We're getting ready for another USHL season on The Hockey News with a look at some of the new faces in new places in the Eastern Conference.
The 2024-25 USHL season is right around the corner. To help get you ready, The Hockey News' USHL writer Ryan Sikes is looking at one new face you need to know on all eight Eastern Conference teams.
Let's dive in.
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
Gabriel Eliasson, D (OTT)
The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are expected to lose Elliott Groenewold (BOS) to Quinnipiac University in the fall, but Mark Carlson has another big defenseman on the way.
Eliasson stands at a towering 6-foot-6 and weighs 212 pounds. The 17-year-old had just six points on one goal and five assists for the HV71 J20 in Sweden last year.
The big blueliner skates well for his size and has made a name for himself as a heavy-hitter.
Ottawa selected him in the second round of the 2024 NHL draft with the hope that he can round out his offensive game in the USHL this season.
Dubuque Fighting Saints
Lucas Van Vliet, F (VGK)
The Eastern Conference-champion Dubuque Fighting Saints are expected to lose their top-six scoring forwards from last season, including Noah Powell.
However, the Saints selected Lucas Van Vliet in the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft after the Michigan State commit spent the last two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Van Vliet tallied 22 points on 13 goals and nine assists with the NTDP U18 team in 2023–24, primarily skating in a bottom-six role.
The 18-year-old could have a breakout year playing top-six minutes for Dubuque this coming season.
Madison Capitols
Jet Kwajah, D (2026)
The Capitols were dealt a blow when 2024 USHL Phase II pick Kristian Epperson signed with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit this summer.
However, Madison should be plenty excited for their incoming tender signing in defenseman Jet Kwajah.
The 16-year-old, listed at six feet tall and 157 pounds, tallied 23 points on three goals and 20 assists for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA last year.
Kwajah is an excellent skater who brings a pass-first mentality to the USHL and plays with a high hockey IQ.
USA Hockey NTDP
JP Hurlbert, F (2026)
Hurlbert was ranked as the No. 1 skater in Puck Preps' 2008 North American rankings and recently committed to the University of Michigan.
The 16-year-old, listed at 5-foot-10 and 161 pounds, racked up an impressive 40 goals and 36 assists for 76 points with the Dallas Stars Elite 16U AAA squad last year.
Hurlbert will start with the NTDP U17 team in the fall, but I would not be at all surprised if he sees some time with the U18s toward the end of the 2024–25 season.
Chicago Steel
Adam Valentini, F (2026)
The Chicago Steel will feature a relatively young nucleus of players in the upcoming 2024–25 season, and tender signing Adam Valentini figures to be at the center of it.
The 16-year-old forward, listed at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, was named the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) Player of the Year after recording 67 points in 32 games with the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA squad last year.
Valentini, who recently committed to the University of Michigan, brings a high level of intelligence to the USHL and features an accurate and heavy shot that makes him a dangerous scorer anywhere within the offensive zone.
Green Bay Gamblers
William Samuelsson, F (DAL)
The Green Bay Gamblers will welcome in 2024 USHL Phase II pick William Samuelsson for the upcoming season after he spent last season skating with the Södertälje SK J20 in Sweden.
There, the 18-year-old tallied 44 points on 18 goals and 26 assists in 50 games. Samuelsson's high motor on offense pairs with a strong defensive game that makes him a threat as a two-way center.
The young forward comes from a hockey bloodline following in the footstep of his father, Mikael Samuelsson, who won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
Muskegon Lumberjacks
Tynan Lawrence, F (2026)
The Jacks are losing the USHL's leading scorer, Matvei Gridin (CGY), along with Sacha Boisvert (CHI) and Cody Croal. However, forward Tynan Lawrence is a player that Muskegon fans should be excited to watch this season.
The 16-year-old was one of two tender signings for the Lumberjacks and skated with the Shattuck St. Mary's 16U AAA team this past year. There, Lawrence recorded 22 goals and 27 assists for 49 points.
The Boston University commit is a terrific skater, and he pairs that with his incredibly quick hands to make plays in tight quarters.
Youngstown Phantoms
Adam Benák, F (2025)
The Youngstown Phantoms hit a home run in landing forward Adam Benák for the upcoming 2024–25 season. The 17-year-old is small in stature, listed at 5-foot-7 and 157 pounds, but he is an offensive speedster that can score in a lot of different ways.
He's not just a scorer either; Benák is so dynamic with the puck on his stick and attracts so much attention from the opposition that it often leaves his teammates open for quality scoring chances.
Benák played above his age group last season and tallied 29 points with the HC Plzeň U20 in Czechia.
Added, he performed well for the second consecutive year at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording a team-high 11 points en route to helping Czechia claim a silver medal.