General | 10/22/2025 2:48:48 PM

Landon Hafele knew he had more to prove. After two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan, the Fairbanks, Alaska, native made a calculated decision to stay in junior hockey for one more year.

This time, it would be with the Green Bay Gamblers, who selected him first overall in the 2025 USHL Phase II Draft.

Last season with the NTDP U18 team, the 6-foot, 187-pound left-shot forward scored nine goals and 15 points, including 12 points in USHL play. Now with the Gamblers, he is off to a fast start, recording five goals and five assists through the first 10 games while seeing significantly more ice time than he did a year ago.

Hafele’s 10 points are the second-most on the Green Bay roster, and his 34 shots on goal rank among the top ten in the USHL. It is a strong start to a critical season.

Originally, the 18-year-old planned to play his NHL Draft-eligible season at Arizona State. The Sun Devils were ready to bring him in, but after reviewing his own progress and analyzing the results of the 2025 NHL Draft, Hafele decided the best path forward was to stay back.

He wanted a year to focus solely on hockey, to build his confidence, and to take another step forward in his development. Having spent the last two seasons at the NTDP, he was already familiar with the USHL. He understood the pace, the development opportunities, and the physical demands of the league.

It also helped that Green Bay had positioned themselves by trading up to the top spot in the USHL Phase II Draft, a move that made it clear Hafele was their top priority.

“I wanted to go where I was wanted,” Hafele said. “I looked at the other leagues and weighed the back-and-forth, but I think knowing how the USHL works, I know the level, I know the training schedule, and I know that it’s a great developmental league.”

Shortly after the draft, Hafele received a phone call from former Gamblers forward Will Zellers, who shared his experience in Green Bay. Zellers scored a league-best 44 goals last year and was named the USHL’s Forward and Player of the Year in his only full season with the team.

That conversation gave Hafele valuable insight into the locker room from a player’s perspective.

Then came Main Camp, where the newest Gambler felt welcomed by everyone he met. A group chat was created for returners and new players, and it never really went quiet after that. Hafele said the tight-knit feel of the group has helped make the transition seamless.

“I haven’t been on a team that’s been as close as this group,” he said. “Everyone loves everybody. You’re always doing stuff together.”

The environment has helped him settle in and focus on his performance. Green Bay made it clear that opportunity would be there. Hafele came in ready to earn his minutes, and early in the season, he has done just that.

The result has been a major bump in ice time. He is playing nearly seven minutes more per game than he did last year. That increase includes time on special teams, including the penalty kill, which is a relatively new role for Hafele but one he takes great pride in.

That jump was not without a learning curve, especially in the first few games as his conditioning was tested to the new workload.

“I never really realized how many minutes add to your time on ice with special teams,” he laughed. “That was actually a thing, a hiccup to kind of get over as soon as I started playing here, just my endurance levels and getting used to playing that much during a game. But now I think I'm in great shape. I'm ready to go.”

On the ice, it is clear what Hafele brings to the table. He is a speedy, two-way forward who pays attention to defensive details. Paired with his acceleration and scoring touch, he is a true 200-foot player who can be relied on in all areas of the game.

His physicality has also stood out early in the season. He is winning puck battles in the corners and using his frame to create separation. In the faceoff circle, he has earned key draws, especially in the offensive zone on the power play where possession is crucial.

That was not always the case, though. Hafele was primarily a winger with the NTDP and seldom took faceoffs. This year in Green Bay, he asked for the chance to play both positions.

“I wanted to show my versatility,” Hafele said. “The first couple of games of the year, there's obviously going to be some hiccups switching from a position like that. I am getting used to all of the center-support things, the speed, and my draws, and I have been taking pride in those and really working on those.”

With the 2026 NHL Draft on the horizon, Hafele is working to balance the excitement with a steady mindset. 

The first Central Scouting rankings have already been released, and Hafele received a “B” rating, which suggests he is projected as a second- or third-round pick. He is proud to be listed but remains focused on the bigger picture.

“Every player wants to be that ‘A-ranked’ or first-round player. That’s every player’s goal, and I think I’m making steps in the right direction,” he said. 

“But I try not to look at those things too much. Just play hockey and play your game. Right now it’s the start of the season. There are a lot more games to go and a lot more time left.”

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading 16–to 20-year-old junior hockey league. During the 2024-25 season, USHL alumni held over 50% of NCAA Division I roster spots, and over 25% of NHL players had USHL experience. With 10 first-round selections and 49 total picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, the USHL has developed the most draft choices of any junior hockey league since 2012.

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 92% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel), Matthew Knies (Tri-City Storm), Adam Fantilli (Chicago Steel) and Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede).