Welcome to Tier 1 Hockey

Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Des Moines Buccaneers
7201 Hickman Road
Urbandale, IA 50322
515-278-9757
bucshockey.com
Fargo Force
5225 31st Ave. South
Fargo, ND 58104
701-356-7656 phone
fargoforce.com
USHL.COM |
@USHL
850 West Jackson, Suite 703
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 546-7300
ushl-contact@ ushl.com
Bob Fallen
President and
Commissioner
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
1100 Rockford Road SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-247-0340
ridertownusa.com
Lincoln Stars
PO Box 80327
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-474-7827
lincolnstars.com
Joe Macdonell
Vice President of
Business Operations
Chicago Steel
735 East Jefferson St.
Bensenville, IL 60106
630-594-1162
chicagosteelhockeyteam.com
Omaha Lancers
7300 Q Street
Ralston, NE 68127
402-344-7825
lancers.com
Brian Werger
Director of
Communications
and Public Relations
Dubuque Fighting Saints
1800 Admiral Sheehy Drive
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-583-6880
dubuquefightingsaints.com
Sioux City Musketeers
PO Box 3313
Sioux City, IA 51102
712-252-2116
musketeershockey.com
Sioux Falls Stampede
1001 N. West Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-336-6060
sfstampede.com
Tri-City Storm
609 Platte Road
Kearney, NE 68845
308-338-8809
stormhockey.com
Waterloo Black Hawks
125 Commercial Street
Waterloo, IA 50701
319-232-3444
waterlooblackhawks.com
Adam Micheletti
Director of Hockey
Operations
Aaron Westendorf
Manager of
Media & Digital
Communications
Doug Christiansen
Director of Player
Development &
Recruitment
Scott Zelkin
USHL
Referee-In-Chief
Dave Siciliano
Senior Advisor of
Hockey Operations
Skip Prince
Senior Advisor
2/
Bloomington Thunder
101 S. Madison Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-434-2980 phone
bloomingtonthunder.com
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
Green Bay Gamblers
1901 South Oneida Street
Green Bay, WI 54304
920-405-1237
gamblershockey.com
Madison Capitols
1880 Veterans Drive
Madison, WI 53713
608-257-CAPS
madcapshockey.com
Muskegon Lumberjacks
470 W. Western Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440
231-726-3879
muskegonlumberjacks.com
Team USA
2121 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-327-9251
usantdp.com
Youngstown Phantoms
229 East Front Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
330-747-7825
youngstownphantoms.com
Welcome
to Tier I
C
CONGRATULATIONS on being
selected to compete at the 2015 USHL
Combine. After receiving more than 3,000
applications you have been selected to
compete in front of scouts representing
the USHL and other junior leagues.
As America’s only Tier I junior league,
the USHL has set an increasingly high
standard both on and off the ice for young
hockey players to begin their development
path. It is because of this that college and
NHL scouts alike watch the league so
closely. Every year more than 95% of USHL
players receive a Division I opportunity to
Bob Fallen
President and Commissioner
fallen @ushl.com
@ USHLCommish
Doug Christiansen
Director of Player
Development & Recruitment
christiansen@ushl.com
@ USHLPlayerDev
continue their hockey career. More than
350 players currently playing in the USHL
already have college commitments.
With more than 250 USHL alumni
currently signed to NHL contracts, the
league has become one of the quickest
development paths to the pro ranks
as well. More and more, NHL teams
and scouts look to the USHL to find
players that want to develop at their own
pace. Former Dubuque Fighting Saints
teammates Johnny Gaudreau and Zemgus
Girgensons are a good example of this:
Gaudreau, featured on the program’s
cover, was drafted out of the USHL and
played three years in college before going
to the Calgary Flames. Girgensons, also
drafted from the USHL, was given the
opportunity to sign his pro contract at 18
and develop a year in the American Hockey
League prior to joining the Buffalo Sabres.
Whatever your path may be, the
USHL continues to be the best route for
development because it has the best
athletes. You are a now part of the USHL
Development Path. Whether you are
selected in the upcoming USHL Draft,
attend a USHL team tryout camp or come
into the league at a later age, you are what
makes the league so special.
Thank you for aspiring to play in the
USHL, and good luck!
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
/3
Will You Make
The Educated
Decision?
D
League
Theme Tells
the Story
DURING THE 2014-15 SEASON, the
USHL launched a campaign with the theme “Make
the Educated Decision.” Targeted primarily at elite
youth players, their parents and family advisors,
the campaign stresses the abundance of player
development and academic opportunities
available to players who are evaluating
their options, with an emphasis on the
path paved by the USHL.
The central message of the
marketing campaign encourages
players, parents, and family
advisors to carefully evaluate
the different paths available
and to better understand the
developmental landscape
for reaching college
and professional
hockey.
Mason Morelli turned all sorts
of heads with his performance at
the USHL Combine, leading him to
being chosen in the first round of
the 2012 USHL Draft. He has spent
the last two seasons in the League
with the Fargo Force.
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2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
Our intent is to be
informative about
development options
— without disparaging
opportunities available
in other junior hockey
leagues.”
“The goal is to provide factual and
provocative information that allows players
to make an informed decision based on their
goals on and off the ice,” said USHL President
and Commissioner Bob Fallen. “We felt
we needed to do a better job of providing
information about the opportunities available
to hockey players and student-athletes.”
The new campaign is integrated into
promotional collateral and digital media
generated by the USHL, but the primary
communication vehicle has been speaking
engagements at youth hockey events all
over the country. The League hired former
USHL, college and professional hockey
player Doug Christiansen as Director of
Player Development and Recruiting and
Christiansen has traveled to a variety of North
American destinations to present to hockey
organizations.
“The feedback we’ve received has been
overwhelmingly positive,” said Christiansen.
“The presentation clarifies the USHL’s
position in the player development
cycle and provides background
on the junior and college hockey
landscape. Our intent is to be
informative about development
options — without disparaging
opportunities available in other
junior hockey leagues.”
Christiansen’s scouting
efforts are supported by a
network of talent scouts
in regions across North
America that help to
identify prospects that
have the potential and
the interest to play in the
USHL and beyond. These
individuals were involved
in the invitations extended
to USHL Combine
participants.
4 Things You
Need to Know
About Junior
Hockey
Y
YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT
HOCKEY. You’re getting better every
day and you’re performing at a high level
with your current team. You’re ready to
explore your options on how to reach the
next level and achieve your goals. Which
development path is right for you?
Junior hockey is the logical choice
– but the different leagues, rules and
opportunities can be confusing in both
the U.S. and Canada. There’s a lot of
information and clutter out there. We
can help you navigate the junior hockey
landscape. Here’s what you need to know.
1
Understanding the
Tier System
There are three different tiers (or levels)
of junior hockey in the United States.
The USA Hockey Junior Council certifies
these leagues and teams annually to their
respective classifications based on quality
of play and operations standards.
Tier 1:
The USHL is the only Tier 1 hockey league
in the U.S. It is the highest level of junior
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2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
competition in the country. The USHL is
NCAA-protected, meaning its players will
maintain their college hockey eligibility,
and the reason that it is heavily-scouted by
college coaches.
It is also the only level that has no cost
to the player. All equipment “head to toe”
is provided by the team, in addition to
top-quality billet housing provided by the
team.
The USHL maintains the highest of
standards, including some of the best
coaches and staffs in the sport of hockey,
top-quality on and off-ice facilities, and
a schedule to balance a maximum and
minimum number of league games with a
proper practice-to-game ratio.
Another unique aspect of the USHL
is the maintenance of balanced age
groupings with a diminished number of
20-year-old players and relatively balanced
under-17, 18, and 19 age categories. It is
about development and moving players up
to the next levels of the sport.
There are presently 18 USHL Tier 1
teams in the United States. Approximately
96% of all USHL players earn
opportunities at the NCAA Division 1 level.
Former Dubuque Fighting Saint, Boston
College Eagle and current Calgary Flames
player Johnny Gaudreau appreciates the
development path he chose.
“It was best for my development to
come to the USHL before college. I was
really fortunate to play for the Dubuque
Fighting Saints with Coach Montgomery,”
Gaudreau said. “It really helped me
become a better player.”
Tier 2:
The North American Hockey League
(NAHL) is the only Tier 2 league in the U.S.
It is a step below the USHL in terms of
talent and standards, but it still maintains
a very strong level of competition.
It has an increased number of 20-yearolds on team rosters and maintains the
college eligibility of its players.
There are presently 24 Tier 2 NAHL
teams in the United States. The league is
scouted by NCAA Division I and Division III
programs.
Tier 3:
Most of the junior hockey leagues in the
U.S. are Tier 3 – the Eastern Hockey
League (EHL), North American 3 Hockey
League (NA3HL), U.S. Premier Hockey
League (USPHL), Minnesota Junior
Hockey League (MJHL), Metropolitan
Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and
Northern Pacific Hockey League (NPHL).
These are all “Pay-To-Play” leagues
and the competition level is generally a
step below the NAHL and two steps below
the USHL. There is a wide disparity of
organizational aptitude and competitive
balance among them. There are presently
144 Tier 3 teams in existence with some
teams scouted by NCAA Division I and
Division III programs.
All three tiers of junior hockey in the
U.S. are NCAA-protected, meaning
players can move on to college hockey
to further their development while
pursuing a degree.
2
What Do the
Statistics Say?
3
The USHL has been operating in its
current form since 2002, when USA
Hockey appointed it as the only Tier 1
These markets have embraced their
teams and support them every night.
“It is a man’s league. It felt like I was
a pro,” said former Green Bay Gambler,
Wisconsin Badger and San Jose Shark
Adam Burish. “It was more games than I
had ever played, but it was fun. You’re on
the road. You’re playing a ton of games.
The games were fast – they were tough.
I felt like I was a pro for the first time. It
was a good experience for me.”
4
The numbers don’t lie. There are currently
more than 250 USHL alumni under
contract in the NHL and more than 340
current USHL players have commitments
to play college hockey. It is the preferred
route to NCAA hockey, which is becoming
the preferred route to the NHL. In the
2013-14 season, 31 percent of all NHL
players played NCAA hockey.
“My path was the perfect path for
me,” explained Gaudreau. “Going to the
USHL with the college route and then
ultimately making it to the NHL, it’s a
good path to take.”
When it comes to education, the NCAA
recently reported that 92.1 percent
of college hockey players earn their
degree – the highest rate in all of college
athletics. It should also be noted that
these players are
graduating from
top American
universities.
Education is highly valued in the USHL and
in college hockey.
History and Background
junior hockey league in the country. The
USHL has 17 teams located throughout
the Midwest in addition to the US
National Team Development Program
(USNTDP) U18 and U17 teams that play
a split schedule. The regular season
champions are awarded the Anderson
Cup while the playoffs culminate with the
Clark Cup championship.
“Just the bond that you create with
those guys and just being at the rink –
it’s almost like being a professional,”
said Kyle Okposo, current New York
Islanders forward and former Clark
Cup Champion with the Des Moines
Buccaneers.
Big-Time Venues
and Atmosphere
More than $250 million have
been spent on USHL facility
construction and renovations
within the past five years. Just
this fall, a brand-new $130
million facility – the Denny
Sanford PREMIER Center –
opened its doors for the Sioux
Falls Stampede. Ralston Arena,
home of the Omaha Lancers,
opened just two years ago.
Alec McCrea was a USHL Combine
participant prior to being picked in
the 2011 USHL Draft. He has played
over 160 games in his USHL career
and was captain of the Waterloo Black
Hawks during the 2014-15 season.
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
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2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
Junior
Mint
By Jim Leitner
T
TREY DODD
UNDERSTOOD THE
VALUE in stepping outside of his
comfort zone to pursue his ultimate
goal of playing collegiate hockey.
So, as a 16-year-old high school
sophomore, he took a leap of faith
and accepted an offer to play junior
hockey for his hometown St. Louis
Jr. Blues in the North American Tier
III Hockey League. The visibility he
gained from playing for the 2012-13
regular-season champions paid off
and started Dodd’s ascent on the
USA Hockey ladder for players under
the age of 20.
Last season, Dodd helped the
Austin Bruins to the Central Division
title in the Tier II NAHL, and this
fall the 5-11, 190-pound forward
earned a promotion to the Dubuque
Fighting Saints of the Tier I United
States Hockey League. And, in early
February he accepted an offer to
play at Brown University following
his USHL career.
“Growing up, I was kind of in
the shadows of other players, so
PHOTO BY CHAD PHILLIPS
I decided to go a little different
route than most people,” Dodd
said. “When I was 16, I thought it
would help my game to go to the
NA3HL instead of going the AAA
Midget route before playing in the
NAHL or USHL. It was important to
start the process of playing against
bigger, older, tougher guys a little
earlier in my career. At an early
age, understanding exactly what
that means helped me adjust a lot
faster.”
Junior hockey provides an
important developmental bridge
between the high school or Midget
level and the college ranks while
offering exposure to professional
scouts. In nearly all cases, players
must move away from home and
develop athletically, academically
and socially during the ages of 16 to
20 — an influential time in their lives.
The regular season begins in
September and includes upwards
of 60 games, while the postseason
can run into the month of May. In a
typical week, teams practice Monday
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
/9
through Thursday and play two games on
the weekend before taking Sunday off.
The daily routine can be a grind, as well.
High school students attend classes
during the morning before heading to
the rink for on-ice practice and off-ice
strength and conditioning. Long road
trips and occasional mid-week games
take can students away from the
classroom at times and challenge a
player’s time management skills and
commitment to his studies.
Players who have completed their
high school education often take postsecondary courses to apply to their
college transcript, hold part-time jobs
or serve the team through community
outreach initiatives. Nearly all Tier 1
and Tier 2 junior hockey teams employ
education advisors to keep high school
students and post-secondary students
on track and aid in the process of
being approved by the NCAA
Clearinghouse.
Before he became
USHL Commissioner in
June 2014, Bob Fallen
witnessed the impact
You want to play at the level
where you can develop the most.”
the league has on its players first-hand.
His son, Tommy, played two seasons for
the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders before
moving on to Yale University and serving
as the Bulldogs’ captain as a senior in
2014-15.
“He went to that league as a boy and
came out a man, and I credit (coach)
Mark (Carlson) and his staff and all the
great players in that league for turning
him into a a much more complete
hockey player than he was when he left
home,” Fallen said.
The Tier I USHL is the highest
level on the USA Hockey ladder of
development, and its member clubs pay
for the majority of a player’s expenses,
including equipment and housing.
The NAHL occupies the
next rung, and teams are
responsible for some of a
player’s expenses.
Eight other leagues
operate at the Tier III pay-to-play level
to complete the USA Hockey ladder. All
leagues adhere to strict guidelines so
players maintain NCAA eligibility, and
the higher levels receive attention from
NHL scouts.
“Junior hockey does a great job of
getting you prepared for the next step,”
said John Vanbiesbrouck, a USA Hockey
vice president and the Junior Council
Chairman. “It allows you time to develop.
There’s no rush. If you really want to
develop your skills as a player, you have
to give it some time, and you also have to
learn how to manage life. Junior hockey is
the beginning of a career. It’s not a career
until you learn how to manage life.”
“Our American players have great
options today. There are a lot of really
good junior leagues and junior teams out
there who all serve a purpose. And I think
we’ve developed more of a clear path for
our players to get to that next level.”
Pete Rutili, a family advisor to
aspiring young hockey players, feels
indebted to his junior hockey experience.
Rutili played in the USHL in the
late 1980s before skating for
Augsburg College in Minnesota
and becoming an NCAA Division
III All-American as a senior.
“Playing in the USHL was a
wonderful experience for me,
and I still maintain friendships with
Stefano Lekkas
attended the USHL
Combine prior to
being selected in
the 2012 USHL
Draft. He was
among the top
USHL goaltenders
this season with
23 wins.
10 /
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
a lot of the guys I played with that one
year I was in Dubuque,” Rutili said. “But
the hockey landscape has changed a
great deal. There are more opportunities
for kids these days. It’s important and
their parents have the right information
to make the best decision possible for
them.”
When speaking with players and
their families, Rutili emphasizes the
commitment level involved. The junior
hockey path isn’t for everyone.
“It’s important to go when you’re
ready,” Rutili said. “You’re better off
taking a step-by-step approach and
mastering the level you’re at, whether it’s
U16 or U18, before moving on to the next
level. You want to play at the level where
you can develop the most.”
The key to finding the right junior
team is parents and players doing their
homework.
“They need to consider past
performance both on and off the ice but
more focus on college placement,” said
Mark Frankenfeld, Commissioner and
President of the NAHL. “Research what
positions are opening up on the team for
next season and try to gauge their ability
to secure one of those spots on the roster.
Communication with the coaching staff
during the tryout process is very important
and their level of response may help you
gauge where you sit on their list. It never
hurts to speak with current players,
former players and housing families after
you have been offered a spot and prior to
making a final commitment.”
Dodd knew he was ready, both physically
and mentally, to make the jump to junior
hockey. Then, he had to earn some of the
breaks that came his way.
“It definitely takes a lot of hard work,”
Dodd said. “I kind of got lucky, because I
accepted offers to play for the right teams.
That’s huge, not only in your development
as a player but in the fact that each coach
has connections with certain programs
at certain levels. If you play for the coach
with the right connections, you have
a better chance to head in the right
direction in your career.”
Jim Leitner is the Sports Editor for
Dubuque Telegraph Herald and frequently
contributes to USA Hockey Magazine.
TONY GASPARINI’S ADVICE FOR
ASPIRING JUNIOR PLAYERS
By Jim Leitner
Tony Gasparini played junior hockey in the early 1990s, coached at that level in the
early 2000s and now evaluates it as an amateur scout for the Los Angeles Kings.
And the best advice he can give families of aspiring junior players is to do
their homework before making the jump from high school or Midget hockey.
“It’s important to ask questions so you understand the process, because
nine times out of 10, it’s not an easy transition and there’s a lot of adversity
you’ll have to face,” Gasparini said. “If you don’t ask questions, situations will
sneak up on you, and negative consequences are usually the result. You don’t
want to walk into it without an understanding of what’s going to happen.
“Your son is moving up a level, and things are a lot harder. It isn’t about fair
play anymore. It’s a competitive sport, and coaches are there to win games.
This is their livelihood. And you’re competing on a national level with a lot of
other players who have had success at their own local levels.”
Here are the questions Gasparini recommends:
INTERNAL QUESTIONS
1.Is my son at the point where his game and his success at his current level
has reached a point where he’s ready to take the next step?
2.Is he in the right standing academically to handle the rigors of managing his
time differently, because the schedule is so much different, and they’re away
from home?
3.Is my son mature enough socially to be integrated with players who may be
two or three years older than he is?
QUESTIONS FOR THE COACH
“As a coach, I always hated the questions like, ‘Where do you see my son? Will
he be on the power play? Is he going to do this or that?’” said Gasparini, who
served as an assistant and head coach with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede
from 1999-2003 and spent two more years as an assistant at Union College
before joining the Kings’ staff. “Ultimately, his play is going to dictate his
opportunity on that team. That’s how it goes.”
So, Gasparini recommends general, basic questions to better understand a
program’s philosophies.
1.Numerically, how many guys are you going to carry at each position?
2.What is your philosophy toward distributing playing time?
3.Are there trades involved?
“In most cases, those coaches have been around a while, so you can do a lot
of research,” Gasparini said. “If what they’re telling you doesn’t match up with
previous years’ results, something’s amiss. You have to trust your instincts.”
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
/ 11
The Fastest
Growing Route
to the NHL
College Hockey Produces Winners On And Off the Ice
THERE’S NOT JUST
ONE WAY to get to the
NHL. But ask NHL Director
of Central Scouting Dan Marr
which path he has seen firsthand continue an upward
trend, and it’d be the USHL.
“It’s evolved to the point
where it’s the next step for a
lot of young players in their
hockey career,” Marr said at
speaker forum organized by
the USHL last year. “They’re
young professionals when
they get to this level.”
NHL scouts used to just
focus on Canadian Major
Juniors, Marr said. But about
a decade ago, the USHL
was added to the list. Now,
it’s a must for all NHL Club
scouting departments.
“It’s a prime scouting
ground for NHL teams,”
Marr said. “It’s actually a fun
league to scout just because
of the competitive nature.
We like the fact that when
we go there, we’re almost
guaranteed we’re going to
see a good hockey game.
We’re going to see good hardworking players and we’re
going to see a strong talent
level. The talent continues
to improve – and that’s
12 /
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
shown through the drafting
tendencies of NHL clubs in
recent years,” Marr said.
Those drafting tendencies
included 35 USHL players
selected in the 2014 NHL
Draft, plus an additional 16
USHL alumni selected. There
are currently more than 240
USHL alumni currently under
contract in the NHL, and the
list is growing.
The College Pipeline
About 31 percent of current
NHL players took the
college hockey route making
college hockey the fastest
growing development path
to the NHL. The Chicago
Blackhawks have become a
model franchise in the NHL,
winning the Stanley Cup in
2010 and 2012. In the 2014
NHL Draft, they selected four
USHL players within their
first five picks. They believe
in the development path.
“We’ve had a lot of success
with the league, but the NHL
as a whole has had a lot of
success with the league,” said
Mark Kelley, Senior Director
of Amateur Scouting for the
Blackhawks. “The unique
thing about the USHL that
we like is it allows players
to develop at their pace, not
dictated by a team. It allows
them time to develop.”
The average age of NHL
rookies is now 23 years old.
Rushing to the next level can
be detrimental to a player’s
development. The USHL
allows players that bridge to
transition into college hockey
and beyond.
“We are looking at their
skating ability and at their
hockey IQ,” added Kelly.
“We’re also looking at how
hard they compete when we
consider how to project them
as a pro player.”
NHL Players Agree
Paul Stastny made his NHL
debut just two years removed
from the USHL, where he
spent two years developing
with the Omaha Lancers
before starring for University
of Denver.
“Over the last five to seven
years, the USHL has gotten
a lot more respect and a lot
more attention than it used
to,” said Stastny, a two-time
U.S. Olympian and current
St. Louis Blues standout.
“I think with the new NHL
being more of a speed game
and a skill game, you don’t
have to be 6-foot-2, 220
pounds to be a first-rounder
now. If you have that hockey
sense and you’re a smart
player, I think teams will
look at you.
“I think with me it started
with colleges, and once I was
being recruited by colleges,
then NHL teams started to
come look at me.”
Buffalo Sabres forward
Zemgus Girgensons took a
different route to get to the
NHL. After spending two
years developing with the
Dubuque Fighting Saints,
Girgensons was selected
in the first round of the
NHL Draft before attending
Buffalo’s training camp
where he was able to decide
between signing a NHL deal
immediately, or playing
hockey at the University
of Vermont.
“It was the toughest
decision of my
life and I wasn’t
sure until
the day I
signed,” said Girgensons,
NHL All-Star and current
first-line center at 21 years
old. “I asked some of the
guys around camp and they
said I was definitely read to
play in the AHL (American
Hockey League).”
Unlike Major Junior,
where teams own player
rights until 20 or two years
after they are drafted,
players from the USHL can
choose to sign a NHL deal
and be sent to the AHL in
order to further develop.
Despite his decision to
forego college, Girgensons
still sees the USHL and
college route as the best
option for players who hope
to make it to the NHL one
day. “The USHL is a great
league and if you’re going
the college route it’s the best
option for you,” Girgensons
said. “Most people should
take that, because for me,
I got lucky they offered a
contract. Most of the time it’s
a lot harder.”
It has almost been three
years since Girgensons was
drafted in Pittsburgh at the
2012 NHL Draft, yet the day
remains special to him, his
country, and for his former
USHL team.
“It was a big honor for me,
being the highest drafted
Latvian. And to represent
Dubuque when they called
it out was just amazing.
To actually hear ‘Dubuque
Fighting Saints’ on the stage
was pretty nice.”
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
/ 13
Road to
College
By Nate Ewell
A
College Hockey Produces Winners On, Off the Field
ASK A FORMER NCAA
HOCKEY PLAYER The most
important thing they took from their
college hockey experience and you never
know what you’ll hear.
Calder Trophy candidate Johnny
Gaudreau raves about the chances he
had to improve, day after day, at Boston
College.
Boston Bruin Torey Krug talks about
the opportunity to develop his allaround game, including the offensive
skills that make him a special player.
David Backes focuses on the
education, and the degree that he
earned despite only playing three years
at Minnesota State.
Jack Eichel looks at the opportunity he
had – for the first time in his life – to play
for his school.
You never know what you’ll hear. But
college hockey’s impact typically can be
broken down to two numbers:
14 /
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
31%
NCAA alumni, once a rarity in the NHL,
now make up nearly one out of three
NHL players. The USHL is a crucial
step in the fastest growing development
path to the NHL. Former NCAA players
comprised 20% of the NHL just a dozen
years ago, but that number passed 31%
and continues to grow.
Former college players are captains
in the NHL, like Backes, and elite
young players, like Gaudreau. Other
alums who are star NHLers include
Joe Pavelski, Jaden Schwartz, Max
Pacioretty and more.
There are multiple signs that the
31% number is trending upwards. Last
year, 36% of all NHL rookies had played
college hockey, and the upcoming NHL
Draft shows even more promise.
Between Eichel, Boston College’s
Noah Hanifin and Michigan’s Zach
Werenski – all USHL alumni – college
hockey could have three current players
selected in the top 10 of the NHL Draft
for the first time.
92%
College hockey enjoys the best
graduation rate of any NCAA Division
I men’s sport, with 92% of all players
earning their degree.
Not only does that lead all NCAA
men’s sports – proving, as we all
suspected, how smart hockey players
are – but it is, far and away, the best
post-secondary success rate of any
hockey development path.
That graduation rate means a great
deal, to players like Anders Lee who
have earned their degrees while playing
in the NHL and all the others who never
reached that level of hockey.
Team USA alum Jack
Eichel scored 72 points
in 59 USHL games
prior to playing college
hockey at Boston
University.
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
/ 15
Each year, a post-secondary
education becomes more and more
important to success in today’s economy.
Student-athletes who ensure that
education – and fulfill it while pursuing
their athletic careers – set themselves
up for success both on and off the ice.
*
*
*
*
*
*
THERE’S ANOTHER TESTIMONIAL
you will hear from former college hockey
players, one that doesn’t fit into numeric
values like 30% or 92%.
“Those were the best years of my life.”
That phrase comes up time and again,
from current NHL players, current
doctors and lawyers, even current
undergraduates.
There are no statistics to help
define it, no numbers that equate to
the experience of playing in front of
thousands of fellow students, pep
bands, and even more loyal alumni.
The greatest experiences aren’t
defined by numbers, or statistics.
They’re intangible, and yet easily
identifiable: “The best years of my life.”
Top 10 Recruiting Tips
It’s incredibly hard to make an NCAA
Division I hockey team, and the deciding
factor in landing one of those coveted
positions typically comes down to your
hockey ability. That said, there are a
number of things young players and
parents can do to catch the eye – and the
interest – of college recruiters.
Here are 10 ways you can help your
“It was best for my development to
come to the USHL before college.”
- Johnny Gaudreau
cause at the rink, in the classroom and
beyond:
1. Be Proactive
College coaches are limited in when
and how often they can contact recruits,
and they can’t reach out to a player until
Jan. 1 of his 10th grade year. Players,
however, can contact coaches at any
time. It can help to let a school know
that you are interested with a reminder
of where they can see you play.
2. Be Studious
The better your grades and standardized
test scores, the more options you will
have. Only 60 schools offer Division I
men’s hockey – you don’t want to narrow
your field further because your marks
aren’t up to par.
Green Bay
Gamblers alum
Anders Lee
graduated with his
class from Notre
Dame in 2014.
16 /
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
3. Be Aware of Eligibility Requirements
Two key elements are part of
determining a student-athlete’s NCAA
eligibility: their academic achievement
and their amateur status. Review
the requirements at eligibilitycenter.
org to understand what classes and
standardized test you need to take.
Don’t jeopardize your amateur status
by signing a CHL contract or playing in
a game.
4. Be a Character Player
Coaches constantly have to make tough
recruiting decisions between equally
talented players. What often breaks the
tie is what they can see of a players’
character in a game. Is he a good
teammate? How does he respond to a
bad shift, or a bad call? Always assume
that someone’s watching you – they
probably are.
5. Be Committed to Improving
Many young players get wrapped up in
playing every showcase event that they
can. Coaches recognize, however, that
development comes in practice, not
games. Instead of signing up for every
showcase, spend time working on a
part of your game that has room for
improvement – then show off those skills
when you are back in the spotlight.
6. Be Consistent
Colleges have three coaches each who can
watch recruits – they don’t employ scouts.
Therefore, they can’t be at every game and
they may see you on an off night. Do your
best to give a consistent effort and rest
assured, they see recruits multiple times
before making any decisions.
7. Be Our Guest
The best way to find out whether a school
is right for you is to take what’s called an
unofficial visit (official visits are paid for by
the school and only available once you are
in 12th grade). An unofficial visit can allow
you to see the campus, tour the facilities
and even take in a game. Reach out to the
coaching staff before you go and let them
know you’ll be on campus.
8. Be Inquisitive
As much as coaches want to find the
right fits for their programs, they want
to be sure their recruits are comfortable
where they end up as well. They want
to hear recruits asking questions –
insightful questions – of the coaching
staff, players, professors and others
around their program.
9. Be a Supportive Parent
Never forgotten in this process are the
parents and their significant role. It
shouldn’t be too significant, however.
Your son should be the one writing
letters and reaching out to coaches.
Coaches want to know that it’s the
player’s ambition, not their parents’. Be
supportive but not overbearing – coaches
have to be sure they want you in their
program for four years as well.
10. Be Patient
The last – and often hardest – piece of
advice is to be patient. The recruiting
process takes time, and prospective
student-athletes can commit to schools
anywhere from 15 years old to 21. Don’t
get frustrated if you aren’t one of those
select few who get an offer while playing
minor midget hockey. Follow these other
nine steps and the recruiting process can
be a rewarding, exciting experience.
Nate Ewell is the Deputy Executive
Director and Communications Director for
College Hockey, Inc.
@ collegehockey
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
/ 17
Storming
Campus
Mercyhurst College
Ryan Misiak
Atlantic
Hockey
Association
20%
of AHA players
are USHL alumni.
Robert Morris University
Evan Moore
Dalton Izyk
Canisius College
Jack Stander
Mike Sabatini
David Parrottino
Holy Cross College
Nilan Nagy
Jacob Youso
Castan Sommer
Logan Smith
Scott Pooley
Paul Berrafato
T.J. Moore
Niagara University
Chris Lochner
Sam Alfieri
Kevin Albers
Isaac Kohls
Nick Cecere
Mike Conderman
Patrick Conte
T.J. Sarcona
Jackson Teichroeb
Vince Muto
Larry Smith
Stanislav Dzakhov
18 /
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
Rochester Institute of
Technology (RIT)
Alexander Kuqali
Brad Shumway
Andrew Miller
Greg Amlong
Todd Skirving
Michael Holland
Mike Rotolo
Sacred Heart University
Will Rayner
Jake Lynes
United States Air Force
Academy
Chad Demers
Cole Gunner
Dan Weissenhofer
George Michalke III
Max Hartner
Johnny Hrabovsky
A.J. Reid
Phil Boje
Kyle Mackey
Austin Priebe
Connor Girard
American International
College
Steven Hoshaw
Brandon Lubin
Dominic Racobaldo
Army
Christian Pomarico
James McNulty
Tanner Creel
Tyler Pham
Joe Llaurado
Mike Preston
Cole Bruns
A complete list
of USHL alumni
currently playing
NCAA hockey
Bentley College
Alex Kubiak
William Eiserman
Gabe Antoni
Will Suter
Tyler Deresky
Andrew McDonald
Ryan McMurphy
Chris Buchanan
Kyle Schmidt
Eastern
Collegiate
Athletic
Confrence
40%
of ECAC players
are USHL alumni.
Princeton University
Aaron Ave
Tucker Brockett
Tyler Maugeri
Johnathan Liau
Kevin Liss
Mike Ambrosia
Kyle Rankin
Michael Zajac
Tommy Davis
Ben Foster
Ryan Siiro
Matt Nelson
Eric Robinson
Stuart Pomeroy
Dartmouth College
Rick Pinkston
Eric Robinson
Andy Simpson
Ryan Bullock
Geoff Ferguson
Tim O’Brien
Brett Patterson
Brad Schierhorn
Brandon Kirk
Grant Opperman
Tim Shoup
River Rymsha
Union College
Sam Coatta
Colin Stevens
Theo DiPauli
Sebastien Gingras
Alex Sakellaropoulos
Jeff Taylor
Matt Krug
Eli Lichtenwald
Mike Vecchione
Tyler Hynes
Connor Light
Cornell University
Cole Bardreau
Joakim Ryan
John McCarron
Jacob MacDonald
Christian Hilbrich
Teemu Tiitinen
Eric Freschi
Jeff Kubiak
Gavin Stoik
Dwyer Tschantz
Hayden Stewart
Jared Fiegl
Alex Rauter
Ryan Bliss
Harvard University
Max Everson
Tom O’Regan
Desmond Bergin
Kyle Criscuolo
Steve Michalek
Greg Gozzo
Clay Anderson
Tyler Moy
University of Maine
Stu Higgins
Matt Morris
Dan Renouf
Cameron (Cam) Brown
Eric Schurhamer
Brian Morgan
Liam Pecararo
Cedric Lacroix
Sean Romeo
Merrimack College
Dan Kolomatis
Justin Hussar
Jared Kolquist
Alfred Larsson
Phil Zielonka
Victor Newell
Sean Malone
Jake Horton
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute (RPI)
Scott Diebold
Luke Curadi
Mark Miller
Jason Kasdorf
Chris Bradley
Milos Bubela
Parker Reno
Jimmy DeVito
Riley Bourbonnais
Jake Wood
Drew Melanson
Louie Nanne
Kenny Gillespie
St. Lawrence University
Justin Bruckel
Chris Martin
Gunnar Hughes
Christian Horn
Eric Sweetman
Gavin Bayreuther
Drew Smolcynski
Woody Hudson
Alex Dahl
Brian Ward
Nolan Gluchowski
Michael Marnell
Ryan Lough
Matt Purmal
Joe Sullivan
Kyle Hayton
Yale University
Anthony Day
Tommy Fallen
Connor Wilson
Matt Killian
Ryan Obuchowski
Stu Wilson
Charles Orzetti
Mitch Witek
Alex Lyon
Tim Bonner
Frankie DiChiara
John Hayden
Patrick Spano
John Baiocco
Ryan Hitchcock
Adam Larkin
Clarkson University
Joe Zarbo
Greg Lewis
Bryan Sinz
A.J. Fossen
Jordan Boucher
Dylan Gareau
Terrence Amorosa
Quinnipiac University
Justin Agosta
Alex Barron
Soren Jonzzon
Sam Anas
Connor Clifton
Joe Fiala
Tommy Schutt
Landon Smith
Bo Pieper
Canon Pieper
Brown University
Ryan Jacobson
Kyle Quick
Nick Lappin
Mark Naclerio
Aleksi Rossi
Davey Middleton
Tim Lappin
Dane Cooper
Josh McArdle
Colgate University
Sebastian Weberg
Hockey East
45%
of Hockey East
players are
USHL alumni.
Boston University
Cason Hohmann
Matt Grzelcyk
Matt Lane
Matt O’Connor
Danny O’Regan
Kevin Duane
Robbie Baillargeon
Doyle Somerby
Jack Eichel
Brandon Fortunato
Nikolas Olsson
A.J. Greer
Johnathan Macleod
J.J. Piccinich
Boston College
Quinn Smith
Michael Sit
Teddy Doherty
Michael Matheson
Brendan Silk
Ian McCoshen
Steven Santini
Adam Gilmour
Matthew Gaudreau
Austin Cangelosi
Scott Savage
Thatcher Demko
Alex Tuch
Noah Hanifin
Zach Sanford
University of Connecticut
Patrick Kirtland
Brent Norris
Derek Pratt
David Drake
University of New
Hampshire
Casey Thrush
Jay Camper
Jamie Hill
Maxim Gaudreault
Matias Cleland
Dylan Maller
Tyler Kelleher
Andrew Poturalski
Shane Eiserman
Michael McNicholas
Dylan Chanter
Jason Salvaggio
University of Notre Dame
Robbie Russo
Austin Wuthrich
Eric Johnson
Peter Schneider
Garrett Peterson
Sam Herr
Thomas DiPauli
Andy Ryan
Steven Fogarty
Mario Lucia
Ben Ostlie
Vince Hinostroza
Ali Thomas
Justin Wade
Nathan Billitier
Anders Bjork
Dawson Cook
Jordan Gross
Connor Hurley
Cal Petersen
Providence College
Stefan Demopoulos
Mark Adams
Thomas Parisi
John Gilmour
Nick Saracino
Jon Gillies
Trevor Mingoia
Kyle McKenzie
Nick Ellis
Brian Pinho
Truman Reed
Northeastern University
Clay Witt
Dax Lauwers
Torin Snydeman
Adam Reid
Mike Gunn
Kevin Roy
Colton Saucerman
Matt Benning
Jake Schechter
Zach Aston-Reese
John Stevens
Michael Szmatula
Will Messa
Tanner Pond
Ryan Rosenthal
Garret Cockerill
Trevor Owens
University of
Massachusetts-Lowell
Zack Kamrass
Jake Suter
Kevin Boyle
Ryan McGrath
Michael Fallon
Robert Francis
Joe Gambardella
Michael Kapla
C.J. Smith
Tyler Mueller
Gage Hough
Tommy Panico
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
/ 19
University of Vermont
Colin Markison
Nick Luukko
Michael Paliotta
Jacob Fallon
Daniel Senkbeil
Alexx Privitera
Mario Puskarich
Tom Forgione
Kevin Irwin
Jarrid Privitera
Robert Darrar
University of
Massachusetts-Amherst
Troy Power
Oleg Yevenko
Shane Walsh
Ray Pigozzi
Ben Gallacher
Frank Vatrano
Brandon Montour
Dennis Kravchenko
Keith Burchett
Henry Dill
Big Ten
67%
of Big Ten players
are USHL alumni.
University of Michigan
Travis Lynch
Mike Chiasson
Andrew Sinelli
Cristoval Nieves
Justin Selman
Andrew Copp
Steven Racine
Michael Downing
J.T. Compher
Evan Allen
Alex Kile
Max Shuart
Tyler Motte
Zachary Nagelvoort
Dylan Larkin
Zachary Werenski
Cutler Martin
Tony Calderone
Sam Piazza
Alex Talcott
20 /
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
Michigan State University
Matt Berry
Brent Darnell
R.J. Boyd
Travis Walsh
Ryan Keller
Matt DeBlouw
Michael Ferrantino
Jake Hildebrand
David Bondra
Villiam Haag
Mackenzie MacEachern
Joe Cox
Thomas Ebbing
J.T. Stenglein
Connor Wood
Carson Gatt
Joshua Jacobs
Dylan Pavelek
Edwin Minney
University of Minnesota
Kyle Rau
Sam Warning
Seth Ambroz
Travis Boyd
Ben Marshall
Christian Isackson
Brady Skjei
A.J Michaelson
Adam Wilcox
Ryan Reilly
Justin Kloos
Taylor Cammarata
Hudson Fasching
Connor Reilly
Michael Brodzinski
Vinny Lettieri
Jake Bischoff
Ryan Collins
Jack Glover
Robin Hoglund
Steven Johnson
Ohio State University
Darik Angeli
Clark Cristofoli
Matt Johnson
Alex McLean
Nick Oddo
Blake Doerring
Tyler Lundey
Anthony Greco
Blake Doerring
Nicholas Schilkey
Drew Brevig
Dave Gust
Christian Frey
Matthew Weis
Luke Stork
Christian Lampasso
Victor Bjorkung
Janik Moser
Penn State University
Max Gardiner
Patrick Koudys
Nate Jensen
Taylor Holstrom
Tommy Olczyk
Casey Bailey
Connor Varley
Kenny Brooks
Matt Skoff
Eric Scheid
David Goodwin
Ricky Derosa
Zach Saar
Eamon McAdam
Scott Conway
University of Wisconsin
Chase Drake
Matt Paape
Eddie Wittchow
Kevin Schulze
Adam Miller
Grant Besse
Aiden Cavallini
Tim Davison
Jacob Linhart
Jack Dougherty
Corbin McGuire
Ryan Wagner
Jason Ford
Cullen Hurley
National
Collegiate
Hockey
Conference
68%
of NCHC players
are USHL alumni.
Colorado College
Aaron Harstad
Peter Stoykewych
Jordan DiGiando
Charlie Taft
Scott Wamsganz
Ian Young
Cody Bradley
Peter Maric
Jared Hanson
Jaccob Slavin
Matt Hansen
Luc Gerdes
Sam Rothstein
Christian Heil
Zach Aman
Alex Roos
Teemu Kivihalme
Garrett Cecere
Duggie Lagrone
University of Denver
Josiah Didier
Daniel Doremus
Ty Loney
Matt Tabrum
Zac Larraza
Nolan Zajac
Quentin Shore
Grant Arnold
Matt VanVoorhis
Will Butcher
Emil Romig
Trevor Moore
Evan Janssen
Brad Hawkinson
Miami University (Ohio)
Blake Coleman
Austin Czarnik
Jimmy Mullin
Cody Murphy
Ben Paulides
Andrew Schmit
Alex Wideman
Jay Williams
Taylor Richart
Chris Joyaux
Matthew Caito
Sean Kuraly
Alex Gacek
John Doherty
Kevin Morris
Ryan McKay
Riley Barber
Devin Loe
Trevor Hamilton
Anthony Louis
Colin Sullivan
Louis Belpedio
Scott Dornbrock
Conor Lemirande
University of
Minnesota-Duluth
Adam Krause
Justin Crandall
Derik Johnson
Alex Fons
Willie Corrin
Andy Welinski
Austin Farley
Tony Cameranesi
Austyn Young
Matt McNeely
Cal Decowski
Dan Molenaar
Kyle Osterberg
Alex Iafallo
Dominic Toninato
Karson Kuhlman
Jared Thomas
University of
Nebraska-Omaha
Dominic Zombo
Ryan Massa
Brian O’Rourke
Brian Cooper
Tanner Lane
Aaron Pearce
Jonathan “Jono” Davis
Matt Youso
Austin Ortega
Jake Guentzel
Ian Brady
Jake Randolph
Avery Peterson
Tyler Vesel
Luc Snuggerud
Jake Montgomery
University of
North Dakota
Nick Mattson
Andrew Panzarella
Michael Parks
Zane McIntyre
Colten St. Clair
Jordan Schmaltz
Bryn Chyzyk
Drake Caggiula
Keaton Thompson
Paul LaDue
Gage Ausmus
Luke Johnson
Nick Schmaltz
Tucker Poolman
Austin Poganski
Trevor Olson
John Simonson
Cameron Johnson
St. Cloud State
Jarrod Rabey
Brooks Bertsch
Nick Oliver
Andrew Prochno
Joe Rehkamp
Joe Phillipi
Ethan Prow
Jimmy Murray
Jonny Brodzinski
Niklas Nevalainen
Ben Storm
Charlie Lindgren
Patrick Russell
Blake Winiecki
Nate Widman
Ryan Papa
Judd Peterson
Western Michigan
University
Will Kessel
Justin Kovacs
Jordan Oesterle
Matt Stewart
Lukas Hafner
Kenney Morrison
Colton Hargrove
Nolan LaPorte
Mike McKee
Sheldon Dries
Chris Dienes
Taylor Fleming
Kyle Novak
Frederik Tiffels
Aidan Muir
Neal Goff
Willem Nong-Lambert
Scott Moldenhauer
Western
Collegiate
Hockey
Association
41%
of WCHA players
are USHL alumni.
University of
Alabama-Huntsville
Frank Misuraca
Alex Carpenter
Anderson White
Brandon Carlson
Cody Marooney
Max McHugh
Brandon Parker
Richard Buri
Jordan Uhelski
University of
Alaska-Anchorage
Austin Coldwell
Derek Docken
University of
Alaska-Fairbanks
Nolan Youngmun
J.D. Peterson
John Keeney
Matt Friese
Josh Erickson
Justin Woods
Jared Linell
Austin Vieth
Peter Krieger
Tayler Munson
Zach Frye
Bemidji State University
Sam Windle
Matt Prapavessis
Mitch Cain
John Parker
James Hansen
Nate Arentz
Phil Marinaccio
Charlie O’Connor
Ruslan Pedan
Bob Kinne
Brendan Harms
Michael Bitzer
Jay Dickman
Bowling Green State
University
Connor Kucera
Dan DeSalvo
Adam Berkle
Jose Delgadillo
Brent Tate
Dajon Mingo
Matt Pohlkamp
Brandon Hawkins
Nolan Valleau
Tyler Spezia
Mark Friedman
Ben Greiner
Chris Nell
Ferris State University
Jason Binkley
T.J. Schlueter
Dom Panetta
Simon Denis
C.J. Motte
Travis White
Kenny Babinski
Dakota Klecha
Charles Williams
Kyle Schempp
Chad McDonald
Ryan Lowney
Gerald Mayhew
Seth Adams
Tyler Andrew
Mitch Maloney
Andrew Mayer
Austin Kosack
Andrew Dorantes
Tyler Dorantes
Lake Superior State
University
James Roll
Kyle Chatham
Luke Sandler
Michigan Technological
University
David Johnstone
Blake Pietila
Tanner Kero
C.J. Eick
Max Vallis
Cliff Watson
Chris Leibinger
Reid Sturos
Tyler Heinonen
Dylan Steman
Matthew Roy
Joel L’Esperance
Mark Auk
Joe Schuldt
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Chase Grant
Brett Stern
Zach Palmquist
Max Gaede
Jean-Paul LaFontaine
Matt Leitner
Dylan Margonari
Stephon Williams
Blake Thompson
Carter Foguth
Jordan Nelson
Mike Huntebrinker
Zach Stepan
C.J. Franklin
Zeb Knutson
Northern Michigan
University
Ryan Kesti
Reed Seckel
Ryan Daugherty
Luke Eibler
D.J. Vandercook
Ryan Trenz
Joseph Manno
Gerard Hanson
Shane Sooth
Dominik Shine
John Siemer
Mathias Dahlstrom
Barrett Kaib
Robbie Payne
Jordan Klimek
Zach Diamantoni
2015 USHL PLAYER COMBINE
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