NTDP Under-18 Team schedule announced

By @MichaelCaples –

Yesterday, USA Hockey announced the schedule for its National Team Development Program Under-17 Team.

Today, it was the Under-18 Team’s turn.

The second-year NTDP squad – which annually plays a mix of USHL, NCAA and international games – has an impressive schedule for the collection of draft-eligible high school seniors who will begin a campaign with new coach John Wroblewski.

For the 2016-17 season, Princeton, St. Thomas, Stevens Point, Trinity and Arizona State will be the college programs stopping by USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.

Princeton comes to town for a game with the U18s on Oct. 29, while Arizona State’s new D1 program arrives for two games on Feb. 24-25.

The U18s will play their annual road games at Michigan (Nov. 18) and Michigan State (Dec. 2), as well as road games with Notre Dame, Boston University, Harvard, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Minnesota Duluth, Adrian College and Maine.

Sunday, Oct. 30 marks the start of a U18 Five Nations Tournament in Plymouth – the NTDP U18s have a block on their schedule reserved from Oct. 30 through Nov. 5 for that tournament at their home rink.

Another Five Nations tournament will take place from Feb. 5 to Feb. 13.

The U18s final home game with the national program will take place on April 1 against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

April 9 marks the beginning of the IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship, the prestigious tournament that serves as the culmination of two years in Plymouth for the talented NTDP players.