Photo from the World U17 Challenge official Twitter account.

NTDP U17 Team wins World Under-17 Challenge

Photo from the World U17 Challenge official Twitter account

 

By @MichaelCaples –

Another win for the NTDP Under-17 Team – this one a little more significant than the others, though.

Last night, the U17s won the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C., with a 6-4 win over Canada Red.

It’s USA Hockey’s first victory in the tournament since 2014.

Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield, the two offensive leaders in the championship game, were also the two U.S. players named to the all-tournament team. Hughes led the U17 Challenge in total scoring with 15 points, while Caulfield recorded a tournament-high eight goals – including a hat trick in the final contest.

“We got contributions from everybody throughout the tournament,” NTDP coach John Wroblewski said via EnergeticCity.ca. “And what can you say about Jack and Cole they are two special players who have unbelievable skill sets. I’m so proud of our accomplishment after so much work and dedication went into it.”

The U17s are now 15-1-0-0 on the season; a remarkable feat considering the majority of their games have been against USHL competition with players up to four years older. They posted a perfect 6-0 record in the U17 Challenge, as well.