General | 10/27/2025 12:49:01 PM
Before we flip the calendar to November, Ryan Sikes gives his power rankings around the USHL.
1. Muskegon Lumberjacks (10-2-0-0) | Previous Rank: 2
The Lumberjacks move to the top of our power rankings after going 8-2-0-0 in their last ten games. Melvin Novotny (BUF) has been a significant contributor in his first season, accounting for six goals and 13 points in 12 games. Added, Muskegon saw Tynan Lawrence return from injury this past weekend. The 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospect notched a goal and an assist in his first two games.
2. Dubuque Fighting Saints (9-2-0-0) | Previous Rank: 1
Dubuque drops to No. 2 in our power rankings despite an impressive 8-2-0-0 record over its last 10 games. The Fighting Saints remain unbeaten on home ice. 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Hayden Russell has been a pleasant surprise in his rookie campaign, tallying three goals and 15 points in just 11 games. Dubuque leads the USHL in scoring with 62 goals, and seven players have already hit double digits in points.
3. Sioux Falls Stampede (8-3-1-0) | Previous Rank: 6
Sioux Falls climbs to the No. 3 spot in the rankings after earning points in eight of its last ten games. The Herd sit atop the Western Conference standings. Brent Solomon is tied for the league lead with 15 points, including eight on the power play. Defenseman Jake Prunty has also stood out, tallying 10 points despite playing in only five games to date.
4.Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7-3-0-1) | Previous Rank: 4
The RoughRiders hold firm at No. 4 in our latest power rankings after posting a solid 6-3-0-1 record over their last 10 games. Rookie forward David Bosco has been really impressive, leading all first-year skaters in both goals (6) and points (12). Phase II pick Justin Graf has also been a major contributor, notching six goals and 11 points. In net, Ryan Cameron has been a steady presence with a 2.88 goals-against average and five wins already.
5. Youngstown Phantoms (8-4-1-0) | Previous Rank: 3
Youngstown drops a couple of spots in our rankings after going 5-4-1-0 in their last 10 games. The Phantoms split their two-game series with Sioux City over the weekend. Ryan Rucinski and Cooper Simpson continue to lead the offense with Simpson posting a league-best 15 points. Malachi McKinnon has been impressive as well, adding five goals and seven assists.
6. Fargo Force (7-2-0-1) | Previous Rank: 9
Fargo’s five-game win streak ended on Sunday, but the Force moved up in this week’s power rankings. The Force currently sit second in the Western Conference standings. Luke McNamara is off to a strong first season with four goals and 10 points. Ajay White has been outstanding in net, leading all goaltenders with a 1.13 goals-against average along with one shutout.
7. Chicago Steel (7-4-0-0) | Previous Rank: 8
Chicago has won six of their last ten games and is coming off a weekend split of a two-game home-and-home series with Green Bay. Washington Capitals draft pick Jackson Crowder is off to a strong start, posting three goals and 12 points, while extending his point streak to four games. Rookie forward James Scantlebury has played well, ranking second among first-year skaters with 11 points.
8. Des Moines Buccaneers (5-3-2-2) | Previous Rank: 7
Des Moines lands at the No. 8 spot in our rankings after going 4-2-2-2 over their last ten games, which includes a two-game win streak. 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Blake Zielinski has gotten off to a good start with 11 points (2-9–11) in 12 games. Ryland Randle has made an immediate impact since being acquired from Green Bay, tallying nine points, the second-most among defensemen in the league.
9. Green Bay Gamblers (6-6-0-1) | Previous Rank: 10
The Gamblers are up one spot in this installment of the power rankings after posting a solid 6-4-0-0 record over their last ten games. Up front, Elliot Gulley and Landon Hafele have been significant contributors on offense, each recording 13 points, tied for the third-most in the USHL. Between the pipes, Leo Henriquez has been a steady presence with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, both ranking third among all goaltenders.
10. Madison Capitols (6-5-0-0) | Previous Rank: 5
The Capitols moved down in these rankings, going 5-5-0-0 over their last ten games. Offensively, Sam Kappell has been a bright spot, netting seven goals, tied for the fourth-most in the league. Max Rider has played well in his first season as well, racking up three goals and nine points. In goal, North Dakota commit Caleb Heil has been reliable, earning five wins and posting a 2.77 goals-against average.
11. Tri-City Storm (6-6-1-0) | Previous Rank: 14
Despite a slow start, Tri-City has started to find its rhythm. The Storm have earned points in six of their last ten games. Carson Pilgrim extended his point streak to five games and goal streak to three on Sunday, bringing his total to 10 points in 13 games. Bode Laylin has also been productive, sitting tied for third among defensemen with eight points.
12. Sioux City Musketeers (4-6-1-0) | Previous Rank: 11
Sioux City looks to build on last season’s success but has gone 4-5-1-0 in its last ten games. William Tomko leads the team offensively with 10 points in 10 games after scoring twice on Sunday. In goal, Jack Fichthorn has been solid, posting a 2.79 goals-against average through four appearances.
13. Lincoln Stars (4-7-0-0) | Previous Rank: 16
Lincoln moves up in the power rankings but has won just four of its last ten games. Alex Pelletier leads the league with 10 goals scored, while Layne Loomer has added 11 points. In goal, William Prowse has been strong, posting a 2.32 goals-against average, ranking sixth among USHL goaltenders.
14. NTDP (2-8-3-0) | Previous Rank: 12
The NTDP has struggled early, earning just one win in their last ten games. Christian Semetsis, Rocco Pelosi and Jake Boguniecki scored their first career USHL goals for the NTDP U17 team this past weekend. Sammy Nelson has contributed four points in four games for the U18s.
15. Omaha Lancers (3-11-0-0) | Previous Rank: 15
Omaha snapped a six-game losing streak on Sunday and held firm to their previous ranking. Ryan Aaronson leads the team with six goals and nine points. Kole Hyles has contributed four goals and eight points since joining in a preseason trade from Cedar Rapids.
16. Waterloo Black Hawks (2-7-0-1) | Previous Rank: 13
Waterloo looks to turn things around after losing eight of their last ten games, including five straight. Ty Mason and Viktor Eriksson each lead the team with five goals. Adyn Merrick has had three points in three games since joining from Sioux Falls.
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).