About
The USA Hockey National Team Development Program includes two squads, the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams, that compete in the United States Hockey League and in three international tournaments each year. The Under-18 Team’s schedule includes games against NCAA Division I and Division III opponents, contests versus USHL teams, and competition in three international tournaments, along with Kroger College Series games. The program also features themed home events such as Youth Hockey Night, Star Wars Night, and the Force to End Hunger promotion.
• Ages: 16–18 years old
Founded in 1996, the program states that its success is not measured by wins and losses, but by the development of skills and gaining experience against older competitors. The program is also known by several nicknames, including Team USA, NTDP, U18s, and U17s.
The program reports a total of 739 players all-time, with 432 NHL Draft picks, including 103 first-round picks and five first overall picks: Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils, 2019), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2016), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks, 2007), Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues, 2006), and Rick DiPietro (New York Islanders, 2000). For the 2024–25 season, 108 alumni are in the NHL. Alumni honors include 29 Stanley Cup champions, 32 all-time Olympians, 7 Olympic medalists, 49 IIHF World Championship medalists, 187 IIHF World Junior Championship medalists, 18 World Cup of Hockey participants, 58 NCAA champions, 8 Hobey Baker Award winners, 17 Hobey Baker Hat-Trick finalists, and 66 NCAA First Team All-Americans.
Teams made up primarily or largely of NTDP players have won multiple international titles. The U.S. has won gold at the IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2023 with teams comprised primarily of NTDP players. With a team comprised largely of NTDP players, the U.S. won its first-ever gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2004, and added gold medals in 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2024, and 2025, plus a bronze medal in 2011.
Upcoming home games include the U.S. National Under-18 Team vs. Adrian on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 7:00 pm as part of the Kroger College Series with Youth Hockey Night and a Plymouth Third Jersey promotion, and the U.S. National Under-18 Team vs. Trine on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 7:00 pm as part of the Kroger College Series with Star Wars Night and the Force to End Hunger promotion.
Several well-known players and coaches have described their time or views on the NTDP. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson called his time at the NTDP “a big turning point” in his career and described the training as “second to none,” also noting the chance to represent his country. Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler said that playing for one’s country is “one of the greatest things any athlete can do” and that the NTDP’s on- and off-ice programs built the foundation he needed as a player. Nashville Predators head coach Phil Housley said that for a junior player in the U.S. who wants to “push yourself to the limits,” the NTDP offers access to “outstanding coaches and great facilities and tough competition,” especially at the Under-18 level. Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane said he “really enjoyed” his time there and called it a “huge part” of his development, noting that Coach John Hynes was demanding while trying to get the best out of him. Nashville Predators draft pick Seth Jones said the NTDP “helped me a ton,” explaining that he went there to develop on and off the ice, worked out very hard, and left after two years weighing 20–25 pounds more, which he identified as his main goal.
Last updated January 5, 2026.
• Ages: 16–18 years old
Founded in 1996, the program states that its success is not measured by wins and losses, but by the development of skills and gaining experience against older competitors. The program is also known by several nicknames, including Team USA, NTDP, U18s, and U17s.
The program reports a total of 739 players all-time, with 432 NHL Draft picks, including 103 first-round picks and five first overall picks: Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils, 2019), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2016), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks, 2007), Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues, 2006), and Rick DiPietro (New York Islanders, 2000). For the 2024–25 season, 108 alumni are in the NHL. Alumni honors include 29 Stanley Cup champions, 32 all-time Olympians, 7 Olympic medalists, 49 IIHF World Championship medalists, 187 IIHF World Junior Championship medalists, 18 World Cup of Hockey participants, 58 NCAA champions, 8 Hobey Baker Award winners, 17 Hobey Baker Hat-Trick finalists, and 66 NCAA First Team All-Americans.
Teams made up primarily or largely of NTDP players have won multiple international titles. The U.S. has won gold at the IIHF World Men’s Under-18 Championship in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2023 with teams comprised primarily of NTDP players. With a team comprised largely of NTDP players, the U.S. won its first-ever gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2004, and added gold medals in 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2024, and 2025, plus a bronze medal in 2011.
Upcoming home games include the U.S. National Under-18 Team vs. Adrian on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 7:00 pm as part of the Kroger College Series with Youth Hockey Night and a Plymouth Third Jersey promotion, and the U.S. National Under-18 Team vs. Trine on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 7:00 pm as part of the Kroger College Series with Star Wars Night and the Force to End Hunger promotion.
Several well-known players and coaches have described their time or views on the NTDP. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson called his time at the NTDP “a big turning point” in his career and described the training as “second to none,” also noting the chance to represent his country. Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler said that playing for one’s country is “one of the greatest things any athlete can do” and that the NTDP’s on- and off-ice programs built the foundation he needed as a player. Nashville Predators head coach Phil Housley said that for a junior player in the U.S. who wants to “push yourself to the limits,” the NTDP offers access to “outstanding coaches and great facilities and tough competition,” especially at the Under-18 level. Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane said he “really enjoyed” his time there and called it a “huge part” of his development, noting that Coach John Hynes was demanding while trying to get the best out of him. Nashville Predators draft pick Seth Jones said the NTDP “helped me a ton,” explaining that he went there to develop on and off the ice, worked out very hard, and left after two years weighing 20–25 pounds more, which he identified as his main goal.
Last updated January 5, 2026.
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