Photo by Rena Laverty
For players within USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, one of the biggest adjustments from the Under-17 to Under-18 season is the nature of the schedule and the quality of opponents on it.
In addition to the USHL and international competition, the U18 team also plays a portion of its schedule against NCAA competition, a slate that includes 18 games against NCAA Division I and Division III teams this season.
It’s tough, heavy hockey against older rosters and some elite programs, including defending NCAA Division I champion Western Michigan.
“That’s been the biggest thing that stood out to the guys,” Nick Fohr (Grand Forks, N.D.), head of coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team, said. “It’s harder to generate things, and mistakes are punished, so you really have to learn on the fly. You might get six or seven chances in a game to score, and you have to score on half of them.”
It’s been a valuable learning experience for the NTDP, facing strong NCAA competition early in the season. Through matchups with Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Lake Superior State, Ferris State, Niagara and Cornell, the U18s have gained important experience and growth opportunities against top collegiate programs.
“That’s where we have to look at development and growth, not just winning or losing games,” Fohr said. “That’s part of the design of the NTDP, for us to be able to grow hockey players and young men through those challenges.”
It’s something that multiple players said can be difficult at first, but in the long run, they believe games against NCAA competition will be rewarding, including this weekend’s most recent trip to Niagara University and Cornell.
“It’s the level we all want to work toward,” defenseman Luke Schairer (Charlotte, N.C.) said. “So you get a good chance to learn and see what type of competition you’ll have to face when you do get there.”
Photo by Rena Laverty
Photo by Rena Laverty
“That’s where you want to be, where we want to play next season,” forward Casey Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.) said. “I like the college games for that; we get a chance to really push ourselves for the next step in things.”
It can also be a chance for players to get a firsthand look at some future teammates.
When the U18s hosted Notre Dame, they had four players in the lineup committed to play college hockey for the Fighting Irish. That includes Sammy Nelson (Maple Grove, Minn.), who got to play against both his brothers Danny and Henry. Danny Nelson (2022-23), the captain at Notre Dame, is also a product of the NTDP.
“It’s pretty fun for us as coaches to see the players have success in college, get a chance to coach against them like that,” Fohr said. “That part of it can be kind of fun and eye-opening for the players now, they can see the path and how they are going to be part of the next group of NCAA players.”
Photo by Willie Mitchell
Fohr said the NCAA games are also a good measuring stick that help players stay focused on their current development and long-term goals. Players often pick up habits and tools from the collegiate games that can be applied in international and USHL competition.
Overall, it’s part of the learning curve at the NTDP, and one where the long-term individual results are more important than the final score.
Team USA is back home at USA Hockey Arena for a sole USHL game this Thursday (Oct. 30) against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and tickets are available at USAHockeyNTDP.com/tix or by calling the box office at 734-453-8400.
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