Men's Ice Hockey | 3/23/2026 11:02:04 AM

Tyson Gross became the 20th United States Hockey League (USHL) alumnus to make his NHL debut this season, suiting up for the Calgary Flames in his hometown on Sunday.

The Calgary, Alberta native skated for the Fargo Force and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders from 2021-23, where he had 11 goals and 32 assists with Cedar Rapids and four helpers with Fargo for a total of 36 assists in the USHL. He continued his development with a standout collegiate career at St. Cloud State, accumulating 34 goals and 52 assists in three seasons as a forward for the Huskies. Gross signed his entry-level contract following his junior year. 

“It’s obviously extremely special,” Gross said. “I’ve watched a million games here, so to be able to be out there and actually play in one is a pretty crazy thing.”

Gross learned of his debut the day prior while spending time with family, receiving the news from his head coach ahead of Calgary’s matchup against Tampa Bay at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

He finished the night with 8:07 of ice time across 11 shifts, adding another memorable step in his path from the USHL to the NHL.

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).