| CHICAGO, ILL – The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced Wednesday the dates for both the invitation-only 2021 USHL combines as well as the 2021 USHL Draft. The USHL combines feature competitive and educational events for elite young talent across the United States and internationally. Now in their 11th year, USHL combines showcase young players to USHL General Managers, Coaches and scouts annually. 114 players who participated in USHL combines were selected in the 2020 USHL Draft. “Each year, the USHL combines are a fantastic opportunity for prospective players to compete in front of staff members of all 16 USHL Member Clubs, including the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP), while allowing the players and their families to learn more about the benefits of playing in our league,” said USHL Director of Player Personnel Luke Curadi. “With the postponement of USA Hockey Nationals, it was imperative to adjust some of our dates in order to ensure that our USHL Member Clubs could evaluate as many of the top players in the Draft(s) as possible.” Notable alumni of the USHL combines include NTDP alumnus Cole Caufield (Montreal Canadiens, 2020, Round 1, #15), Des Moines Buccaneers alumnus Alex Laferriere (Los Angeles Kings, 2020, Round 3, #83), Youngstown Phantoms alumnus Trevor Kuntar (Boston Bruins, 2020, Round 3, #89), Chicago Steel alumnus Brendan Brisson (Vegas Golden Knights, 2020, Round 1, #29) and former NTDP and current Dubuque Fighting Saints forward Daniyal Dzhaniyev. The combines are attended by a Coach, General Manager or scout from all 16 USHL teams. The dates for the 2021 USHL combines are organized by a player’s birth year:Phase II Combine (2003 & 2004 Birth Years): May 13-16 Phase I Combine (2005 & 2006 Birth Years): May 20-23 Player Development Combine (2007 & 2008 Birth Years): July 22-25 All USHL combines are held at Cornerstone Community Center in Green Bay, Wis.In order to be considered for an invitation, players should complete the online questionnaire HERE. The USHL combines are a great opportunity for a player to make a final impression on coaches and scouts prior to the USHL Phase I and Phase II Drafts – the key points of entry for players into USA Hockey’s only Tier I junior hockey league. The USHL announced the dates for the 2021 Phase I and Phase II Draft for Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27, respectively. Players born in 2005 are eligible for the USHL Phase I Draft, while all players born between 2001-2005 are eligible for the USHL Phase II Draft. Live selections will be hosted at ushl.com and on Twitter (@ushl). More details will be shared as we draw closer to the date of the Drafts. The USHL Player Development Combine is focused on skill development and education. Prospects receive on-ice instruction from USHL coaches and learn developmental practices that teams in the USHL utilize. Players can learn from, and talk with, USHL Coaches and General Managers as they and their families are treated to information sessions, which allow them to be educated on the process of playing junior, collegiate and professional hockey. |
