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2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced

December 13, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


The United States Hockey League and NHL Central Scouting announced the players selected to compete in the 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game that will take place on Jan. 9, 2018 in Kearney, NE at the Viaero Center, home of the USHL's Tri-City Storm. The selection process for players competing in the game was completed in cooperation with NHL general managers and scouts, NHL Central Scouting and USHL general managers. All 40 players chosen are eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.

In the six-year history of the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, 76 players who participated in the game have later been selected in the NHL Draft, including four first round selections: Shane Bowers (Ottawa Senators, 2017), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets, 2015), Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks, 2015) and Jordan Schmaltz (St. Louis Blues, 2012). Other first round selections who were named to the game but were unable to participate due to injury include Eeli Tolvanen (Nashville Predators, 2017), Michael Matheson (Florida Panthers, 2012) and Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo Sabres, 2012).

38 of the 40 players are currently committed to Division I college hockey programs. 19 different schools are represented in the game, including 13 programs with multiple commits: Harvard University (3), University of Michigan (3), University of Minnesota (3), University of Wisconsin (3), Western Michigan University (3), Yale University (3), Miami University (2), Providence College (2), University of Denver (2), University of Maine (2), University of Minnesota Duluth (2), University of Nebraska Omaha (2) and University of Notre Dame (2).

15 different states will be represented in the game, including five states with multiple players: Michigan (8), Minnesota (5), Illinois (4), Massachusetts (2) and Texas (2). Eight different countries will be represented in the game: United States, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Russia and Slovakia.

16 of the 17 USHL teams are represented, including 13 teams with multiple players: Lincoln Stars (5), Muskegon Lumberjacks (4), Central Illinois Flying Aces (3), Chicago Steel (3), Dubuque Fighting Saints (3), Fargo Force (3), Sioux City Musketeers (3), Youngstown Phantoms (3), Des Moines Buccaneers (2), Omaha Lancers (2), Sioux Falls Stampede (2), Tri-City Storm (2) and Waterloo Black Hawks (2).

The 40 players have been split into two teams - Team East and Team West - for the 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, representing a split of players competing in the USHL's Eastern Conference and Western Conference. Des Moines Buccaneers forward Braden Costello has been assigned to Team East despite playing in the Western Conference. The coaches, support staff and officials will be announced at a later date.

2018 marks the sixth time, and fourth consecutive year, that the USHL will be hosting the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. The 2018 NHL Draft will be held June 22-23 in Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Stars.

Fans can enter for a chance to win a VIP USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game experience, including two tickets, two nights at a hotel and other fun prizes here. Fans can purchase tickets to the upcoming game here.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 16th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2017-18. 30 or more players from the USHL have been selected in five consecutive NHL Drafts, and more than 400 players on team rosters last season committed to NCAA Division I schools, further establishing the USHL as the world's foremost producer of junior hockey talent.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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