As the USHL returns from the holiday break, take a look back at 10 of the league's first-half standouts
The USHL returns from the holiday break Friday night with six games, followed by eight on Saturday and one on Sunday. The full schedule can be viewed here.
A number of players have enjoyed successful seasons up to this point, several of which went into the break on a roll.
Here’s a look at some of the league’s first-half standouts.
Adam Benak, F, Youngstown
Benak was held off the score sheet in his final game before the game. However, that Dec. 14 win snapped a 13-game point streak, and Benak racked up 16 points (6-10-16) in that 13-game stretch.
The 2025 draft prospect has enjoyed a strong start to his USHL career and is a big reason why Youngstown is 7-3-0 over its past 10. Benak had just eight points (2-6-8) through his first 12 games but caught fire over the final six weeks before the break.
Matthew Desiderio, D, Dubuque
Desiderio has quietly been one of the USHL’s top point producers on the back end and has 19 on the season (7-12-19), which ranks third among all defensemen. Desiderio has been on a roll of late too, as he has points in nine of his past 10.
The 19-year-old defenseman is in his second full USHL season and previously spent a year in the NAHL with the Austin Bruins. His seven goals are already a career high and he’s scored four times on the power play.
Landen Gunderson, F, Sioux City
Gunderson had 12 points in his first USHL season (2022-23) and 18 last season. However, he’s been one of the league’s best breakout stories and has 36 points through 28 games, which ranks second in the league. His 11 goals are also tied for ninth.
Gunderson has scored in five of his past six games and has 13 points (6-7-13) over his past seven too, and the Ohio State commit has 11 multi-point efforts this season. Sioux City has won three straight and is tied for fourth in the Western Conference with 30 points.
Caeden Herrington, D, Lincoln
Herrington leads all USHL defensemen with eight goals and his five power-play tallies are tied for third in the league overall, and Herrington is establishing himself as an intriguing 2025 re-entry candidate.
The Vermont commit had a goal and three assists over 16 games with Green Bay last season. However, he’s taken advantage of his opportunity in Lincoln and was named to the Chipotle All-American Game earlier this week. Herrington leads Lincoln’s blue line with 54 shots and is averaging just over 18 minutes per night.
Sam Laurila, D, Fargo
Laurila has taken advantage of his new surroundings and opportunity in Fargo. The UND commit has 22 points (4-18-22) through 22 games and is a plus-9, and his 22 points lead all USHL blue liners.
Laurila recorded points in 11 of his final 13 games before the break and he’s getting time on both the power play – where he has eight of his points – and penalty kill. Fargo’s penalty kill is the best in the league at 88.2%.
Ryker Lee, F, Madison
Ryker Lee has emerged as one of the USHL’s top draft prospects and is enjoying a stellar rookie season. His 10 goals are the most among first-year players and his 24 points are tied for the rookie scoring lead, along with being tied for seventh in the league overall. Lee also has five goals and four assists on the power play.
Lee received a B rating on Central Scouting’s Preliminary Draft List and he also earned a spot on the U.S. WJAC roster and an invite to next month’s Chipotle All-American Game. Madison’s .708 win percentage is tied for the best in the league.
Artemi Nizameyev, F, Tri-City
Artemi Nizameyev leads the USHL with 22 goals and 38 points through 28 games, and the Miami commit continues to excel in his third USHL season.
Nizameyev’s 22 goals are already a career-high and he also leads the USHL with six game-winning goals, after netting just one game-winner through his first two USHL seasons (102 games). Nizameyev has 9-7-16 over his current six-game point streak and has notched points in 17 of his past 20 games.
Nolan Roed, F, Tri-City
Sticking on Tri-City’s top line, Roed also enjoyed a terrific first half for the Storm. The left-shot center ranks fourth in the USHL with 31 points and his 14 goals are tied for fourth, and Roed is a plus-5.
The White Bear Lake, Minn. product has been one of the USHL’s top centers at both ends of the rink and has blended his offensive production with speed and solid defensive play. Roed owns a six-game point streak and has points in eight of his past nine, racking up 7-12-19 in that stretch.
Ethan Wyttenbach, F, Sioux Falls
Wyttenbach has been one of the league’s top rookies and has 24 points (9-15-24) through 24 games, which is tied with Ryker Lee for the rookie scoring lead. Wyttenbach’s nine goals also rank second and he scored in three of his final four games before the break.
Sioux Falls has points in nine (7-1-1-1) of its past 10 and the Stampede are currently tied for second in the West with 34 points, although their .708 win percentage is tied with Madison for the best in the USHL. Wyttenbach has earned a spot on Sioux Falls’ top line and power play, where he’s scored three of his nine goals.
Will Zellers, F, Green Bay
The Colorado pick (2024, 3rd) played one USHL game during the 2022-23 season and stayed at Shattuck last year, but he returned to Green Bay this fall and has enjoyed an impressive first half. Zellers scored twice in his season debut and has lit the lamp 15 times through 17 games, which ranks third in the USHL.
Zellers has scored four of the 15 on the power play and four of his goals have been game-winners, and he’s picked up six assists as well. Zellers owns a USHL-best 12-game point streak and has scored 11 times in that stretch, including three multi-goal efforts.
