Greenway has been hot the last few days, garnering a goal and four assists in his last five games.