USHL announces 2015-16 schedule; see the season outlooks for Muskegon, NTDP

By @MichaelCaples –

The United States Hockey League announced their 2015-16 schedule today, which means fans can start plotting out their visits to LC Walker Arena in Muskegon for the Lumberjacks, and the new USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program U18 and U17 teams.

The Lumberjacks’ first USHL contest will take place on Sept. 26, when they play in Waterloo. Their first home date will be on Oct. 3, when they welcome the NTDP Under-17 Team to Muskegon.

Meanwhile, the NTDP begins a new era in Plymouth when the Under-18 Team welcomes the Chicago Steel to their new home on Oct. 9. The Under-17 Team will make their home debut on Oct. 16 against Madison.

The Muskegon vs. NTDP match-ups are:

Oct. 3 – U17 vs. Muskegon
Dec. 5 – U17 vs. Muskegon
Dec. 30 – Muskegon vs. U17
Jan. 15 – Muskegon vs. U17
Jan. 18 – U17 vs. Muskegon
Feb. 21 – Muskegon vs. U17
March 31 – Muskegon vs. U18

The USHL has created five regional pre-season events in place of the 2015 Fall Classic. Here are the regional events that Michigan’s teams will be taking part in:

Green Bay (September 11-September 13): Bloomington Thunder, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Green Bay Gamblers, Madison Capitols, Team USA U17 and Team USA U18

Pittsburgh (September 18-September 19): Muskegon Lumberjacks, Team USA U17, Team USA U18 and Youngstown Phantoms

The league also announced another year of dormancy for the Indiana Ice as they address facility issues in the Indianapolis area.

For the full 2015-16 schedule, click here.