Mustard Continues to Climb

April 16, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

Waterloo, Iowa - The last National Hockey League Central Scouting rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft were released Tuesday, with Waterloo Black Hawks forward John Mustard claiming the 27th spot among North American skaters.

It's the latest upward move for Mustard's prospect status. In January, he had the 41st position on the NHLCS Midterm list. Back in October, he was only graded as a prospect to "Watch," falling outside the service's "A," "B," "C" initial classifications.

Mustard finished the 2023/24 United States Hockey League regular season as Waterloo's top goal-scorer. His 29 goals included a pair of hat tricks (November 25th at Cedar Rapids and February 3rd versus Sioux City), as well as two other multigoal nights. The Providence recruit's four-goal effort against the Sioux City Musketeers was one of only four such performances across the USHL by any player in 2023/24.

The forward's playmaking abilities were also on display. Mustard had a pair of assists five times and finished with a total of 27. Overall his 56 points ranked second among the Black Hawks and placed 27th across the league. However, among USHL rookies, Mustard was only edged by Ben Kevin of the Des Moines Buccaneers, who finished with 57.

Mustard also topped the Black Hawks or finished among the leaders in a number of specialized statistical categories including game-winning goals (seven) and shots on goal (205), both team bests. He had the Hawks' fourth-highest plus/minus differential (+15) and ranked fourth in power play points (16).

Mustard and the Black Hawks face the Lincoln Stars during Game Two of an opening round USHL playoff series Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Seats are available starting at $5 from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2024

• Stars Start Fast, Surge Past Black Hawks - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stampede Falls in Overtime During Game Two - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Boisvert, Gridin Highlight Lumberjacks in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Storm Seeks Bounce-Back Win After Overtime Loss - Tri-City Storm
• Three Stars Appear on NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Lincoln Stars
• Mustard Continues to Climb - Waterloo Black Hawks
• 73 Players with USHL Ties Listed on 2024 NHLCS Final Rankings - USHL
• 21 Former USHL Players Named NCAA All-Americans - USHL
• Shostak Shuts Door on Black Hawks - Lincoln Stars
• Storm Opens Playoffs with 6-5 Overtime Loss to Stampede - Tri-City Storm
• Gamblers Outlast Steel to Take 1-0 Series Lead - Chicago Steel
• Phantoms Pushed to Brink of Elimination with 7-4 Loss to Madison - Youngstown Phantoms
• Herd Takes Game One in Overtime, Defeats Storm 6-5 - Sioux Falls Stampede

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