The USHL announced its USHL All-Rookie Teams for the 2023-24 season on Wednesday.
The United States Hockey League (USHL) has announced its USHL All-Rookie Teams for the 2023–24 season.
USHL All-USHL Rookie First Team
John Mustard, F (Waterloo)
Mustard burst onto the scene with the Waterloo Black Hawks this season. The Providence commit collected a rookie-leading 29 goals, including seven game-winners, seven power-play goals, and 11 power-play assists. Mustard finished second among all USHL rookies with 56 points.
Ben Kevan, F (Des Moines)
Kevan kept pace with Mustard for most of the season and became the top point-getter (57) among USHL rookies. The Arizona State commit enjoyed a breakout first year in the league, recording 24 goals and 33 assists.
Ilya Protas, F (Des Moines)
What's better than one outstanding rookie? How about two for Des Moines? Ilya Protas very quietly put up 51 points this season for the Buccaneers, broken down into 14 goals and 37 assists in 61 games. Central Scouting recognized his efforts, ranking him the No. 49 North American skater in the final rankings after not appearing in the preliminary or midterm lists.
Xavier Veilleux, D (Muskegon)
Veilleux established himself as an excellent puck distributor from the back end, collecting 29 assists, which ranked third-most among USHL rookie skaters. The Muskegon defenseman finished with three goals and 32 points in his first season.
Sascha Boumedienne, D (Youngstown)
One of two tender signings for the Phantoms last year, Boudmedienne enjoyed a solid first year in the USHL. The Youngstown blueliner recorded three goals and 27 points in 49 games during the 2023–24 season. He should have a much larger role next season, with Andrew Strathmann moving on.
Louka Cloutier, G (Chicago)
Cloutier emerged as a true No. 1 in net for Chicago this season. The Quebec native saw increased time between the pipes as the 2023–24 season unfolded. Overall, Cloutier went 14-14-2-3 in 34 appearances for the Steel this season to go along with a 3.68 goals-against average and a 0.904 save percentage with one shutout.
USHL All-USHL Rookie Second Team
John McNelis, F (Sioux Falls)
McNelis had a bit of a slow start to the year as he found his footing in the USHL. However, the goals started to come in bunches. Overall, the Boston University commit finished with 18 goals and 38 points in 62 games for Sioux Falls this past year.
Lev Katzin, F (Green Bay)
Katzin got off to a hot start, recording seven points in his first three games. The points came more sparingly the rest of the way, but the Thornhill, Ontario, native established a solid foundation to build off. Katzin finished with 10 goals and 33 points in 57 games for the Gamblers.
Michael Barron, F (Dubuque)
Barron was a super underrated player on a loaded Dubuque roster. While he lacks the ideal size, he has a terrific net-front presence and seems to always be in a solid position to make plays, especially on second-chance opportunities. Barron finished with 15 goals and 20 assists and registered nearly 100 shots on goal in 61 games.
Elliott Groenewold, D (Cedar Rapids)
Groenewold is still adding offense to his game, but his defense is already well above-average. The big defenseman recorded five goals and 16 points in 57 games for the RoughRiders in 2023–24, but he was sound in his own zone.
Alex Bales, D (Tri-City)
Bales will look to build off his 2023–24 season, in which he scored three goals and 17 points in 34 games played. The Providence commit registered 47 shots on goal and one power-play goal.
Mikhail Yegorov, G (Omaha)
What a find for the Omaha Lancers! Yegorov stands at a towering 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds and will only continue to fill out as he physically matures. The Russian netminder registered a 3.86 goals-against average and a 0.892 save percentage in 43 appearances for the Lancers this season. Yegorov was the No. 1-ranked North American goaltender in Central Scouting's final rankings.
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