United States men's national under-18 ice hockey team
| National Team Development Program (NTDP) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Plymouth, Michigan |
| League | United States Hockey League |
| Division | East |
| Founded | 1996 (in the NAHL) |
| Home arena | USA Hockey Arena |
| Colors | Red, White, Blue |
| Owner(s) | USA Hockey |
| Head coach | John Wroblewski |
| Franchise history | |
| 1996–present | USNTDP |
The National Team Development Program (NTDP) was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players in the country under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad. The teams are both based in Plymouth, Michigan. The stated goal of the NTDP is "to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice." While enrolled in the NTDP, players stay with billet families.
From its founding until 2014–15, the program was based in Ann Arbor, MI, playing games at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. However, following that season the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL relocated, freeing up the what was then known as the Compuware Arena. USA Hockey purchased the facility from Peter Karmanos, renamed it the USA Hockey Arena and moved the NTDP to Plymouth.
The Under-17 and Under-18 teams play games domestically against opponents in the United States Hockey League (Under-17 and Under-18 teams) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Under-18 team), as well as three international tournaments for each team plus occasional friendlies. The NTDP teams previously competed in the North American Hockey League until 2009.
Roster for the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships.
As of April 4, 2017.
As of the 2008–09 season, more than 45 NTDP alumni were playing in the National Hockey League. This includes Patrick Kane, Erik Johnson and Auston Matthews, all of whom were drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft, and Jack Eichel, who was drafted second overall in 2015. At the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, USNTDP alumni Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk were selected 1st and 2nd overall respectively, marking the first time in NHL history in which American born players were selected with the top two picks. At the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, 15 players with ties to the USNTDP were selected, including Jack Campbell and Cam Fowler. Matthews holds the record for most goals in a season with 55, Phil Kessel holds the all-time records in goals with 104. Clayton Keller, selected 7th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, holds the record for most assists in a season with 70 (breaking Jeremy Bracco's previous record of 64) and holds all-time record in points with 182.
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