Key Matchups Highlight 2024 USHL Fall Classic

The 2024 USHL Fall Classic returns to Cranberry Township for its ninth season. Here is a look at some of the key matchups that fill up the five-day event.

The 2024 Dick's Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic returns for its ninth season at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa., in the upcoming 2024-25 season.

The five-day event will run from September 18-22, and all 16 teams will play two games in front of an expected 400 scouts to get an early look at the draft-eligible talent for next year's draft.

Here is a look at five of the most intriguing matchups.

This year's version will feature top-end talent on both sides in a rematch of the first game in the 2023 USHL Fall Classic. 

No Trevor Connelly for Tri-City this year, who was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights and will skate for Providence College this Fall. However, the Storm boasts tender signing Ilya Morozov. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-shot forward finished with the second-most points (74) for the Windy City Storm 15U team this past season.

Meanwhile, the Phantoms will skate a pair of tender signings in forwards Jack Hextall and Beckham Edwards, who tallied 88 and 97 points for their respective teams last year. Added, Youngstown will welcome in dynamic forward Adam Benak, making this matchup "must-watch television."

Under first-year head coach Lennie Childs, I am curious to see how the Omaha Lancers look this season. The Omaha team that skates in Game 1 of the season will look vastly different than the one that skates in Game 40. Still, this matchup is a great early-season test for the new-look Lancers, who welcome back a good group of returning players to lead the charge forward.

After losing key pieces from last year's team, Madison re-loaded with tender signing and defenseman Jet Kwajah, who looked the part in the Caps' Development Camp. Added, a couple of end-of-season trades to bolster their goaltending depth will see Madison feature Caleb Heil and Ajay White, with the potential to become one of the better 1-2 punches in net around the USHL.

The Chicago Steel will break in tender signings Callum Croskery and Adam Valentini this season while welcoming back key returning players in Lukas Sawchyn and Kolin Sisson. For the second consecutive year, the Steel will be one of the youngest teams in the league, but their goaltending tandem of Louka Cloutier and Jack Parsons figures to be one of the best.

Ben Kevan returns to the Des Moines Buccaneers in 2024-25 after an outstanding rookie season in which he recorded 57 points on 24 goals and 33 assists despite playing in just 59 games. The Bucs could also give Phase I pick Blake Zielinski an extended look while breaking in key Phase II draft picks Gavin Garland and Dylan Moran.

The Fargo Force, who open their season as defending Clark Cup champions against Green Bay on Friday, will wrap up the Fall Classic on Saturday against Muskegon. The Force will skate tender signing Cole Bumgarner, who had 34 points for Rogers (Minnesota) High School last year and will be coming off an international appearance at the U-17 Five Nations Tournament.

The Jacks will break in two tender signings in forwards Rudolfs Berzkalns and Tynan Lawrence, who tallied 63 and 49 points for their respective teams last year. Muskegon lost some big pieces to college and the NHL this offseason, but they welcome back a solid group of returning players ready to take on more responsibility.

The U.S. National Team Development Program U18 team could be one of the deepest and most talented squads in recent memory. Everywhere you look -- Will Moore, Charlie Trethewey, Cole McKinney, Conrad Fondrk -- Team USA is loaded. This group could be one of the most exciting teams in all of junior hockey in the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, the Waterloo Black Hawks are losing critical pieces in USHL Rookie of the Year John Mustard and defenseman Will Felicio, who was initially set to return. However, Felicio is off to college after decommitting from Denver and signing with Michigan. Still, the Black Hawks will break in top Phase I pick Noah Davidson, and Phase II pick Brendan McMorrow, who will be facing his old team for the first time.

Here is the full schedule for the 2024 USHL Fall Classic.

*All times are ET, home team is listed second

Wednesday, September 18

Tri-City vs. Youngstown, 6:00 p.m.

Sioux City vs. Dubuque, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 19

Omaha vs. Madison, 12:00 p.m.

Des Moines vs. Green Bay, 2:00 p.m.

Youngstown vs. Sioux City, 3:00 p.m.

Dubuque vs. Tri-City, 5:00 p.m.

Friday, September 20

Green Bay vs. Fargo, 12:00 p.m.

Madison vs. Lincoln, 2:00 p.m.

Chicago vs. Des Moines, 3:00 p.m.

Cedar Rapids vs. Omaha, 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 21

Waterloo vs. Chicago, 12:00 p.m.

Fargo vs. Muskegon, 2:00 p.m.

Lincoln vs. Cedar Rapids, 3:00 p.m.

Sioux Falls vs. USA Hockey NTDP, 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 22

Muskegon vs. Sioux Falls, 1:00 p.m.

USA Hockey NTDP vs. Waterloo, 2:00 p.m.