2024 USHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2024 USHL Draft has future NHL talent on display with prospects in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: May 17, 2024.

1. USNTDP: Mikey Berchild, C, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-9 165 lb Mikey Berchild had 52 goals, 54 assists, and 106 points in 56 games with Shattuck St. Mary's 14U AAA Team in 2022-2023. Mikey Berchild had 21 goals, 39 assists, and 60 points in 49 games with Shattuck St. Mary's 18U Prep in 2023-2024.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 16, Mikey Berchild has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the USHL. Gavin McKenna is projected to go first overall, Ryan Roobroeck of the Niagara IceDogs is projected to go second overall in 2026, Ethan Belchetz the first pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection is projected to go third overall with Mikey Berchild potentially going as early as fourth overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with Berchild having a ceiling of fourth overall and a floor of tenth overall at the current moment.
   
   
   
2. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders: Thomas Vanderberg, C, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-11 161 lb Thomas Vanderberg had 24 goals, 19 assists, and 46 points in 26 games on the Ottawa Myers Automotive Under 18 AAA Team in 2023-2024. This is a mature player that can make an immediate impact next year. He's got an NHL shot, kills penalties, he's the complete package, and has some real offensive upside.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 15, Thomas Vanderberg has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the USHL. Thomas Vanderberg has a chance to be a first round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Des Moines Buccaneers: Blake Zielinski, RW, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-11 165 lb Blake Zielinski is one of the most complete players in the 2024 USHL Draft. Blake Zielinski had 26 goals, 26 assists, and 52 points in 22 games with the North Jersey Avalanche Under 15 AAA Team in 2023-2024.
   
   
   
   He has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Blake Zielinski scored a game-winning goal for his team at the Boston Bruins practice facility. He's a player who can make plays in traffic. He's strong on his edges. He's a no nonsense kid.
   
   
   
4. Green Bay Gamblers: Egor Shilov, C, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 146 lb Egor Shilov had 6 goals, 6 assists, and 12 points in 12 games in Russia. The Green Bay Gamblers drafted him fourth overall in the 2024 USHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Egor Shilov has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Egor Shilov can score and can dish it. Egor Shilov was expected to go here.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Chicago Steel: Callum Croskery, D, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Chicago Steel got the best player in the 2024 USHL Draft outside of Mikey Berchild at 5. The Chicago Steel's second round pick Adam Valentini was a first round pick in the 2024 OHL Draft and many USHL scouts argued that Valentini was the best USHL prospect outside of Mikey Berchild and Callum Croskery.
   
   
   
   The Chicago Steel were back-to-back Anderson Cup regular season Champions in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 before winning the 2021 Clark Cup in Adam Fantilli's rookie season becoming USHL Champions. The Chicago Steel also had the best regular season record in 2021-2022 before getting upset by the 5 seed Madison Capitols 2022 USHL Playoffs after earning a first round bye in the 12 team USHL Playoff. Chicago lost to the eventual 2023 Clark Cup Champion Youngstown Phantoms in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals before a setback season after losing Macklin Celebrini in 2023-2024.
   
   
   
   Look for the Chicago Steel to return to their contending ways following a first round exit in the 2024 USHL Playoffs as a five seed. Ryder Betzold who was drafted second overall with the Omaha Lancers first round pick in the 2023 USHL Draft should take over as the first line right winger next season with Lukas Sawchyn last years second 2023 first round pick should take over as the first line center after Michael Hage a first round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft took over as the first line center for Macklin Celebrini, who took over at first line center after Adam Fantilli enrolled in Michigan. Also look for Callum Croskery and Adam Valentini who were the number one and number two players in the 2024 USHL Draft that did not make the United States National Team Developmental Program to be immediate impact players. That's four potential impact players with Betzold, Sawchyn, Croskery, and Valentini with four first round talents in the last two USHL Drafts on the Chicago Steel.
   
   
   
   I believe Chicago is positioning themselves nicely for a second Clark Cup decade as the Chicago Steel have been the biggest powerhouse in the USHL outside of the United States National Team Developmental Program also known as USNTDP this decade. The Chicago Steel's first round pick in the 2024 USHL Draft, Callum Croskery, should be a first round defenseman in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 161 lb Callum Croskery had 12 goals, 40 assists, and 52 points in 2023-2024 on the Oakville Rangers Under 16 AAA Team. Callum Croskery is the best defenseman in the 2024 USHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Callum Croskery has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone' had Callum Croskery as their number one player here's what Brenden Collins, one of their scouts had to say. "He's a tall athletic highly mobile defenseman. He can play on the power play or the penalty kill on special teams. He led the Oakville Rangers in points during their run to the 2024 OHL Cup. Not only is Callum Croskery going to play in the USHL, he's expected to make an immediate impact."
   
   
   
6. Sioux Falls Stampede: Noah Kosick, C, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-8 134 lb Noah Kosick had 12 goals, 50 assists, and 62 points in 29 games with Pacific Coast Academy Under 18 Team in the CSSHL in 2023-2024. This center was good enough to go to the WHL and USH.
   
   
   
   Noah Kosick has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone' had Noah Kosick as their best player on the board at 6 here's what Brenden Collins, one of their scouts had to say. "This was the best player on the board as he did well in the CSSHL. He's one of the smartest players in this draft class with exceptional quickness. One of the only 2008's committed to Michigan. He's a high skill guy and he has proven himself at the U18 level. This is a big get for Sioux Falls and obviously they did their homework on him."
   
   
   
   
   
7. Tri-City Storm: Ilya Morozov, C, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The Tri-City Storm kept the Chicago Steel from winning the Anderson Cup for a third year in a row in 2021-2022. Tri-City lost to the eventual 2022 Clark Cup Champion Sioux City Musketeers in the 2022 Western Conference Finals in the USHL and haven't been on a deep run since.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 185 lb Ilya Morozov had 33 goals, 41 assists, and 74 points on the Windy City Storm Under 15 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Ilya Morozov has ideal size you want from an NHL center and huge upside once he develops more in the USHL.
   
   
   
   Ilya Morozov has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone' had Ilya Morozov as their best player on the board at 7 here's what Brenden Collins, one of their scouts had to say. "Long reach, tall lanky, exceptional puck handling ability, can receive passes forehanded or backhanded. He makes good reads, he's just got to get a little bit bigger. He's got upside to be a first line center in the USHL."
   
   
   
8. Waterloo Blackhawks: Noah Davidson, LW, (2027) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-2 181 lb Noah Davidson had 29 goals, 32 assists, and 61 points with the Shattuck St. Mary's U16 Team in 2023-2024. Noah Davidson is a perfect fit for the Waterloo Blackhawks.
   
   
   
   Noah Davidson has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone' had Noah Davidson as their best player on the board at 8 here's what Brenden Collins, one of their scouts had to say. "Waterloo plays hard, heavy, and physical. That's what Noah Davidson does making this a great fit. He's a north south power forward. Was at the USNTDP camp despite not making their team and was one of the more imposing power forwards there." Another USHL scout Ian Morran said he got better as the camp went on before Brenden said that was rare.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Madison Capitols: Jett Kwajah, D, (2026) A Grade
   
   
   The Madison Capitols made the 2022 Clark Cup as 2022 Eastern Conference Champions in the USHL after upsetting the Chicago Steel. They haven't had success since then as far as making a deep playoff run goes since then.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 157 lb Jett Kwajah had 3 goals, 20 assists, and 23 points in 30 games with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens Under 16 AAA Team in the GTHL in 2023-2024. Jett Kwajah is the best defenseman not named Callum Croskery in the 2024 USHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Jett Kwajah has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone' had Jett Kwajah as their best player on the board at 9 here's what Brenden Collins, one of their scouts had to say. "Jett is a strong skater, really balanced, hard on his edges, he's a firm first pass defenseman, he has some physical tools to his game, he ran the power play as the quarterback on the powerplay and the penalty kill on defense for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens Team."
   
   
   
   Jett Kwajah has the offensive playmaking, defense, and skating to succeed in the USHL. He's got to refine his shot by improving his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy despite excelling on special teams with the power play and penalty killing units. I'm giving this an A grade, but not an A+ grade because I still want to see more from Jett Kwajah as shooter despite liking what I hear about the rest of his game as a passer, defender, skater, and special teams ace on both the power play as well as the penalty killing unit.
   
   
   
10. Sioux City Musketeers: Nikita Klepov, RW, (2026) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Sioux City Musketeers, the 2022 Clark Cup Champions, picked tenth in the 2024 USHL Draft despite making it all the way to the 2024 Western Conference Finals hoping to get a second Clark Cup in three years where the Sioux City Musketeers lost to the 2023 Western Conference Champion the Fargo Force. The Sioux City Musketeers are losing 11 of their 13 forwards, 6 of their 7 defensemen, both of their two goalies, and 19/22 players on their total roster to the NCAA next year. In fact the only returning players are second lin centr Colby Saganuik from Pittsburgh, PA, Landon Gundersson a fourth line right winger, and Joseph Mense a second line defenseman. Both Max Anderson a 2025 NHL Draft prospect that was the Sioux City Musketeers 2023 first round pick at left winger and Nikita Klepov, this years first round pick in the 2024 USHL Draft could see significant minutes on a Sioux City Musketeers roster that will be extremely depleted having to rebuild and reload next season.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 146 lb Nikita Klepov had 31 goals, 41 assists, and 72 points in 22 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Under 15 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Nikita Klepov could end up being the first line right winger right out of the gate for the Sioux City Musketeers with all the turnover on this roster.
    
    
    
    Nikita Klepov has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone' had Nikita Klepov as their best player on the board at 10 here's what Brenden Collins, one of their scouts had to say. "This is probably the fastest player in the 2024 USHL Draft. He can take hits and make big plays despite his size." Ian Moran on Nikita Klepov, "He can fly, super lateral, and has super agility. He can skate through contact and has legit speed you cannot teach."
    
    
    
    
    
11. Youngstown Phantoms: Beckham Edwards, C, (2026) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Youngstown Phantoms couldn't repeat as USHL Champions after losing team captain left winger Shane Lachance along with six players to the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Those six players include first line right winger Martin Misak picked in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, first line center William Whitelaw the first overall pick in the 2021 USHL Draft who was picked by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, starting goalie Jacob Fowler who was picked by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft before taking Boston College to the 2024 Frozen Four Championship Game after shutting out Michigan in the 2024 Frozen Four, third line center Brandon Svobada who ended up being drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Andrew Strathmann the alternate captain last year and main captain this season was a first line defenseman anchoring the blue line before getting drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth round, and second line center Matthew Perkins the other alternate captain on last years championship team with Andrew Strathmann also got drafted by Vancouver in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Youngstown lost their captain, Misak, Whitelaw, Fowler, and Perkins to the NCAA following their Championship season. Andrew Strathmann and Brandon Svobada were the only returning players from last years Championship team to get drafted in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The Youngstown Phantoms traded Brandon Svodoa and and defenseman Finn McLaughlin to the Fargo Force at the 2024 USHL Trade Deadline for five draft picks including a 2024 second round pick in the Phase 1 2024 USHL Draft, a 2024 second round pick in the Phase 2 2024 USHL Draft, a 2024 fourth round pick in the Phase 2 2024 USHL Draft, a 2025 third round pick in the Phase 1 2025 USHL Draft, and a 2025 second round pick in the Phase 2 2025 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    You cannot really blame the Youngstown Phantoms for taking this trade. Three second round picks for a third line center on your 2023 Clark Cup winning team that defeated the Fargo Force in the 2023 Clark Cup last year is an excellent haul for the Youngstown Phantoms. Fargo can try to win the 2024 Clark Cup currently up 2-0 on the Dubuque Fighting Saints after getting swept in last years 2023 Clark Cup by the Youngstown Phantoms.
    
    
    
    The Youngstown Phantoms made the 2024 USHL Playoffs as the four seed in the Eastern Conference despite having only one of their six players from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft on their active roster. Right now, Zachary Morin, their 2023 first round pick that dominated on the Little Ceasar's Under 15 AAA Team prior to getting drafted is the only returning player on next years roster. Youngstown went back to to Little Ceasar's where they would select their 2024 first round pick in the 2024 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 168 lb Beckham Edwards had 60 goals, 37 assists, and 97 points in 64 games with the Little Caesars Under 15 AAA Team after taking over for Zachary Morin in 2023-2024. Youngstown also got center Jack Hextall in the second round of the 2024 USHL Draft with Hextall posting 29 goals, 59 assists, and 88 points on the Chicago Mission Under 15 AAA Team in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    The Youngstown Phantoms will have three elite centers next year in Zachary Morin, Beckham Edwards, and Jack Hextall with one of the scouts on Neutral Zone having Jack Hextall in their top five for USHL Tenders despite getting drafted one round behind Beckham Edwards since USHL teams can tender players by giving up a first or second round pick to recruit a better overall player this is how the Chicago Steel got the top two players not named Mikey Berchild.
    
    
    
    The Youngstown Phantoms got those three impact players at center for next year and ended up getting three second round picks, a third round pick, and a fourth round pick from the Fargo Force. Hitting on those early picks can allow the Youngstown Phantoms to remain competitive as a USHL Playoff Team on a yearly basis despite having a ton of turnover this season after winning the 2023 Clark Cup.
    
    
    
    Beckham Edwards has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone's scout accdientally missed Beckham Edwards despite the fact that he was tendered before Jack Hextall. Here's what Brenden Collins had to say. "This kid is an Ontario based player. This kid was heavily scouted by OHL teams. He made it pretty clear he was going to College and he signed a USHL Tender. This kid is very smooth, fast, has a great shot. This kid rises in the biggest games. Was very good at Nationals. He's got a high hockey IQ, can shoot the puck with both wrist shots and slap shots. He's another guy in the youth olympics representing team Canada in the Youth Olympic games."
    
    
    
    All three of the USHL Scouts covering the 2024 USHL Draft praised Beckham Edwards which I cannot say about any other player in the 2024 USHL Draft. You really cannot say that about anyone else in this draft class, so the Youngstown Phantoms get an A+ grade here.
    
    
    
12. Lincoln Stars: Nate Pederson, C, (2026) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Lincoln Stars took a step back after making the 2023 Western Conference Finals in the USHL where they lost to the Fargo Force last year. They also traded down with the Green Bay Gamblers in the 2024 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 150 lb Nate Pederson had 8 goals, 14 assists, and 22 points in 27 games with Shakopee High School in Minnesota as a freshman 2022-2023. Nate Pederson had 20 goals, 32 assists, and 52 points in 27 games with Shakopee High School in Minnesota as a sophomore 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Nate Pederson has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone's Brenden Collins had some interesting things to say about Nate Pederson going twelfth overall in the 2024 USHL Draft. "Most of his offense is coming off of the rush, but he's a player with his lateral quickness and quick hands. He changes the angle and shoots the puck." Ian Moran said, "He makes guys miss. He's not afraid to attack a goalies high blocker."
    
    
    
    
    
13. Muskegon Lumberjacks: Rudolfs Berzkalns, C, (2026) B Grade
    
    
    The Muskegon Lumberjacks made the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals in the USHL this past season before losing to the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The Muskegon Lumberjacks killed it in the 2024 USHL Draft after losing Sasha Boisvert their first line center and Matvei Grindin their first line right winger, and both could be could be first round picks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Muskegon drafted Rudolfs Berzkalns to be their new first line center with their first round pick in the 2024 USHL Draft thanks to securing his rights by giving up a first round tender, they also traded for the first pick in the second round and drafted Nate Celski a 6-3 190 lb defenseman, and with their third draft pick, the Muskegon Lumerjacks used a tender on center Tynan Lawrence, who some USHL Scouts have graded higher than both Rudolfs Berzkalns and Nate Celski.
    
    
    
    Muskegon also used their third round picks in the 2024 USHL Draft on right winger Noah Survilas a first line right winger at powerhouse Dexter High School in Massachusetts as a potential replacement for Matvei Grindin and then drafted Ryder Cali a third center with their second third round pick as the USHL praised Muskegon for both of their third round picks before drafting defenseman Lars Hutson in the fifth round of the 2024 USHL Draft with their next pick. Other notable picks that the Muskegon Lumberjacks made include center Keaton Martin who had 40 goals, 42 assists, and 82 points with the Dallas Junior Stars Elite Under 15 AAA team in the seventh round, and defenseman Cole Anderson in the ninth round of the Phase 1 2024 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    I know this writeup about the Muskegon Lumberjacks is long, but this team had the best 2024 USHL Draft in my opinion not only dominating in Phase 1 of the 2024 USHL Draft, but dominating in Phase 2 of the 2024 USHL Draft as well. Phase 1 of the 2024 USHL Draft which I do writeups on is limited to players born in 2008 while Phase 2 of the 2024 USHL Draft allows you to draft any player who is age eligible to play junior hockey regardless of when they were born. Some of the Phase 2 picks that stand out include defenseman Drew Mackie Muskegon's Phase 2 first round pick, Carter Sanderson a fourth round pick at center in the Phase 2 draft, and Raiden LeGall the top goalie in Phase 2 of the 2024 USHL Draft. Muskegon also selected a team captain at left winger in Phase 2 of the 2024 USHL Draft when picking Jack Christ.
    
    
    
    Muskegon is going to be stacked at center even without Sacha Boisvert with as many as five centers on thier roster, you'd have to think one moves to left wing with Noah Survilas complimenting those two on Muskegon's top line at right winger. Muskegon will also have Xavier Veilleux an ALl-USHL rookie first team defenseman on their first line with Cameron Aucoin, Muskegon's 2023 first round pick that was the second defenseman drafted last year on the top line of the Muskegon Lumberjacks defense on the blue line. Draft picks on defensemen like Nate Celski their second round pick and Lars Hutson their 2024 fifth round pick will be second line defensemen. Cole Anderson will be on the third line, and Muskegon owns the USHL rights to Drew Mackie if he wants to delay College at Notre Dame this year by spending one season in the USHL if Mackie doesn't believe he's ready for College. Mackie is projected to go to Notre Dame, so he won't be the third line defenseman on Muskegon right now. Raiden LeGall has one season of USHL eligibility before he heads off to college in 2025 and if he plays on the Muskegon Lumberjacks he will start at goalie right away after having a .920 save percentage and a 2.73 GAA last year in the NJHL in 2023-2024. Muskegon improved everywhere, and honestly they would be my pick to win the 2025 Clark Cup after losing to the Dubuque Fighting Saints. If you read this long, thank you because I'm finally going to break down Rudolfs Berzkalns.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 165 lb Rudolfs Berzkalns had 24 goals, 39 assists, and 63 points in 60 games with Bishop Kearney Selects Under 15 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Tynan Lawrence was mentioned more than Berzkalns as stated earlier, but you cannot deny this mans talent.
    
    
    
    Rudolfs Berzkalns has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone's Brenden Collins had some interesting things to say about Rudolfs Berzkalns going thirteenth overall in the 2024 USHL Draft. "This was an early tender to Muskegon. He's big, he's strong, and he can shoot. He came from Latvia to America. He got better as the season moves along. Once he improves his footwork and foot speed he can be a top line scoring forward as well as a future NHL Draft Pick."
    
    
    
14. Dubuque Fighting Saints: Nicholas Desiderio, C, (2026) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Dubuque Fighting Saints won the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals in the USHL this past season. Dubuque currently trails the Fargo Force in the 2024 Clark Cup 2-0 and is eliminated if they lose one more game in this best of five series. Dubuque only has three players that could be returning next year in Josh Giuliani the fourth line left winger that is uncommited to a college, Gavin Cornforth a 2025 draft prospect as the third line right winger, and starting goalie Dylan Johnson has one more year of eligibility in the USHL as he's not commited to a college yet. Liam Kilfoil, who was drafted eighth overall in the 2023 USHL Draft will probably be the first line center on Dubuque next season. Dubuque could still be a playoff team in 2024-2025, but the Dubuque Fighting Saints are losing a lot of guys to the NCAA after this season where as their Eastern Conference Finals opponent, the Muskegon Lumberjacks are reloading everywhere.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 194 lb Nicholas Desiderio played for both Christian Brothers Academy High School in New Jersey as well as the New Jersey Rockets Under 5 AAA Team this past season. Nicholas Desiderio had 20 goals, 25 assists, and 45 points at Christian Brothers Academy High School in New Jersey in 2023-2024. Nicholas Desiderio had 54 goals, 39 assists, 93 points.
    
    
    
    Nicholas Desiderio has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. Neutral Zone's Brenden Collins had some interesting things to say about Rudolfs Berzkalns going fourteenth overall in the 2024 USHL Draft. "This is a player who improved in Nationals. This kid is athletic, he's got good size and strength. He can protect pucks. He can make plays in traffic. He's got good pass and touch on both forehanded and backhanded passes. He also receives forehanded and backhanded passes well."
    
    
    
    The head of Neutral Zone stated that Nicholas Desiderio will run you over. All three of the USHL Scouts covering the 2024 USHL Draft praised Nicholas Desiderio. This is only the second player picked in the first round of the 2024 USHL Draft that all three scouts praised.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Fargo Force: Cole Bumgarner, C, (2026) A- Grade
    
    
    The Fargo Force won the 2023 Western Conference Finals in the USHL before getting swept by the Youngstown Phantoms in the 2023 Clark Cup. The Fargo Force won the 2024 Anderson Cup for the best regular season record before winning the 2024 Western Conference Finals in the USHL for the second year in a row, and currently have a 2-0 series lead on the Dubuque Fighting Saints. As long as the Fargo Force win one of their next three USHL games they will be the 2024 Clark Cup Champions as the best USHL Playoff team this season.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 185 lb Cole Bumgarner had 15 goals, 19 assists, and 34 points in 23 games at Rogers High School in Minnesota in 2023-2024. Cole Bumgarner was the first round pick of what appears to be the eventual 2024 USHL Champions.
    
    
    
    Cole Bumgarner has the passing, playmaking, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, decision making, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want. The Fargo Force will have Mac Swanson their 2022 first round pick and Masun Fleece their 2023 first round pick as their top two centers in the USHL next season after losing the 2023 Clarke Cup to the Youngstown Phantoms. Mac Swanson won the first line left winger job. Masun Fleece and Cole Bumgarner should be the top two centers on the Fargo Force in 2024, but Cole Bumgarner has to continue to improve as a skater even though potential you want from a first line center is there. Cole Bumgarner might be the best center at winning face offs in the entire 2024 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    One more interesting detail is that his dad is really overprotective and he's transferred to three different schools in the past three years as many coaches and scouts believe Bumgarner's father is too involved in his sons hockey life which is why he fell to the Fargo Force. I gave Fargo an A- grade because of this.
    
    
    
16. USNTDP: Jamie Glance, C, (2026) A+ Grade
    
    
    The United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL has the top two US born players in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with Mikey Berchild and Jamie Glance who both play center. Mikey Berchild will take over for James Hagans, the projected first pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as the first line center on the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL. Jamie Glance will likely be the second line center behind Mikey Berchild next season.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 155 lb Jamie Glance had 54 goals, 58 assists, and 112 points on the Mount St. Charles Academy Under 15 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Jamie Glance did enough at center to make the United States National Team Developmental Program despite his size.
    
    
    
    Jamie Glance has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's got the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ and vision to succeed in the USHL. He's not a guarantee to go in the top 5 like James Hagans, Mikey Berchild, or defenseman Logan Hensler. He could go anywhere between 9-16 in the top half of the the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Thanks for reading if you made it this long. I'll give you my thoughts on the 2024-2027 drafts in my 2024 QMJHL Draft rankings when the 2024 QMJHL Draft takes place on June where the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles have the first pick thanks to a trade with the Saint John Sea Dogs.