UPDATE: In case you didn’t want to make the drive to Buffalo next week, you can catch all the All-American Prospects Game action on NHL Network, starting at 7 p.m.
By @MichaelCaples –
USA Hockey announced today the 42 players that will compete in the fourth annual CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, taking place Sept. 24 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo (home of the NHL’s Sabres).
Thirteen of the players invited to the game – designed to showcase draft-eligible players at the start of their respective seasons – either are Michigan natives or will be playing college hockey in the state. Meanwhile, 21 current or former NTDP players have been invited, as well.
“This game provides the best U.S. players eligible for next year’s NHL draft the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage,” said Jim Johannson, USA Hockey’s assistant executive director of hockey operations, in a press release. “We’re excited to return to Buffalo and with input from NHL Central Scouting, we’re certain fans in the region will enjoy the chance to see future stars of the NHL, some who are very likely to one day wear the Sabres jersey.”
Michigan produced more players for the AAPG than any other state.
Goaltenders
- Tyler Parsons – Chesterfield – London Knights (OHL)
Defensemen
- Derek Daschke – Troy – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) – Western Michigan commit
- Mitch Eliot – Grosse Pointe – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – Michigan State commit
- Ben Gleason – Ortonville – London Knights (OHL)
- Griffin Luce – Williamsville, N.Y. – U.S. NTDP U18 Team (USHL) – Michigan commit
Forwards
- Alex DeBrincat – Farmington Hills – Erie Otters (OHL)
- Max Jones – Rochester – London Knights (OHL)
- Jack Kopacka – Lapeer – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
- Will Lockwood – Bloomfield Hills – U.S. NTDP U18 Team (USHL) – Michigan commit
- Nick Pastujov – Bradenton, Fla. – U.S. NTDP U18 Team (USHL) – Michigan commit
- Drake Rymsha – Huntington Woods – London Knights (OHL)
- James Sanchez – Northbrook, Ill. – U.S. NTDP U18 Team (USHL) – Michigan commit
- Keenan Suthers – Macomb – U.S. NTDP U18 Team (USHL) – Western Michigan commit
Twenty-one NTDP products invited
USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program – now housed in Plymouth – has plenty of representatives on the AAPG roster, as well. Twenty-one current or former NTDP players have been invited to Buffalo (with their college commitment listed or their current team if they are no longer with the program):
Defensemen
- Michael Campoli – Boston College
- Adam Fox – Harvard University
- J.D. Greenway – Uncommitted
- Chad Krys – Boston University
- Ryan Lindgren – University of Minnesota
- Griffin Luce – Michigan
- Charlie McAvoy – Boston University (NTDP alum, 2013-15)
Forwards
- Joey Anderson – University of Minnesota Duluth
- Kieffer Bellows – Boston University
- Trent Frederic – University of Wisconsin
- Max Jones – London Knights (NTDP alum, 2014-15)
- Clayton Keller – Boston University
- Luke Kirwan – Windsor Spitfires (NTDP alum, 2014-15)
- Luke Kunin – University of Wisconsin (NTDP alum, 2013-15)
- Will Lockwood – Michigan
- Graham McPhee – Boston College
- Nick Pastujov – Michigan
- James Sanchez – Michigan
- Keenan Suthers – Western Michigan
- Tage Thompson – University of Connecticut (NTDP alum, 2014-15)
- Matthew Tkachuk – London Knights (NTDP alum, 2013-15)