NTDP Announces Leadership Group and Player Add Ahead of CHL-USA Prospects Challenge

USA Hockey National Team Development Program

NTDP Announces Leadership Group and Player Add Ahead of CHL-USA Prospects Challenge

By USA Hockey's NTDP, 11/21/25, 4:00PM EST

Zielinski to join Under-18 Team against North Dakota before heading to Alberta

Casey Mutryn

PLYMOUTH, Mich. - USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program announced today that forward Blake Zielinski (Berlin, N.J.) will join Team USA’s Under-18 Team this week for the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta (Nov. 25-26), along with its game against the University of North Dakota today.

The CHL-USA Prospects Challenge is set for Tuesday, Nov. 25, inside the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, with puck drop slated for 8:00 p.m. ET. The two-game series concludes Wednesday, Nov. 26 in Lethbridge, Alberta at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena, with puck drop set for 8:00 p.m. ET. Both games will be televised live on NHL Network.

Zielinski, who skates for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers, enters the week with 15 points (3G, 12A) in 18 games played. The Berlin, N.J., native was named to the 2025 USHL All-Rookie, Second Team and has been selected to participate in the 2025 World Junior A Challenge with Team USA.

A B-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List, this won’t be the first time Zielinski has worn the red, white and blue. The Providence College commit played for the U.S. at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup alongside U.S. National Under-18 Team goaltender Brady Knowling (Chicago, Ill.) and defenseman Nick Bogas (Royal Oak, Mich.). Current assistant coach Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) was head coach of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup team that won the tournament, its first championship at the event since 2003. Zielinski led Team USA in points with nine (4G, 5A) in five games played.

Blake Zielinski

CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED
The U.S. National Under-18 Team has announced its leadership group for the upcoming CHL – USA Prospects Challenge games in Canada. Forward Casey Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.) has been selected to serve as team captain. A trio of skaters will serve as alternate captains: forwards Mikey Berchild (Minnetonka, Minn.), Victor Plante (Hermantown, Minn.) and Logan Stuart (Manhattan Beach, Calif.). Each has been a member of the team’s leadership group throughout the season.