This week, some of the top young talent in the United States Hockey League will face off in the USA Hockey All-American Game. The annual showcase is intended to help America's top draft-eligible talent improve their profile by competing against each other in front of NHL scouts. With names like Cole Hutson and Ryan Leonard playing in recent years, the All-American game boasts an impressive lineup of the game's next generation of great stars. Here are the top players to watch on Team Blue and Team White.
Team Blue
Jack Hextall, Youngstown
The Youngstown Phantoms are flying this season. Tied for first in the Eastern Conference, they are led by an all-star forward lineup including Cooper Simpson and Ryan Rucinski. Add to that list Jack Hextall. The Illinois native has 30 points in 34 games this year, good for 0.88 points per game. Hextall is in his second year in the USHL, and will likely eclipse his point total from last season (34) within the next few games. He is projected as a second round draft pick by NHL Central Scouting. He's committed to play at Michigan State University at the conclusion of the USHL campaign.
Victor Plante, USNTDP
Plante, the product of Hermantown, Minnesota, has high potential. Graded as a second round pick, the winger has come up through the National Team Development Program. In 48 games for the U-17 squad, Plante put up 33 points. In total, Plante has worn the red, white, and blue a total of 127 times in his growing career. Following his time with Team USA, Plante will play for the NCAA powerhouse University of Minnesota Duluth.
Blake Zielinski, Des Moines
A leader in the dressing room, Zielinski was recently named an alternate captain for Des Moines to finish the season. The Berlin, New Jersey product is in his second year in the USHL. Through a total of 66 games with the Buccaneers, Zielinski has 22 goals and 34 assists. A disciplined player, Zielinski has only spent 18 minutes in the penalty box playing for Des Moines. The Buccaneer forward has an exciting hockey future ahead, as he’s also projected to be a second round pick in this year’s draft and has earned a scholarship from Providence College of Hockey East.
Team White
Casey Mutryn, USNTDP
Perhaps the highest graded prospect taking the ice Thursday night, Casey Mutryn is projected to have his name called in the first round this June. Much like his National Team Development Program teammate, Plante, Mutryn has been donning a Team USA uniform since age 17. He's played 151 games representing his country. Mutryn will play for Boston College after graduating from the NTDP.
Landon Hafele, Green Bay
The first overall pick in the 2025 USHL draft, Hafele has been a strong addition to the Gamblers lineup. Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, Hafele has had a strong year so far with 27 points in 27 games. Prior to his time in Green Bay, Hafele played for the USNTDP in 60 games, putting up 17 points. The Gamblers recently came off of a 14 game winning streak and are currently tied for first in the Eastern Conference. Hafele is slotted as a second round pick in the coming NHL draft.
Luke Schairer, USNTDP
The lone defenseman on our list, Schairer is also expected to be a second round selection this summer. The rangy 6'3" defender hails from Charlotte, North Carolina and has played in 36 USHL games, all with the USNTDP. He'll look to impress his future coaches at Boston University in this matchup with some of the best young American forwards coming at him.
You can catch the USA Hockey All-American Game this Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET on NHL Network. For more on these future draft picks, stay tuned to The Hockey News.