The United States Hockey League (USHL) will host the 2026 Phase I Draft on Monday, May 4 at 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET and the 2025 Phase II Draft on Tuesday, May 5 at 11 a.m. CT/12 p.m. ET.
USHL Draft FAQs
Who is eligible for the USHL Draft?
Phase 1 – 16-year-old age category (2010 birth year)
Phase 2 – 17-year-old age category through 20-year-old age category (2009-2006 birth year)
Do I have to register for the USHL Draft?
No. Any player is eligible for the draft based on USHL age categories.
How many players can each team select in the USHL Draft?
Each team submits an Initial Protected List (IPL) of affiliate players they want to protect from the previous season, plus current tendered players who have been signed. In the Phase I Draft, teams make fifteen (15) selections. In the Phase II Draft, teams make selections until their list of fifty (50) is filled. A team's 50-man IPL is comprised of the IPL, Phase 1, and Phase 2 selections.
What is the order of the USHL Draft?
The order of the Phase 1 and Phase II selections is determined by the regular season standings, with the lowest team during the 2025-26 season having the first overall selection and subsequently selecting first in each round.
Affiliate Player FAQs
How do I become an affiliate player?
To be an eligible affiliate player, the player must be in the 18-year-old age category or younger (2010-2008 birth years). Teams must have drafted the player or added him as a free agent to the roster, and the player must acquire veteran player status (10 games played). Affiliate players can also replace a 16-year-old age-category player lost after the USHL Draft.
If drafted, am I on the roster or the affiliate list?
This is a team decision. Teams must submit their 30-man Active Player Roster and 26-man Affiliate List on July 10.
Can I be traded if I am an affiliate player?
Yes.
Can I be moved between the roster and the affiliate list?
Yes, but if you are a USA Hockey youth player and play a USHL game from the roster after December 31, you will be ineligible to return to the youth team.
USA Hockey Domestic Affiliate Player Policy
- Allows USA Hockey registered 16-, 17-, and 18-year-old age category players to participate on a USHL team.
- Affiliate Players can play up to ten (10) games per season but only six before March 1. After March 1, a player can play additional games once the player's current season has been completed, including USA Hockey Nationals.
- The affiliate player's parents and the current team's coach must give permission for the USHL team to use the player.