USA Hockey National Championships
U16 - Madison, WI
4.1.25 - 4.6.25
Previews and prospect lists for each division of the U16 National Championships.
Liberty
Carolina Jr Hurricanes - Southeastern
Open up against Little Caesars to start Nationals, a team they beat back in September. Blew out Team Maryland in the Southeastern finals 11-2, Oleg Kulebaukin leading all players in points and goals over 3 games (6G 5A).
Long Island Gulls - At Large
The Gulls were stunned in OT by the Buffalo Jr Sabres in the New York District semifinals, but one of the top teams of the country this season. Wisconsin commit Cody Sokol and Qpac commit Kevin Lysohir lead the way offensively, both getting game time in the USHL this season.
Little Caesars - Michigan
Have been on an absolute tear, made quick work of the Michigan District playoffs, outscoring opponents 32-2 over 5 games. Ilyda Kolmakov and Andrei Molgachev are dynamic players to watch, both with over 20 points in just 5 games.
Mid-Fairfield - New England
Mid-Fairfield got its revenge on Seacoast after falling 4-3 in round robin play of the New England Regional, taking the title 3-2 over Seacoast. Harvard commit and Kent School goaltender Jacoby Weiner is both imposing and athletic, can keep his team in it. His 2-0 shutout over Mount St Charles got MF to the final
NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite - MidAm
Brody Pepoy was the hero scoring late in the 3rd to break a 2-2 tie vs Culver in the MidAm final. Earned the #3 rankings and top 5 throughout the year, played a deep schedule, full of top 25 weekend series, finishing at 36-14-0.
Chicago Mission - Central
Despite some up and down moments this season vs top opponents, this Mission team can play with anyone. Multiple tight series this season vs Shattuck and in-group opponent Pittsburgh Penguins Elite. The Mission reached Nationals with a 2-1 OT win over St Louis Blues.
North Jersey Avalanche - At Large
The Avs fell to rival New Jersey Rockets 3-1 in the Atlantic final, but beat multiple nationals teams this season including Sioux Falls, Dallas, Carolina and Shattuck. Goaltender Adam Sherman has the ability to steal games or keep his team within striking distance.
Sioux Falls Power - Northern Plains
Forward Finn Spehar and Defenseman Easton Johnson are both USNTDP 09 camp invites and leading the Power this season despite playing a year up. Sioux Falls had a clean sweep of Team North Dakota 7-2, 10-4 to reach Nationals, and has a roster full of college commits including Maddox Malmquist (Bemidji State), Jimmy Egan (Colorado College), , Brayden Thompson (Omaha), and Keaton Jundt (North Dakota).
Olympic
New Jersey Rockets - Atlantic
The NE Pack U16 champions look poised for a 16s run ater taking down state rival North Jersey Avalanche. Ohio State commit Vladimir Provorov and Providence commit Nicholas Desiderio will lead the way offensively, with an athletic and offensive d-core in front of 2 great goaltenders in Ilja Nikitins and Max Brodeur.
Seacoast Spartans - At Large
A heartbreaking defeat to Mid-Fairfield but Seacoast was one of the top teams this year, just 13 losses playing in a tough New England / Atlantic schedule. Will be a tough out, had multiple tight games or split series vs group opponents New Jersey and BK Selects.
BK Selects - New York
This team is loaded with junior talent, led by UMass commit Nolan Duskocy and James Scantlebury up front and BC commit / future Saint John Sea Dog (QMJHL) Cameron Chartrand on the backend. BK barely got by PAL Jr Islanders in the New York semifinals with a 5-4 win, but looked dominant vs Buffalo Jr Sabres in the championship, 4-1 final. Defenseman Dominic D’Eletto had an impressive district playoff with 3G 4A.
East Coast Militia - Massachusetts
The Militia punched their ticket to Nationals back in 2024, a 3-2 win over the Boston Jr Eagles on Thayer forward Tommy Wilkinson’s shootout winner. The short season program has only faced one group opponent this season in New Jersey, a 3-3 tie back in September.
USA
Shattuck St Mary’s - Minnesota
Junior prospects up and down Shattuck’s roster, to little surprise. Nolan Fitzhenry had an almost goal-per-game regular season, just one of the dominant offensive threats. Fitzhenry, along with forward Colin Grub and defenseman Diego Gutierrez, are USNTDP camp invitees.
Dallas Stars Elite - Rocky Mountain
2 top ‘09s will catch scouts’ attention on Dallas with defenseman Broden McArthur and goaltender Mark Djomo, both invited to USNTDP 09 evaluation camp. Their road to Nationals may have looked easy, outscoring the opposition 31-8 over 4 games, but poised for the tougher tests. Just 7 losses on the year, an OTL to Mount in September.
Mount St Charles - At Large
Mount fell to Mid Fairfield in New England’s semifinals but had resilient wins at New England Distrcits vs New Hampshire 4-0, Yale 4-1 and Northern CT 5-3. Had a tie and a loss vs Shattuck in mid-January, and a 4-3 win over Dallas at the beginning of the year.
Anaheim Jr Ducks - Pacific
This Nationals trip might be described as relentless for the Jr Ducks, facing off vs the #1, #7 and #9 ranked teams in the nation. Struggled vs the top T1EHL teams but found wins at the right time, especially vs LA Jr Kings.
Rinks
Bob Suter's Legacy20 Arena Middleton
2616 N Pleasant View Rd
Middleton, WI 53562
Verona Ice Arena
451 E Verona Ave
Verona, WI 53593