Tag Archives: USNTDP

DEVELOPMENT PATH DISRUPTION: NCAA VS TRADITIONAL LEAGUES

Several top prospects are opting for NCAA programs over traditional junior leagues, raising questions about game volume, competition level, and long-term development impact.Let’s unpack the Development Path Disruption theme in the 2026 NHL Draft—it’s one of the most fascinating shifts in recent years, and it’s reshaping how scouts evaluate upside, readiness, and risk. Related: THEContinue reading “DEVELOPMENT PATH DISRUPTION: NCAA VS TRADITIONAL LEAGUES”

RYAN CHESLEY

Defense6’0/187RightUS National U18 Teams/USDP & USNTDP Juniors/USHL Related: Elias Salomonsson Ryan Chesley rose through the ranks at Shattuck St. Mary’s where he played for three seasons in which he put up plenty of points from the back end. In the 2020-21 season, Chesley joined the USNTDP U17s, where he tallied 34 points in 37 gamesContinue reading “RYAN CHESLEY”

RUTGER McGROARTY

Center6’0/205LeftU.S. National U18 Team-USDP/USNTDP Juniors-USHL Related: Danila Yurov McGroarty debuted with the USNTDP in 2020-21 and starred for the U17 team, totaling 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 34 games. His play earned him a call up to the U18 team where he tallied 6 points in 19 games, setting the stageContinue reading “RUTGER McGROARTY”

Sean Behrens

Defenseman USNTDP Juniors/USHL Height: 5’9″/ Weight: 174 lbs. Size/Strength     Below AverageSkating       GreatShot/Scoring     GoodPuckhandling    GreatPhysical Play       AverageOffensive Play     GreatDefensive Play    GreatHockey Sense      ExcellentCompetitiveness  Great Strengths 1.  Behrens is a great skater, as he has near elite four-way mobility, and is hisContinue reading “Sean Behrens”

Roman Schmidt

Defenseman USNTDP Juniors/USHL Height: 6’4″/ Weight: 210 lbs. Size/Strength     ExcellentSkating       GreatShot/Scoring      GreatPuckhandling      GoodPhysical Play       ExcellentOffensive Play     GoodDefensive Play     ExcellentHockey Sense      ExcellentCompetitiveness  Great Strengths 1. Schmidt is nearly impossible to play against, as he combines his smooth skating with incredibleContinue reading “Roman Schmidt”

Sasha Pastujov

Left Wing USNTDP Juniors/USHL Height: 6’0″/ Weight: 174 lbs. Size/Strength      GoodSkating       ExcellentShot/Scoring      GoodPuckhandling      GreatPhysical Play       GoodOffensive Play      ExcellentDefensive Play      GreatHockey Sense        ExcellentCompetitiveness  Excellent Strengths 1. Pastujov is an excellent skater; his edge-work is terrific and capableContinue reading “Sasha Pastujov”

Luke Hughes

Defenseman USNTDP Juniors/USHL Height: 6’2″/ Weight: 176 lbs. Size/Strength     ExcellentSkating       ExcellentShot/Scoring      GoodPuckhandling      ExcellentPhysical Play       GoodOffensive Play     ExcellentDefensive Play     GoodHockey Sense      ExcellentCompetitiveness  Great Strengths 1. Silky-smooth skater; can transport the puck up ice on his stick, while generating speed throughContinue reading “Luke Hughes”