NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING: Twenty players from the Under-18 Team were named to NHL Scouting's Preliminary Players to Watch list, released on Tuesday afternoon. 

The five A-ranked skaters, indicating a possible first-round selection in the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft, were defenseman Ryan Chesley (Mahtomedi, Minn.) and forwards Logan Cooley (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Cutter Gauthier (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wis.) and Frank Nazar III (Mount Clemens, Mich.). In addition, NTDP alum Jack Hughes (2019-21 / Northeastern University), a first-year draft eligible NCAA player, was listed as an A-ranked player.

The NTDP followed with six B-rated players, thought of as possible second or third round selections and nine current players were found under the "C" listing, which marks a possible third, fourth or fifth round choice in the draft.   

In addition to the 20 current NTDPers, six additional alums, other than Hughes, found their names on the rankings.

Another nine players who have appeared for Team USA at any point were listed on the first set of rankings. 

MOOSE MUNCH: U18 goaltender Tyler Muszelik (Long Valley, N.J.) is off to a fast start this season, buoyed by a 23-save performance in Saturday evening's 2-1 win over Michigan Tech.

The University of New Hampshire commit has appeared in seven of the team's nine games and racked up a 4-0-1 record, his lone loss coming in an overtime defeat at the hands of the Fargo Force, when he made 33 saves.

Muzelik has posted at least a .900 save percentage in his last four outings, pushing his season-long total to .904, to pair with his 3.02 GAA.

GO FOR GABE: Under-17 forward Gabe Perreault (Hinsdale, Ill.) continues to pace the team on the offensive end. Perreault's eight points (3g-5a) leads the team after being one of two players, along with Gracyn Sawchyn (Chaska, Minn.), to compile multiple points on the weekend.

Perreault has recorded a point in six of the team's 10 games so far and has three points in his last three games, dating back to October 9 in Chicago. 

OH BROTHER: It was quite a month for NTDP alums Quinn Hughes (2015-17 / Vancouver Canucks), Jack Hughes (2017-19 / New Jersey Devils) and Luke Hughes (2019-21 / University of Michigan). 

Quinn inked a six-year, $47.1M contract to remain with the Vancouver Canucks for the forseeable future. Jack netted the overtime winner, his second goal of the game, with a fancy dangle and backhand shot to push the Devils past the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3, on Friday evening. And the youngest brother, Luke, netted his first collegiate goal as the Michigan Wolverines took down Minnesota Duluth by a 5-1 final that same night. 

WELCOME BACK: Two familiar faces return to the U18s lineup this weekend as Brennan Ali (Glencoe, Ill.) and Mikey DeAngelo (Itasca, Ill.) were added to the roster. Both forwards suited up for Team USA in parts of last season.

Ali appeared in 11 games with last year's U17s, picking up a goal and two assists. DeAngelo skated in eight games and tallied a goal and four helpers for five points. 

Ali was also named a B-ranked skater on NHL Central Scouting's Preliminary Players to Watch list, released earlier this week. DeAngelo is not age-eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft.