General | 10/8/2025 1:37:27 PM
As the 2025–26 NHL season begins, the United States Hockey League (USHL) is once again well-represented across the league, with more than 185 alumni featured on Opening Night rosters.
Ryan Sikes highlighted some of the top USHL alumni to watch this season in the NHL.
Macklin Celebrini, F, San Jose Sharks (Chicago Steel)
Celebrini posted a strong rookie campaign, putting up 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games for the Sharks. For his efforts, the former No. 1 overall pick was named a Calder Trophy finalist. Prior to reaching the NHL, Celebrini played a season with the Chicago Steel, where he posted 46 goals and 86 points and became the first skater to be named the league’s Rookie, Forward, and Player of the Year.
Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild (NTDP)
Now entering his third NHL season, Faber recorded 10 goals and 19 points in 78 games last year. Before joining the Wild, he was a standout at the NTDP, where he collected nine points in 19 USHL games during the 2019–20 season before going on to play three years at the University of Minnesota.
Noah Laba, F, New York Rangers (Lincoln Stars)
Laba earned a spot on the Rangers’ Opening Night roster following an impressive preseason. The forward joined their AHL affiliate after completing his junior season at Colorado College, tallying three goals and five points in 11 games with Hartford. Before heading to the NCAA, Laba played two seasons with the Lincoln Stars and recorded 15 goals and 39 points in 50 games during the 2021–22 season.
Frank Nazar, F, Chicago Blackhawks (NTDP)
Nazar appeared in 53 games during his first full NHL season, also seeing time in 21 AHL contests. In Chicago, he was an offensive catalyst, recording 12 goals and 26 points. Before reaching the NHL, Nazar spent two years at the NTDP, where he notched 15 goals and 35 points in 24 USHL games during the 2021–22 season.
Matvei Gridin, F, Calgary Flames (Muskegon Lumberjacks)
At just 19 years old, Gridin has earned a spot on the Flames’ Opening Night roster. The Russian forward was selected No. 28 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft following a standout season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he scored 38 goals and led the league with 83 points.
Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars (NTDP)
Oettinger has become one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. The 26-year-old enters his sixth full season with the Stars, having posted a 2.59 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage with two shutouts in 58 games last year. He spent two seasons at the NTDP, where he recorded a 2.24 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in 15 USHL games during the 2015–16 season.
Adam Fantilli, F, Columbus Blue Jackets (Chicago Steel)
Fantilli, still just 20 years old, is entering his third NHL season. Last year, he set career highs with 31 goals and 54 points while playing in all 82 games. Before his NHL debut, he played two seasons with the Chicago Steel and recorded 37 goals and 37 assists for 74 points in 54 games during the 2021–22 season.
Josh Doan, F, Buffalo Sabres (Chicago Steel)
Doan begins his first season with the Sabres after being traded from Utah over the summer. The former Arizona State standout recorded seven goals and 19 points in the NHL last season, along with 26 points in the AHL. Before turning pro, Doan played two full seasons with the Chicago Steel, including a 31-goal, 70-point performance during the 2020–21 campaign.
Jimmy Snuggerud, F, St. Louis Blues (NTDP)
Snuggerud is set for his first full NHL season after signing with the Blues last spring. He recorded four points in seven games after finishing his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota. Earlier in his development, he played for the NTDP, where he produced 26 points in 26 USHL games during the 2021–22 season.
Cutter Gauthier, F, Anaheim Ducks (NTDP)
Gauthier had a breakout year with the Ducks last season, recording 20 goals and 44 points while playing in all 82 games. Before joining the NHL, he spent two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP), where he tallied 19 goals and 28 points in 22 USHL games during the 2021–22 season.
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.