ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Forwards Sean Dhooghe (Aurora, Ill.), Grant Mismash (Edina, Minn.), Michael Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.), Scott Reedy (Prior Lake, Minn.) and Brady Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.); and with defensemen David Farrance (Victor, N.Y.), Max Gildon (Plano, Texas), Quinn Hughes (Orlando, Fla.), Nate Knoepke (Farmington, Minn.) and Josh Maniscalco (Perkiomenville, Pa.) will join USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for the 2015-16 season. The players, all from the 1999 birth year, will compete as members of the U.S. National Under-17 Team.
Dhooghe tallied nine goals and added 10 assists in 18 games with the Chicago Mission midget minor program out of the High Performance Hockey League. The forward is committed to Ohio State University.
Mismash netted 21 goals and recorded 25 helpers in 39 games for Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) prep team. The second youngest player on the roster, Mismash’s point total ranked third on the squad while he scored the second most goals. He is committed to the University of North Dakota.
Pastujov appeared in five games in an injury-shortened season for the Honeybaked (Mich.) midget minor program of the High Performance Hockey League. The forward is committed to the University of Michigan.
Reedy lit the lamp 23 times and added 32 assists for Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) prep team. A commit to the University of Minnesota, Reedy’s 55 total points ranked fifth on the team.
Tkachuk accumulated 43 points (15-28) in 30 games for the St. Louis Blues midget minor program of the Tier I Elite Hockey League. He led the team in points, assists and ranked third in goals scored.
Farrance tallied 27 goals and registered 25 assists for the Syracuse (N.Y.) Jr. Stars midget minor squad out of the United States Premier Hockey League. The future Boston University Terrier led all blue-liners in points (52) and ranked eighth among all skaters in the regular season while adding two scores in three playoff contests. His efforts earned him league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The defenseman also starred for Victor (N.Y.) High School, totaling 46 points (28-18) in 18 combined regular-season and playoff games.
Gildon patrolled the blue line for the Dallas Stars midget minor team from the Tier I Elite Hockey League. Gildon led all defenseman on the squad and ranked fourth overall with 15 points (7-8) in 24 games played. Of his seven goals, one was on the power play, one shorthanded and two were game-winners.
Hughes was a defenseman on the Toronto Marlboros midget minor team that claimed both the GTHL title and OHL Cup. In 76 games played, Hughes averaged nearly one point-per-game, notching 18 goals and racking up 49 assists. He is committed to the University of Michigan.
Knoepke laced up his skates for Lakeville South High School in Minnesota during the 2014-15 season. The defenseman played in 25 regular-season games, netting three goals and adding seven assists. He also appeared in two playoff games for the Cougars.
Maniscalco skated in 54 contests for the Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.) prep team. The blue-liner notched six goals and recorded 15 helpers. He is committed to the University of Minnesota.
Notes: The U.S. National Under-17 Team will play in the United States Hockey League, the top junior league in the United States. It will also compete in three international tournaments, including the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, 2015 Four Nations Tournament and 2016 Five Nations Tournament … Sean Dhooghe’s brother, Jason, skates for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League and is committed to Ohio State University. Jason also played in two games with the U.S. National Under-18 Team this season … Michael Pastujov’s brother, Nick, is a member of the National Team Development Program and currently plays for the U.S. National Under-17 Team … Brady Tkachuk’s brother, Matthew, played as a member of the NTDP from 2013-15 and was recently named to the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team competing in the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Men’s World Championship. Additionally, Brady’s father Keith played in the NHL for 19 years, starred in four Olympics for the U.S. and was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 … Quinn Hughes’ father, Jim, is the director of player development for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs … Grant Mismash, Scott Reedy and Josh Maniscalco were teammates on Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep team, helping the club to the USA Hockey Minnesota District 18U Tier I championship.
