Bo Christini, Tanner Adams headline standouts from 2025 USHL American Cup Tournament
ROCHESTER, New York – In early December, the USHL American Cup brought together many of the top AAA programs from across the country. For this event, I focused on the 15U division, aiming to identify high-end talent in their year before players reach junior eligibility.
It quickly became apparent that the standout team of the tournament was the Woodbridge Wolfpack. In their opening game, Woodbridge defeated The Hill Academy, a program that has consistently found success on Ontario's U16 circuit. Undeterred by the loss, The Hill went on to dominate its next three games by a combined goal differential of 14, further validating the strength of that opening result.
Woodbridge maintained its momentum through the tournament, continuing its run against elite competition. That included a semifinal matchup against the Bishop Kearney Selects, who entered the game undefeated and suffered their only loss of the event against the Wolfpack. Woodbridge then capped off its run with a commanding 8-1 victory over Black Bear Academy in the championship game.
Over the course of the tournament, eight players stood out as true difference-makers for their teams, along with several honourable mentions.
Tanner Adams, C, The Hill Academy U16 AAA
At this point, it has to become a routine to see Tanner Adams featured in standout lists, and for a good reason. He continues to separate himself as one of the top players born in the 2010 age group. Adams plays with a relentless edge, consistently finishing checks and imposing himself physically, while also possessing a strong scoring touch. The result is a modern power forward profile that continues to stand out.
Despite his physical presence, Adams shows notable finesse. He manipulates defenders with the puck, identifies seams, and creates offence by drawing pressure and exploiting soft ice, both on and off the puck. His hands and shot add another layer to his game giving him one of the most versatile toolkits in the tournament. Few players combined physical dominance, skill and offensive awareness as effectively as Adams did in this event.
Chase Schulberger, D, Woodbridge Wolfpack 15U AAA
Most championship-calibre teams rely on a stabilizing presence on the back end, and for Woodbridge, that role belonged to Chase Schulberger. Possessing a strong frame and impressive mobility, Schulberger consistently drove play through his ability to move the puck in transition.
He was frequently relied upon to initiate breakouts, using his skating and puck-handling to weave through pressure and create controlled exits and entries. His confidence activating into the play also stood out, as he identified opportunities to jump into soft areas behind coverage, generating shots and offensive looks. The combination of size, mobility and, skill places Schulberger firmly on the radar of prospects to watch as he continues to develop.
Bo Christini, RW, Bishop Kearney Selects 15U AAA
Listed at 5-foot-5, Bo Christini entered the tournament facing the type of questions that smaller players often encounter from evaluators. He responded by delivering one of the most dominant performances in the event. Christini played an extremely dynamic game, pairing quick movement patterns with high-end vision and puckhandling.
In his matchup against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights, he was nearly untouchable, repeatedly creating scoring chances at will. He evaded pressure with speed, curled off defenders, slipping through checks, and consistently drew opponents toward him, opening space for teammates and himself. His ability to exploit even minimal gaps under heavy pressure made him one of the most deceptive and impactful players in the tournament.
Liam Fournier, LW, Woodbridge Wolfpack 15U AAA
Liam Fournier emerged as one of the primary offensive drivers for the championship-winning Wolfpack. His effectiveness in high traffic areas was particularly evident in the title game, where he consistently attacked the middle and worked off the wall to extend possession.
Using strong body positioning and reliable puck-handling, Fournier protected the puck under pressure and worked his way out of tight situations. His game also featured patience and playmaking touch, allowing him to create offence through cross-seam passes and well-timed distributions into dangerous areas. His poise and ability to read defensive movement enabled him to impact games consistently throughout the tournament.
Bobby Spang, LW, Bishop Kearney Selects 15U AAA
Bobby Spang stood out as one of the smartest players in the tournament. His ability to find soft ice and dissect defensive structures played a major role in Bishop Kearney’s success. He routinely slipped behind coverage, placing himself in optimal positions to finish plays or create additional offence.
Spang paired this spatial awareness with high-level puck skill, showcasing toe drags, puck protection, and the ability to beat defenders through tight lanes. His touch extended both his finishing and playmaking, whether pinpointing corners or delivering precise passing on odd-man rushes. His reads and execution made him a constant offensive threat.
Christopher Pinko, RW, North Jersey Avalanche 15U AAA
One of the most skilled and energetic players in the tournament, Christopher Pinko consistently stood out for North Jersey. He finished as one of the division’s top scorers, driven by his pace, creativity and offensive instincts.
Pinko played with a constant motion, attacking high-danger areas and quickly capitalizing on loose pucks and developing opportunities. He regularly drew defenders toward him before distributing passes that arrived cleanly on teammates’ sticks. His zone-entry habits, particularly his use of delays, added an unpredictable element to his game. That creativity extended to highlight-reel skill plays and defensive pressure that led directly to scoring chances, making him one of the most entertaining players to watch.
Deverin Warner, RW, Woodbridge Wolfpack 15U AAA
Deverin Warner showcased a high level of individual skill throughout the tournament. He attacked defenders off the rush with confidence, using quick hands and sharp changes of direction to create separation. His speed entering the zone forced defenders to retreat, allowing to generate offense through both puck possession and deception.
Beyond his puck skills, Warner displayed strong awareness and vision, using shot fakes and subtle delays to open passing lanes. Given space he consistently produced Grade-A chances for himself and his teammates, contributing meaningfully to Woodbridge’s championship run.
Kellen Paetsch, D, Bishop Kearney Selects 15U AAA
Reliability defined Kellen Paetsch’s game throughout the tournament. His size and skating formed the foundation of a strong defensive presence, allowing him to deny zone entries through effective gap control, four-way mobility, and well-timed stick work.
In the defensive zone, Paetsch used those same tools to separate opponents from the puck and quickly transition play up ice. While not a flashy defender, his ability to make simple, efficient plays under pressure played a significant role in Bishop Kearney’s ability to move the puck cleanly and sustain offensive momentum.
Honourable Mentions: Quinn Kaiser (Team Illinois), John Foye (Woodbridge), Tristan D'Elia (Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights), Alexander Kim (Black Bear Academy), Milan Kutsevich (North Jersey), Gavin Springer (Buffalo Jr. Sabres), Ondřej Jonák (Bishop Kearney)
