Predicting USA Hockey's 2010-born NTDP roster at the midseason point

An invitation to the USA Hockey NTDP 40-man camp, and eventually a contract into the program, is the strongest individual accomplishment that a 15 year old player in the United States can achieve. 2026 Olympians like Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and the Hughes brothers all cut their teeth in Plymouth before wearing the red, white, and blue on the biggest stage. 

The following names are the ones that have stood out to our scouting staff at Elite Prospects as players who should receive strong consideration for selection to the U17 group for next fall. 

It’s important to acknowledge when doing an article like this how much the landscape has changed. Just three years ago, the NTDP essentially had a lock on the country’s borders, with only the rare outlier leaving for the CHL. 

Now, multiple top American 2010-born players have already signed deals with the WHL, and more are expected to pursue OHL and QMJHL options. The top scorer in the 2008 age group, J.P. Hurlbert, left the program last summer for Kamloops after leading the U17 team in scoring. Things have become much trickier now, and the NTDP will need to make strong pitches to secure the top players in this article. 

As the second half comes to an end, with regional and national tournaments approaching, things may become clearer as the most important hockey of the season is played. Underrated players that we’re still accumulating viewings for may rise up into contention for this team, which will be decided on at the annual evaluation camp in the spring.

The Roster

Forwards

Henry Buttweiler, Honeybaked 15U AAA

Henry Buttweiler joined Honeybaked last fall after a season with Moorhead’s dominant bantam group. He was a key cog in the Minnesota Blue Ox’s National Championship run in 2025 as well, scoring the overtime winner in the 14U AAA semifinals. Buttweiler’s game is all about compete and puck acquisition. He has every contact skill necessary to succeed in junior hockey, and traits developed beyond his years. Buttweiler can make plays in tight and complement highly skilled players on a top line. He’s a first round pick to WHL Regina. 

Joey Cullen, Moorhead High School 

Joey Cullen missed extensive time at Moorhead High School with a broken wrist, but he has since made his return and has continued to produce at a torrid pace. Cullen’s offensive ability is second to none at this age. He’s produced well over 2 points per game for the Spuds after putting up 52 points in just 21 games at Honeybaked in the fall. Cullen has the hands to access the middle of the ice with vision to make plays, the best puck handler in this group. He’s possibly the highest-profile player entering the 40-man camp. 

Aiden Kelly, Little Caesars 15U AAA

Lots of guys nominated here can score goals, but Aiden Kelly may be the most refined scorer of all. He's finished at a goal-per-game pace across multiple levels and tournaments over the past few years, annually one of the top players in the country. Kelly builds a mental map of the offensive zone well and recognizes seams, bumpers, and strikes to the backdoor. He plays in the middle of the ice and has contact skills to acquire pucks. Kelly is one of the highest profile players in the 2010 American class, a player with enough upside to generate offensive NHL interest in two years. 

William Losauro, North Jersey Avalanche 16U AAA

William Losauro could become the next player from a lineage of North Jersey Avalanche prospects to make the NTDP group next year. After torching the US Select 15’s camp last summer, finishing 2nd in points, he’s been dominating both the 16U and high school levels. Losauro is a bit undersized, but handles pucks well and can run a power play unit from the halfwall. There’s scoring touch in his game and potential to be a straight line, two-way winger. Losauro is likely to make this team and contribute. 

Carter Morris, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U AAA

Even among a loaded group of 2010-born players at Shattuck St. Mary’s, Carter Morris emerges as possibly the best of them all. He’s near the top of scoring totals for the 16U team as an underaged player, driving constant advantage creation on the top line. The Anchorage, Alaska native has manipulative skills, using misdirection and fakes to generate space before finishing a play. Morris strips pucks with a sneaky stick and has the feet to immediately generate counter offence. Not only could he make this team, but he could play a massive role. 

Maverick McKinnon, St. Thomas Academy 

Maverick McKinnon has spent the last two years putting up historic high school numbers; he’s eclipsed 110 points before the start of playoffs in his 9th grade season. The undersized forward transferred from Forest Lake High School to powerhouse St. Thomas Academy last fall and has immediately become one of the best players on one of Minnesota’s top teams. His game centres around his gamebreaking pace and skating ability. McKinnon routinely puts older players on their heels with shifty moves, beats them to spots, then generates high danger chances for himself and teammates. He’ll be a massive name to watch going into the high school playoffs. 

Alec Walker, Florida Alliance 15O AAA

As our OHL staff amassed viewings on US prospects to prepare for the mid-season board, Alec Walker was one of the favourites. While Walker didn't meet the requirements to ultimately earn inclusion on the OHL list playing for the Florida Alliance, he's here on our NTDP list. Walker is a rare blend of size, as a 6-foot-5 forward, and pace. He has an explosive first three strides, can punish through the middle lane, and understands offensive concepts excellently well. Walker could become a highly touted NHL prospect as well, a potential top pick in 2028.

RJ Thompson, Eden Prairie High School

RJ Thompson joined Eden Prairie High School this winter after a few seasons in the Little Caesars system. He has quickly become one of the best players in Minnesota, even as a ninth grader. Thompson is playing at near two points-per-game, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill as his team’s youngest forward. Thompson’s pace and athleticism is ridiculous. He can break away and generate space from a standstill with high crossover usage and efficient attack routes. He feels like a lock for a selection at this stage. 

Henry Meier, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U AAA

Henry Meier is a dazzling player, a high flying top scorer on the top line of Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U team. Out of all the incredible puck handlers in this group, Meier’s is up with the best of them. He can attack triangles and slip in and out of traffic, dodging checks to make plays. Meier has a favourable frame; there’s room for him to fill out and really blossom into his body. He’ll need to add contact skills and strength in his junior time to become a highly touted NHL prospect. The NTDP may have heavy interest. 

Parker Colmer, Shattuck St. Mary’s 15U AAA

Shattuck St. Mary’s 15U team has been near the top of national ranks all year, largely on the back of its top line and Olathe, Kansas native Parker Colmer. He’s a high paced winger who repurposes his speed exceptionally well. Colmer does more than just raise the tempo of play - he speeds the game up in smart ways. He closes on checks, runs quick cuts off the puck, and has efficient defensive efforts. Colmer recognizes seams well and is a transition playmaker. He’s likely to play junior hockey next year. 

Dylan Delgado, Honeybaked 15U AAA

One of the coolest storylines over the past few years at the NTDP has been the growth of players from non-traditional markets. Dylan Delgado could join names like Seamus Casey, Jacob Fowler, and Gavin Brindley as Florida-born players who’ve recently played at the program in Plymouth. He's another highly skilled, highly creative forward with a transition game and one-on-one ability. Delgado earned a spot on our mid-season OHL list recently as well after dominating the Oakville Winter Classic in January.

Jack Trupiano, Little Caesars 15U AAA

Jack Trupiano has been one of the most impressive names in this entire class, leading the nation's top 15U group in scoring. His game is built on power and pace. Trupiano attacks inside ice fearlessly, hunting space and winning possession in contact situations. He has a heavy shot and elite processing speed, a major threat to play up this team's lineup into offensive roles. Trupiano was ranked 7th on our OHL list, a favourite among our staff. If Little Caesars is going to make a deep run this spring, Trupiano will make a big impact. 

Austin Hall, Honeybaked 15U AAA

Austin Hall earns the last forward spot on this list, already scoring well over 140 points for the Honeybaked 15U group. Hall's vision and playmaking game are his top attributes. He recognizes seams and lanes incredibly well in the offensive zone, threading pucks and hitting trailers with quick processing speed. Hall is a bit undersized at just 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, but he's produced at every level in the past few years, and is a hard name to omit from this list. There are a handful of names that could slot in here. 

Defence

Max Lappan, Honeybaked 15U AAA

The NTDP always has to factor in elements of pro projection into their evaluation, as a program that revolves around sending players to the NHL. At 6-foot-2 and already over 200 pounds with a physical game, Max Lappan looks like a defender who could garner real pro interest in two years. He's a frequent activator with an efficient style, timing plays and accelerating with his edges on the breakout. Lappan could eat major minutes in junior hockey immediately, perhaps as early as his rookie season. An intriguing prospect, he's one to watch heading into the playoffs and the national tournament.

Drew Daley, Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 Prep 

If any player on this list has major flight risk, it may be Drew Daley. The Ontario Hockey League interest, and the ability to leverage to a team of choice, may be too strong for him to pass up. Daley is an incredibly mature defender for his age, playing up on Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 Prep team as a 15-year-old and not skipping a beat. He skates beautifully, makes a ton of plays, and has become an excellent stopper. Daley would be the highest profile defender to join the NTDP in a while. 

Jack Hair, Little Caesars 15U AAA

The NTDP has produced high level players to every position in the NHL, but there’s been no greater impact perhaps than the undersized American defenceman. Jack Hair could be the next in the lineage. The skating ability and edgework are separating traits; Hair can escape pressure and create room on the blue line to attack. He manipulates defenders in all three zones and can facilitate the offensive game for teammates. Hair was recently ranked 42nd on our mid-season OHL list. 

Chase Schulberger, Woodbridge Wolfpack 15U AAA

Chase Schulberger has a lot of intriguing pro traits as a 6-foot-2 defenceman with elite mobility and transition game. He carries pucks on breakouts and activates well, contributing as a secondary offensive player in the cycle. There's poise in his offensive game, escaping pressure with edgework to work pucks deep into the zone. Schulberger has a solid base of tools to become a strong defender at the junior level, closing gaps and killing rushes. The Pennsylvania native will be highly pursued by NCAA teams when made eligible.

Gavin Godbout, Hill Murray High School 

Gavin Godbout has enjoyed a breakout year for Hill-Murray, a player who has forced his way into conversations for this team. Godbout is a fluid offensive skater and creator, handling and transporting pucks efficiently up ice. He can run a power play unit and has shown enough strides defensively to be optimistic in the development curve. I’m not sure there are many smarter blueline options in this 2010 American group. If other offensive options flee to major junior, Godbout should receive serious consideration.

Brooks Suter, Edina High School 

Brooks Suter has emerged this year as a strong contender for this NTDP group. He transferred from the dominant Moorhead Bantam group last year to the Madison Capitols 15U in the fall, and now is at Edina High School, where he has immediately become a stalwart on the Hornets blue line. Suter is clicking at a near point-per-game pace as a freshman, impressive numbers on one of the top teams in Minnesota. He has excellent stick details and rush defence abilities, slowing down top lines already.

Goalies

Carter Nash, Honeybaked 15U AAA

Hermantown, Minnesota native Carter Nash made the move to Honeybaked’s 15U program last fall, quickly earning a starting role. He has been stellar thus far, leading Honeybaked through some massive tournaments on the North American circuit. Nash is a bit undersized at 6-foot, but he’s technically sound and has baseline level athleticism. There is development to be done with him, but in a goaltending class with limited names standing out, Nash feels like a front-runner.

Brody Johnson, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U AAA

Brody Johnson is the rare underaged goalie this year to play up on Shattuck’s 16U team, joining forwards previously on this list Carter Morris and Henry Meier. He transferred from Shakopee Minnesota’s bantam program and has been nothing short of excellent this year; at the time of publishing, Johnson is a flawless 20-0-0 in net. He’s undersized, at just 5-foot-10, but his athleticism and quickness are off the charts. Johnson gets in and out of positions with rapid pace, covering the crease quickly.