General | 8/25/2025 9:54:21 AM
The 2025-26 USHL season begins Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the DICK’s Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic near Pittsburgh, Pa.
All 16 teams will play their first two regular-season games at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in front of hundreds of NHL scouts, general managers, and executives in preparation for the 2026 NHL Draft.
To help get you ready for the Fall Classic and the season ahead, here is an outlook and a few players to watch for the teams that play in the USHL’s Eastern Conference, with teams listed in alphabetical order.
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
2024-25 Record: 27-30-2-3, Lost in First Round of Clark Cup Playoffs
Players To Watch: Braiden Scuderi, Ryan Cameron, Grant Young
2025-26 Outlook: Cedar Rapids pushed Muskegon to a decisive Game 3 in the first round of the playoffs but saw its season come to an end. The RoughRiders made a major offseason move by trading for USA Hockey Goaltender of the Year Ryan Cameron and added high-profile tender Braiden Scuderi, who recorded 47 goals and 127 points with Mount St. Charles 15U. Cedar Rapids opens its schedule against Des Moines and Youngstown at the USHL Fall Classic.
Chicago Steel
2024-25 Record: 20-36-5-1, Missed Playoffs
Players To Watch: James Scantlebury, Ashton Schultz, Jackson Crowder
2025-26 Outlook: The Chicago Steel will look to return to the postseason after missing the playoffs for the first time in several years. They’ll rely on key returners Ashton Schultz and Jackson Crowder to help lead the way. Tender signing James Scantlebury joins the roster after a 35-goal, 100-point season with the BK Selects 16U team last year. Chicago opens its 2025-26 schedule against Sioux Falls and Omaha at the USHL Fall Classic.
Dubuque Fighting Saints
2024-25 Record: 41-18-1-2, Lost in Eastern Conference Finals of Clark Cup Playoffs
Players To Watch: Colin Frank, Michael Barron, Teddy Merrill
2025-26 Outlook: Dubuque reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year but fell to the eventual Clark Cup champions. Michael Barron returns to the Fighting Saints after recording 45 points in 61 games last season. Phase II draft pick Vojtech Hambalek will also look to help solidify the Saints’ goaltending group. Dubuque opens its season against Sioux City and Waterloo at the USHL Fall Classic.
Green Bay Gamblers
2024-25 Record: 27-31-2-2, Lost in First Round of Clark Cup Playoffs
Players To Watch: Landon Hafele, Gunnar Conboy, Oliver McKinney
2025-26 Outlook: The Gamblers’ season ended in the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs, but Green Bay is aiming for another postseason push. They’ll be boosted by two former NTDP skaters — forward Landon Hafele and defenseman Mace’o Phillips. The team also features two high-profile tender signings in Gunnar Conboy and Oliver McKinney. Green Bay opens its schedule against Omaha and Sioux Falls at the USHL Fall Classic.
Madison Capitols
2024-25 Record: 39-17-5-1, Lost in Eastern Conference Semifinals of Clark Cup Playoffs
Players To Watch: Sam Kappell, Michael Tang, Stephen Cover
2025-26 Outlook: The Caps secured the No. 3 seed in the Clark Cup Playoffs but were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With rookie sensation Ryker Lee now playing in the NCAA, Madison welcomes back Sam Kappell, who posted 32 points in 61 games last season. The Capitols will also introduce two highly regarded tender signings in Michael Tang and Stephen Cover. Madison faces Lincoln and Fargo at the USHL Fall Classic to open its 2025-26 campaign.
Muskegon Lumberjacks
2024-25 Record: 38-16-4-4, Won Clark Cup Championship
Players To Watch: Tynan Lawrence, Ty Bergeron, Jake Stuart
2025-26 Outlook: Muskegon reached the top last season, capturing the organization’s first-ever Clark Cup championship. Forward Tynan Lawrence returns and will look to establish himself as one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. Former NTDP forward Jake Stuart joins the roster for a third year of junior development, and tender signing Ty Bergeron is set to make his USHL debut. The Lumberjacks begin their title defense against Waterloo and Sioux City at the USHL Fall Classic.
USA Hockey NTDP
2024-25 Record: 23-35-2-2, Missed Playoffs
Players To Watch: Mikey Berchild (U18), Dayne Beuker (U18), Rocco Pelosi (U17)
2025-26 Outlook: The NTDP U17s will feature one of the program’s most talented groups, headlined by Boston College commit Rocco Pelosi and Boston University commit Carter Meyer. The U18s will be led by Mikey Berchild and Dayne Beuker. The U17s open their season against the Minnesota Mallards (NAHL), while the U18s kick off against Fargo and Lincoln at the USHL Fall Classic.
Youngstown Phantoms
2024-25 Record: 42-18-0-2, Lost in Eastern Conference Semifinals of Clark Cup Playoffs
Players To Watch: Jack Hextall, Logan Anderson, Cooper Simpson
2025-26 Outlook: Despite securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Youngstown saw its season come to an end in the second round of the playoffs. Jack Hextall headlines the roster after an impressive showing for Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and will look to further boost his draft stock ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Phantoms will welcome tender signing Logan Anderson, along with trade acquisition Cooper Simpson. Youngstown opens its schedule against Tri-City and Cedar Rapids at the USHL Fall Classic.
About the USHL
The United States Hockey League and its 16 member clubs are committed to being the world's leading 16–20-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.