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 Western 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 Western Conference teams.
Let's dive in.
Des Moines Buccaneers
Dylan Moran, F
Taken in the sixth round, 84th overall, Moran steps into the USHL after spending last year with the Chicago Reapers 16U AAA team. There, the 6-foot-1, 174-pound right-shot forward showed his skill set both as a shooter and passer.
Moran tallied 27 goals and 29 assists in 39 games, making his 56 points the second-most on Chicago's roster in 2023-24. He was also a standout performer in the USA Hockey Selects 17 Tournament, where he tallied three goals and eight points in only six games.
The 17-year-old will look to become a contributor for Des Moines in his NHL draft-eligible season.
Fargo Force
Sam Laurila, D
Laurila spent the last two years at the U.S. National Team Development Program more in a defensive role. As such, the 17-year-old's defensive game is well-rounded. Laurila does an excellent job in own zone of keeping guys to the outside.
That said, North Dakota commits figures to be inserted into more offensive situations with the Fargo Force, a unit losing USHL Defenseman of the Year Leo Gruba to the NCAA.
Laurila had just seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in his two-year residency but could be well-positioned for a breakout season in Fargo this season.
Lincoln Stars
Daniel Shlaine, F
As the fourth overall pick in the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft, Shlaine put up some big numbers at Shattuck last year. The 18-year-old forward tallied 20 goals and 54 assists, making his 74 points the sixth-most on the team.
The University of Minnesota-Duluth commit checked in as the No. 153 overall North American skater by Central Scouting for the 2024 NHL Draft. While he went undrafted, Shlaine will have the opportunity to be selected as a re-entry candidate should he have a big year with the Stars.
Omaha Lancers
Lucas Busch, F
Busch came highly-regarded as a third-round pick, 31st overall, in the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft. The 18-year-old got his feet wet in junior hockey last season with the NAHL's Wisconsin Windigo. There, he recorded two goals and three assists for five points in only 13 games, proving that he could be an impact player at this level.
Captaining Maple Grove High School (Minnesota) last year, Busch also brings an invaluable leadership quality to an Omaha squad with a solid core group of players leading the rebuild.
With Maple Grove, Busch scored 23 goals and 47 points, and he will be a player to watch for the Lancers in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Sioux City Musketeers
Nikita Klepov, F (2026)
Klepov was signed to a tender agreement in early April after a big season with the W.B./Scranton Knights 15U AAA team this past year. The 5-foot-9, 146-pound forward tallied an impressive 31 points and 41 assists, making his 72 points the most on the team by a wide margin.
Despite being an undersized player, Klepov has shown the ability to take the puck hard to the net. After the initial adjustment period to the USHL, the 16-year-old has the talent and the skill set to be a significant contributor to Sioux City this year.
Sioux Falls Stampede
Sam Spehar, F (2025)
Spehar got his feet wet in the USHL at the start of last season, where he recorded four points (all assists) in 11 games played before returning to the Sioux Falls Power. With the 16U team there, the Denver commit put up 32 goals and 34 assists for the second-most points (66) on the Power.
The 17-year-old forward was a standout performer for Team USA at the Five Nations Tournament last year and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer. Spehar plays a hard 200-foot game with an incredible motor. I think he will be an exceptional player for the Herd this season.
Tri-City Storm
Ilya Morozov, F (2026)
Despite recently turning 16 years of age, Morozov already has good size. He's listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds and should only fill out as he physically matures.
The left-shot forward was signed to a tender agreement amidst his huge year with the Windy City Storm 15U AA team. There, he tallied 33 goals and 41 assists, making his 74 points the second-most on the roster.
Morozov has the potential to come in and take over the league, much like now-former Tri-City Storm forward Trevor Connelly (VGK) did in the second half of his rookie season.
Waterloo Black Hawks
Brendan McMorrow, F
With the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft, the Waterloo Black Hawks looked to the NTDP for a forward seeking a third year of development. The Hawks grabbed the talented Brendan McMorrow, who primarily spent last season in a bottom-six role with the U18s.
The Denver commit accumulated 22 points on eight goals and 14 assists during the 2023-24 season and 31 points on 14 goals and 17 assists the year prior. McMorrow has the skill set and the motor to be wildly successful as a third-year player in the USHL.
He will likely have the opportunity to play top-six forward minutes for the Black Hawks this year, which will only help him to reach his potential before heading off to college in Fall 2025.