Men's Ice Hockey | 3/11/2026 11:00:00 AM

Skating has always been the foundation of Bode Laylin’s game. Now, the 18-year-old Tri-City Storm defenseman is pairing that mobility with growing responsibility in a breakout season in the United States Hockey League.

The 5’11”, 179-pound right-shot defenseman from St. Michael, Minnesota, has emerged as one of Tri-City’s most trusted players, logging big minutes per night and in all situations. 

This increased opportunity has led to immediate production. Laylin has 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 47 games, already surpassing his 2024-25 season total of 19 points.

Laylin’s attention to detail is a byproduct of his environment. His brothers, Luc and Casy, who both played in the USHL, established the standard for his development. Competing against them provided a built-in advantage because both siblings are forwards. 
Laylin developed his defensive details against high-end offensive pressure long before he reached the junior ranks.

“Competing against them all the time helped me become who I am today and seeing them gives me insight on what forwards do,” Laylin said. “I know what forwards are looking at as a defenseman, and then when I have the puck, I know what to do against other defensemen.”
That routine remains a staple of his offseason. Laylin continues to train with his brothers and their teammates to maintain a high competitive ceiling. 

That constant preparation has turned him into a primary option for Tri-City, where he serves as an alternate captain and is consistently tasked with neutralizing the opposition's top lines.

First-year Storm head coach John Torchetti has noted the immediate impact.

“To say Bode has been integral to our team this year is an understatement,” Torchetti said. “He's often playing around 25 minutes per night and sets an incredible example for his teammates. His leadership has helped our group tremendously this year. 
“Bode has grown massively on the ice, especially without the puck through his decision making and awareness. He also has strong defensive and offensive hockey sense. Bode is also a great person who's extremely coachable. We trust him a lot.”

With that trust has come a sophisticated ability to balance offensive instincts with defensive responsibility. Laylin’s identity centers on his ability to move the puck efficiently through transition, making a clean first pass or beating the first forechecker to exit the zone.
He has also become a focal point of the Storm’s special teams. Laylin’s 96 shots on goal are tied for seventh among USHL defensemen, and his five power-play goals are tied for second. He recently showcased his clutch factor during a mid-February stretch that earned him USHL Defenseman of the Week honors for the second time in three weeks.

“I’ve been shooting the puck a lot,” Laylin said. “The more I shoot, the more opportunities I get for my teammates to score. Just demanding the puck from my teammates, too. They look for me, I look for them, and it’s clicking for us right now.”

Scouts are taking notice of this consistency. Laylin was ranked No. 103 among North American skaters in the Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, a position bolstered last December when he helped Team USA capture a gold medal at the 2025 World Junior A Challenge. 

He was also selected to participate in the 2026 Chipotle All-American Game, an annual showcase featuring the top NHL draft-eligible players in the league.

While the University of St. Thomas commit is honored by the recognition, he remains focused on the physical jump required for the NCAA.

“It’s a huge honor,” he said. “I’m very blessed to be ranked. But there’s a lot of work to do and that’s just a number and a list. I’m just going to keep working and not look too much into that.”

As the regular season enters its final stretch, Laylin’s focus is on leading Tri-City toward a Clark Cup. When asked what NHL teams would be getting in him as a player, the answer is simple.

“I’d say a dog that wants to win,” he said. “I’ll compete and work hard. Everything comes with that.”

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and eight of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel).

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 90% 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 Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).