General | 11/25/2025 8:59:52 AM

At the end of November, Ryan Sikes delivers his latest USHL power rankings.

1. Muskegon Lumberjacks (15-5-0-0) | Previous Rank: 1

Muskegon remains atop the power rankings despite dropping three straight games. Buffalo Sabres draft pick Melvin Novotny is riding a three-game point streak and now sits at 12 goals and 24 points on the season. In net, Carl Axelsson continues to shine, as his 2.24 goals-against average ranks fourth in the league. The ‘Jacks will look to regroup in a midweek matchup with the NTDP before hosting Dubuque for a two-game set this weekend.

2. Dubuque Fighting Saints (14-5-1-0) | Previous Rank: 2

Dubuque holds firm at No. 2, sitting just one point behind Muskegon for first place in the East. Masun Fleece has been a goal-scoring machine with 15 tallies, the second-most in the league, while Teddy Merrill and Melvin Ekman also rank among the league’s top 15 point producers. The Fighting Saints host an in-state showdown with Des Moines on Wednesday as they look to restore their home-ice advantage after dropping their last two at ImOn Arena.

3. Youngstown Phantoms (13-6-1-1) | Previous Rank: 3

Youngstown stays at No. 3, just one point behind Dubuque and two back of Muskegon in the Eastern Conference standings. The Phantoms have earned points in seven of their last 10 outings, including each of their last three. Ryan Rucinski and Cooper Simpson continue to pace the offense, both ranking inside the USHL’s top three in points. Between the pipes, Tobias Trejbal has been steady, posting a 2.36 goals-against average, sixth-best in the league.

4. Sioux Falls Stampede (13-6-1-0) | Previous Rank: 8

Sioux Falls surges upward after an impressive two-week stretch. The Herd have won six of their last 10 contests and are riding a four-game winning streak. Brent Solomon snapped a four-game goal drought and now sits at 11 tallies through 20 games. In net, Linards Feldbergs has been reliable with a 2.30 goals-against average, ranking fifth in the league.

5. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (12-5-0-2) | Previous Rank: 5

Cedar Rapids holds firm at No. 5, but momentum is building after an impressive weekend sweep of first-place Muskegon. The RoughRiders have earned points in seven of their last 10 games, including four straight. Justin Graf scored twice over the weekend to bring his season total to 10 goals, while Jason Musa’s 22 points rank ninth in the league.

6. Madison Capitols (12-6-0-2) | Previous Rank: 6

Madison extended its points streak to eight games with a strong weekend against the NTDP. Gavin Uhlenkamp has been especially productive, recording eight points in his last three contests and totaling 17 points in 19 games this season. Gustavs Griva is off to an impressive start in his first USHL campaign, tallying seven goals and 17 points in 17 games. Goaltender Caleb Heil has been solid, posting a 2.60 goals-against average, ninth-best in the league.

7. Fargo Force (12-6-0-1) | Previous Rank: 7

Fargo has climbed to second place in the West, just two points behind Sioux Falls with a game in hand. Graham Jones leads the team with seven goals and ranks second with 11 points. Ajay White has been outstanding between the pipes, leading the league with a 1.79 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. The Force travel to Sioux Falls on Wednesday with first place on the line.

8. Green Bay Gamblers (11-7-2-1) | Previous Rank: 9

Green Bay moves up one spot after earning points in eight of its last 10 games, including a three-game winning streak. Elliot Gulley is riding a four-game goal streak, a stretch that includes a hat trick this past weekend. Additionally, Gavin Katz has emerged as one of the league’s top goal-scorers, recording 11 goals in 21 games.

9. Lincoln Stars (11-9-0-0) | Previous Rank: 11

Lincoln continues to rise after a slow start. The Stars have gone 7-3-0-0 in their last 10 games and carry a two-game win streak into the week. Alex Pelletier is on a four-game goal streak, tallying seven goals in that span. The Boston College commit leads the league in both goals (20) and points (29).

10. Chicago Steel (10-9-1-0) | Previous Rank: 4

Chicago falls several spots after a difficult stretch, dropping five straight and seven of its last 10. James Scantlebury scored his fifth of the season this past weekend and is now tied for fourth among USHL rookies in goals.

11. Des Moines Buccaneers (8-7-2-3) | Previous Rank: 10

Des Moines slips one spot after going 5-4-0-1 in its last 10 games, including a current two-game skid. Ryan Seelinger has goals in four of his last five contests and sits at 11 on the season to go with 19 points. Goaltender Max Weilandt’s 3.01 goals-against average ranks 13th among league netminders.

12. Tri-City Storm (8-11-2-1) | Previous Rank: 12

The Storm are still searching for consistency, going 3-5-1-1 in their last 10 games. Bode Laylin has been one of the league’s most impressive blueliners, racking up 14 points, which are the seventh-most among USHL defensemen.

13. Sioux City Musketeers (8-12-1-0) | Previous Rank: 13

Sioux City has gone 4-6-0-0 in its last 10 games and sits sixth in the West. William Tomko recently saw his three-game point streak end, but the Penn State commit has 21 points on the season, tied for tenth-most in the league.

14. Waterloo Black Hawks (6-11-0-1) | Previous Rank: 14

Waterloo looks to turn things around after going 4-6-0-0 in its last 10 games. Ty Mason extended his goal streak to three games this past weekend and now has 14 on the season, tied for the third-most in the league.

15. USA Hockey NTDP (4-11-3-0) | Previous Rank: 16

The U17s are coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of Madison, while the U18s dropped an exhibition game to North Dakota this past weekend. Carter Meyer scored for the U17s on Friday night, giving him five points in 11 USHL games this season.

16. Omaha Lancers (3-11-0-0) | Previous Rank: 15

Omaha has dropped six straight and eight of its last 10. Kole Hyles tallied his sixth goal of the season this past weekend and now has 11 points in 21 games overall.