General | 12/29/2025 1:34:33 PM

Coming out of the holiday break, Ryan Sikes delivers his latest United States Hockey League (USHL) power rankings.

    1. Youngstown Phantoms (21-7-1-1) | Previous Rank: 2

Youngstown sits first in the Eastern Conference with 44 points and has been dominant recently, going 9-1-0-0 in its last ten games. The Phantoms are led offensively by Cooper Simpson (39 points) and Ryan Rucinski (37 points). Youngstown has been strong defensively as well, allowing just 68 goals on the season, the fewest in the league. In net, Tobias Trejbal has been a big reason for that, accounting a 2.07 GAA, .917 save percentage, and 14 wins.

    2. Green Bay Gamblers (20-7-2-1) | Previous Rank: 3

Green Bay is second in the Eastern Conference with 43 points and rides a remarkable 12-game win streak. Zach Wooten (33 points) and Elliot Gulley (32 points) fuel an offense that ranks second in goals scored overall. Goaltender Leo Henriquez leads all qualified goaltenders with a 1.93 GAA and .928 save percentage.

    3. Muskegon Lumberjacks (21-8-0-0) | Previous Rank: 1

Muskegon moves down to third in the Eastern Conference and third in our power rankings. The ‘Jacks have gone 6-4-0-0 in its last ten contests. Melvin Novotny leads the team with 29 points. The Lumberjacks have allowed just 73 goals, the second-fewest in the league. Carl Axelsson has been outstanding in goal with a league-best 15 wins, a 2.06 GAA, and a .931 save percentage.

    4. Sioux Falls Stampede (18-10-1-0) | Previous Rank: 4

Sioux Falls occupies first place in the Western Conference with 37 points and a 6-4-0-0 record over its last ten games. Thomas Zocco (33 points) and Logan Renkowski (29 points) headline a high-octane offense. The Stampede have paired scoring with solid defensive efforts, allowing fewer than 90 goals. Linards Feldbergs anchors the crease with 14 wins, a 2.50 GAA, and a .911 save percentage.

    5. Dubuque Fighting Saints (18-9-1-0) | Previous Rank: 6

Dubuque sits fourth in the Eastern Conference with 37 points and has gone 4-5-1-0 in its last ten games. Teddy Merrill and Michael Barron pace a high-scoring Fighting Saints lineup that leads the USHL in goals scored (129). Goaltender Vojtech Hambalek has earned 13 wins with a 2.94 GAA in net.

    6. Fargo Force (17-10-1-1) | Previous Rank: 7

Fargo is second in the Western Conference with 36 points and sits just one point back of first. Fargo has allowed just 77 goals, one of the lowest totals in the West. Ajay White has been excellent in net with a 2.15 GAA, .920 save percentage, and 12 wins.

    7. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (16-8-1-2) | Previous Rank: 5

Cedar Rapids sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with 35 points and has posted a 6-3-1-0 record over its last ten games. Jason Musa (30 points) and Justin Graf (29 points) lead an offensive attack that has scored the third-most goals in the league. Netminder Ryan Cameron has recorded 12 wins paired with a 3.00 GAA.

    8. Lincoln Stars (15-12-1-0) | Previous Rank: 8

Lincoln has moved up to third in the Western Conference with 31 points and is 6-3-1-0 over its last ten games. Boston College commit Alex Pelletier leads the entire USHL with 40 points, with teammate Layne Loomer not far behind at 38. William Prowse has delivered stability in goal with 12 wins and a 2.42 GAA.

    9. Madison Capitols (14-11-0-2) | Previous Rank: 10

Madison is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 30 points and has gone 5-5-0-0 in its last ten games. Rookie Michael Tang has been a key contributor among first-year players, with 13 points in 23 games. Goaltender Caleb Heil has posted a 2.60 GAA and 10 wins in 16 appearances.

    10. Sioux City Musketeers (14-16-1-0) | Previous Rank: 12

Sioux City stands fourth in the Western Conference with 29 points and a 6-4-0-0 mark in its last ten games. Trey Jefferis and Will Tomko (30 points each) and defenseman Shayne Gould (27 points) headline an offense that has the second-most goals in the West. Jack Fichthorn has handled heavy minutes in goal, posting a 3.78 GAA.

    11. Chicago Steel (12-12-4-1) | Previous Rank: 9

Chicago has dropped down to seventh in the Eastern Conference with 29 points and has struggled recently at 2-4-3-1 in its last ten games. Tobias Ohman and Kolin Sisson are off to strong starts, each with at least 23 points.

    12. Tri-City Storm (12-15-3-1) | Previous Rank: 13

Tri-City has moved up in the Western Conference after a slow start but have gone just 4-5-1-0 over its last ten. Offense has been difficult to come by, with just 70 goals scored on the season. Defenseman Bode Laylin leads the Storm from the blue line, with 15 points in 26 games. Michal Pradel has been excellent in goal, with a 2.46 GAA and .916 save percentage.

    13. Des Moines Buccaneers (9-12-2-4) | Previous Rank: 11

The Bucs are sixth in the Western Conference with 24 points but have gone 2-7-0-1 in its last ten games. Ryan Seelinger leads Des Moines with 30 points. Alan Lendak, who recently came over in a trade with Fargo, owns a 2.45 GAA in his first 11 appearances this year.

    14. Waterloo Black Hawks (9-16-1-1) | Previous Rank: 14

Waterloo sits seventh in the Western Conference with 20 points and is 3-6-1-0 over its last ten. Ryan Whiterabbit leads the defense corps with 16 points. Goaltender Phileas Lachat has faced heavy workloads, resulting in a 3.73 GAA.

    15. Omaha Lancers (8-21-1-2) | Previous Rank: 15

Omaha sits last in the Western Conference with 19 points and has gone 4-4-0-2 in its last ten. Rookie Adam Israilov has emerged as a key offensive contributor, with 12 points in 28 games thus far.

    16. USA Hockey NTDP (6-16-3-1) | Previous Rank: 16

The NTDP are still looking to right the ship and have gone 2-7-0-1 in its last ten games. Nolan Fitzhenry leads all Team USA skaters with 13 points in 18 USHL games. Nate Chizik had a nice showing in the U17’s win over Muskegon over the weekend, stopping 37-of-39 in net.