NEW YORK (May 7, 2026) – The National Hockey League (NHL), USA Hockey, and the United States Hockey League (USHL) today announced an expanded collaboration supporting the continued advancement of the Tier I junior hockey development pathway in the United States.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the environment in which elite hockey players train, compete, and prepare for advancement to NCAA Division I hockey and potentially to the National Hockey League. While the primary focus of this initiative is the continued development of American players within the United States pathway, the USHL will also continue to welcome international players who have consistently contributed to the League’s competitive environment and the overall player experience.

Through this agreement and the organizations’ shared Declaration of Excellence, which was formally announced in April 2025, the NHL, USA Hockey, and the USHL will continue working together to enhance player development standards, strengthen player support systems, and expand access to Tier I opportunities for elite players across the United States.

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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 nine 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).