General | 10/7/2025 9:55:00 AM
The United States Hockey League (USHL) has more than 185 alumni on NHL Opening Night rosters for the 2025-26 season.
Headlined by a group of returning NHL All-Stars in Auston Matthews (NTDP, Toronto Maple Leafs), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede, Boston Bruins), and Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms, Winnipeg Jets), the USHL will witness the next generation of talent evolve at the game's highest stage through the likes of Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel, San Jose Sharks), Artyom Levshunov (Green Bay Gamblers, Chicago Blackhawks), and Noah Laba (Lincoln Stars, New York Rangers).
- Every NHL team features USHL alumni on its roster. The Chicago Blackhawks lead the way with 12 former USHLers, followed by the Buffalo Sabres (11), Anaheim Ducks (9), and Boston Bruins (9).
- The USA Hockey NTDP leads USHL with 80 alumni, followed by the Chicago Steel (17), Tri-City Storm (11), and Omaha Lancers (10).
- NHL head coaches with USHL head coaching experience include Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning, Green Bay Gamblers), Jim Montgomery (St. Louis Blues, Dubuque Fighting Saints), Jeff Blashill (Indiana Ice, Chicago Blackhawks), and Dan Muse (Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Steel/NTDP).
- 282 total alumni played in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, comprising 28% of players who appeared in a game. Thirty-eight USHL alumni made their NHL debuts last season.
| NHL Team |
Position |
Player |
USHL Team |
| Anaheim Ducks |
D |
Ian Moore |
CHI |
| Anaheim Ducks |
F |
Sam Coangelo |
CHI |
| Anaheim Ducks |
D |
Drew Helloson |
NTDP |
| Anaheim Ducks |
F |
Ryan Poehling |
LIN |
| Anaheim Ducks |
F |
Frank Vatrano |
NTDP |
| Anaheim Ducks |
D |
Jacob Trouba |
NTDP |
| Anaheim Ducks |
F |
Troy Terry |
NTDP |
| Anaheim Ducks |
D |
Jackson LaCombe |
CHI |
| Anaheim Ducks |
F |
Cutter Gauthier |
NTDP |
| Boston Bruins |
D |
Charlie McAvoy |
BOS |
| Boston Bruins |
F |
Sean Kuraly |
IND |
| Boston Bruins |
F |
John Beecher |
NTDP |
| Boston Bruins |
F |
Michael Eyssimont |
FGO, SF |
| Boston Bruins |
D |
Jordan Harris |
YNG |
| Boston Bruins |
D |
Andrew Peeke |
GB |
| Boston Bruins |
F |
Casey Mittelstadt |
GB |
| Boston Bruins |
D |
Mason Lohrei |
GB |
| Boston Bruins |
G |
Jeremy Swayman |
SF |
| Buffalo Sabres |
F |
Josh Doan |
CHI |
| Buffalo Sabres |
D |
Michael Kessering |
DM, FGO |
| Buffalo Sabres |
F |
Jordan Greenway |
NTDP |
| Buffalo Sabres |
F |
Josh Norris |
NTDP |
| Buffalo Sabres |
D |
Owen Power |
CHI |
| Buffalo Sabres |
D |
Mattias Samuelsson |
NTDP |
| Buffalo Sabres |
F |
Tage Thompson |
NTDP |
| Buffalo Sabres |
F |
Alex Tuch |
NTDP |
| Buffalo Sabres |
F |
Jason Zucker |
NTDP |
| Buffalo Sabres |
D |
Jacob Bryson |
OMA |
| Buffalo Sabres |
G |
Alex Lyon |
CR, OMA |
| Calgary Flames |
F |
Matt Coranato |
CHI |
| Calgary Flames |
F |
Adam Klapka |
TC |
| Calgary Flames |
F |
Blake Coleman |
TC, IND |
| Calgary Flames |
F |
Joel Farabee |
NTDP |
| Calgary Flames |
F |
Ryan Lomberg |
MUS, YNG |
| Calgary Flames |
F |
Matvei Gridin |
MUS |
| Calgary Flames |
F |
Martin Pospisal |
SC |
| Calgary Flames |
G |
Devin Cooley |
MUS |
| Carolina Hurricanes |
F |
K'Andre Miller |
NTDP |
| Carolina Hurricanes |
F |
Erik Robinson |
DBQ |
| Carolina Hurricanes |
D |
Jacob Slavin |
CHI |
| Carolina Hurricanes |
F |
Jackson Blake |
CHI |
| Carolina Hurricanes |
F |
Andrei Svechnikov |
CHI |
| Carolina Hurricanes |
G |
Brandon Bussi |
MUS |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
F |
Joey Anderson* |
NTDP |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
F |
Ryan Donato |
OMA |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
D |
Artyom Levshunov |
GB |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
D |
Alex Vlasic |
NTDP |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
F |
Landon Slaggert* |
NTDP |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
D |
Sam Rinzel |
WAT |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
F |
Frank Nazar |
NTDP |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
D |
Connor Murphy |
NTDP |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
D |
Matt Grzelcyk |
NTDP |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
D |
Wyatt Kaiser |
DBQ |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
F |
Ryan Greene |
GB |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
G |
Spencer Knight |
NTDP |
| Colorado Avalanche |
F |
Jack Drury |
WAT |
| Colorado Avalanche |
F |
Logan O'Connor* |
SF |
| Colorado Avalanche |
F |
Ross Colton |
CR |
| Colorado Avalanche |
D |
Sam Malinski |
CR |
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
D |
Ivan Provorov |
CR |
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
F |
Cole Sillinger |
SF |
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
F |
Adam Fantilli |
CHI |
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
D |
Zach Werenski |
NTDP |
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
F |
Zach Aston-Reese |
DM, LIN |
| Dallas Stars |
D |
Trey Taylor |
YNG |
| Dallas Stars |
G |
Casey DeSmith |
IND |
| Dallas Stars |
G |
Jake Oettinger |
NTDP |
| Detroit Red Wings |
F |
Andrew Copp |
NTDP |
| Detroit Red Wings |
F |
Dylan Larkin |
NTDP |
| Detroit Red Wings |
F |
J.T. Compher |
NTDP |
| Detroit Red Wings |
F |
Mason Appelton |
TC |
| Detroit Red Wings |
G |
John Gibson |
NTDP |
| Edmonton Oilers |
F |
Isaac Howard |
NTDP |
| Edmonton Oilers |
F |
Max Jones |
NTDP |
| Edmonton Oilers |
D |
Ty Emberson |
NTDP |
| Edmonton Oilers |
F |
Trent Frederic |
NTDP |
| Florida Panthers |
F |
A.J. Greer |
DM |
| Florida Panthers |
F |
Mackie Samoskevich |
CHI |
| Florida Panthers |
D |
Jeff Petry |
DM |
| Florida Panthers |
F |
Luke Kunin |
NTDP |
| Florida Panthers |
D |
Seth Jones |
NTDP |
| Florida Panthers |
F |
Matthew Tkachuk* |
NTDP |
| Florida Panthers |
F |
Tyler Motte |
NTDP |
| Los Angeles Kings |
F |
Alex Laferriere |
DM |
| Los Angeles Kings |
F |
Alex Turcotte |
NTDP |
| Los Angeles Kings |
F |
Trevor Moore |
TC |
| Los Angeles Kings |
D |
Mikey Anderson |
WAT |
| Minnesota Wild |
F |
Matt Boldy |
NTDP |
| Minnesota Wild |
D |
Zeev Buium |
NTDP |
| Minnesota Wild |
D |
Brock Faber |
NTDP |
| Minnesota Wild |
F |
Ryan Hartman |
NTDP |
| Minnesota Wild |
F |
Vinnie Hinostroza |
WAT |
| Minnesota Wild |
F |
Nico Sturm |
TC |
| Montreal Canadiens |
F |
Zachary Bolduc |
SC |
| Montreal Canadiens |
D |
Lane Hutson |
NTDP |
| Montreal Canadiens |
D |
Mike Matheson |
DBQ |
| Montreal Canadiens |
F |
Cole Caufield |
NTDP |
| Montreal Canadiens |
G |
Jakub Dobes |
OMA |
| Nashville Predators |
F |
Michael McCarron |
NTDP |
| Nashville Predators |
D |
Brady Skjei |
NTDP |
| Nashville Predators |
D |
Nick Perbix |
OMA |
| Nashville Predators |
D |
Spencer Stastney |
NTDP |
| Nashville Predators |
F |
Erik Haula |
OMA |
| New Jersey Devils |
D |
Luke Hughes |
NTDP |
| New Jersey Devils |
F |
Paul Cotter |
LIN |
| New Jersey Devils |
F |
Jack Hughes |
NTDP |
| New Jersey Devils |
D |
Seamus Casey |
NTDP |
| New York Islanders |
D |
Tony DeAngelo |
CR |
| New York Islanders |
F |
Anders Lee |
GB |
| New York Islanders |
D |
Scott Mayfield |
YNG |
| New York Rangers |
F |
J.T. Miller |
NTDP |
| New York Rangers |
D |
Adam Fox |
NTDP |
| New York Rangers |
F |
Jonny Brodzinski |
FGO |
| New York Rangers |
D |
Will Borgen |
OMA |
| New York Rangers |
F |
Noah Laba |
LIN |
| Ottawa Senators |
D |
Nick Jensen |
GB |
| Ottawa Senators |
F |
Shane Pinto |
LIN, TC |
| Ottawa Senators |
D |
Jake Sanderson |
NTDP |
| Ottawa Senators |
F |
Brady Tkachuk |
NTDP |
| Ottawa Senators |
D |
Tyler Kleven* |
NTDP |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
F |
Trevor Zegras |
NTDP |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
F |
Bobby Brink |
SC |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
D |
Nick Seeler |
MUS, DM |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
F |
Christian Dvorak |
CHI |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
F |
Noah Cates |
OMA |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
D |
Cam York |
NTDP |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
G |
Dan Vladar |
CHI |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
D |
Caleb Jones |
NTDP |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
D |
Connor Clifton |
NTDP |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
F |
Tommy Novak |
WAT |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
D |
Ryan Shea |
YNG |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
F |
Bryan Rust* |
NTDP |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
F |
Blake Lizotte |
NTDP |
| San Jose Sharks |
F |
Macklin Celebrini |
CHI |
| San Jose Sharks |
D |
Mario Ferraro |
DM |
| San Jose Sharks |
D |
Will Smith |
NTDP |
| San Jose Sharks |
F |
Adam Gaudette |
CR |
| Seattle Kraken |
D |
Ryan Lindgren |
NTDP |
| Seattle Kraken |
D |
Jamie Oleksiak |
CHI, SF |
| Seattle Kraken |
F |
Brandon Montour |
WAT |
| Seattle Kraken |
F |
Jaden Schwartz |
TC |
| Seattle Kraken |
F |
Eeli Tolvanen |
SC |
| Seattle Kraken |
F |
Matty Beniers |
NTDP |
| Seattle Kraken |
G |
Joey Daccord |
MUS |
| St. Louis Blues |
D |
Justin Faulk |
NTDP |
| St. Louis Blues |
D |
Matt Kessel |
FGO, CHI, SF |
| St. Louis Blues |
D |
Torey Krug* |
IND |
| St. Louis Blues |
F |
Jimmy Snuggerud |
NTDP |
| St. Louis Blues |
F |
Nathan Walker |
YNG |
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
D |
Maxwell Crozier |
SF |
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
F |
Jake Guentzel |
SC |
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
F |
Zemgus Girgensons |
DBQ |
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
F |
Mitchell Chaffee |
BLM, FGO |
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
G |
Phoenix Copley |
TC, DM |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
F |
Auston Matthews |
NTDP |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
D |
Jake McCabe |
NTDP |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
F |
Matias Maccelli |
DBQ |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
D |
Henry Thrun |
NTDP, DBQ |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
F |
Matthew Knies |
TC |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
F |
Dakota Joshua |
NTDP, SF |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
G |
Cayden Primeau |
LIN |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
G |
Joseph Woll |
NTDP |
| Utah Mammoth |
F |
Nate Schmidt |
FGO |
| Utah Mammoth |
F |
Nick Schmaltz |
GB |
| Utah Mammoth |
D |
John Marino |
TC |
| Utah Mammoth |
F |
Clayton Keller |
NTDP |
| Utah Mammoth |
F |
Logan Cooley |
NTDP |
| Vancouver Canucks |
F |
Kiefer Sherwood |
NTDP, YNG |
| Vancouver Canucks |
D |
Quinn Hughes |
NTDP |
| Vancouver Canucks |
F |
Conor Garland |
MUS |
| Vancouver Canucks |
D |
Derek Forbort |
NTDP |
| Vancouver Canucks |
F |
Brock Boeser |
WAT |
| Vancouver Canucks |
G |
Thatcher Demko |
OMA, NTDP |
| Vegas Golden Knights |
F |
Brandon Saad |
NTDP |
| Vegas Golden Knights |
D |
Noah Hanifin |
NTDP |
| Vegas Golden Knights |
F |
Jack Eichel |
NTDP |
| Vegas Golden Knights |
G |
Akira Schmid |
OMA, SC |
| Washington Capitals |
F |
Brandon Duhaime |
CHI, TC |
| Washington Capitals |
D |
John Carlson |
IND |
| Washington Capitals |
F |
Nic Dowd |
IND |
| Washington Capitals |
F |
Sonny Milano |
NTDP |
| Washington Capitals |
D |
Matt Roy |
IND |
| Washington Capitals |
F |
Ryan Leonard |
NTDP |
| Washington Capitals |
G |
Charlie Lindgren |
SF |
| Winnipeg Jets |
F |
Morgan Barron |
SC |
| Winnipeg Jets |
F |
Kyle Connor |
YNG |
| Winnipeg Jets |
F |
Neal Pionk |
SC |
| Winnipeg Jets |
F |
Alex Iafallo |
FGO |
| Winnipeg Jets |
F |
Cole Koepke |
SC |
| Winnipeg Jets |
D |
Dylan Samberg* |
WAT |
*Data includes players who are on injured reserve or long-term injured reserve to open the season, or who have been designated injured/non-roster.
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).
More.