Murtagh, Benak lead draft prospects into 2025 All-American Prospects Game
Jack Murtagh and Adam Benak will headline the rosters that will compete at the 2025 All-American Prospects Game, USA Hockey has announced.
The All-American Prospects Game will be held Thursday, Jan. 16, at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, MI. The showcase will feature some of the top 2025 NHL Draft eligible players from the US National Team Development Program and the United States Hockey League.
Murtagh, No. 20 in FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2025 draft, is the top-ranked skater set to participate in the contest. He is second on the NTDP in scoring with 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 22 games this season.
“Murtagh’s combination of speed and strength makes him a dangerous offensive force,” FCHockey scout Jacob Roth said. “He’s a great shooter with a quick release and has shown the ability to get shots off while on the move. Where I would like to see him improve is with his puck skills and edge work. If he were able to add some shiftiness to his great straight-line speed, it would greatly increase his NHL potential.”
Benak, No. 22, has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 28 games with Youngstown in the USHL. He had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in five games for Czechia at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup last August.
“Benak is a great skater who displays quite a lot of skill and playmaking abilities,” FCHockey scout Kyle Pereira said. “He can be very difficult to defend one on one with his creativity, skill and IQ. However, his size remains a concern. He tends to play more from the perimeter which is not a very protectable trait to have, and his overall offensive game is still raw and incomplete. That said, if he carves out a big role at the Prospects Game, his flashy style could be a lot of fun to watch. This could push his status as a potential first rounder into more sturdy territory.”
Other players ranked inside FCHockey’s Winter ranking set to participate in the All-American Prospects Game include William Moore (No. 23), Conrad Fondrk (No. 29), Cole McKinney (No. 32), Charlie Trethewey (No. 36), Benjamin Kevan (No. 37), Ryker Lee (No. 43), Luka Radivojevic (No. 44), LJ Mooney (No. 80), Teddy Mutryn (No. 82), and Matthew Lansing (No. 100).
Here are the rosters set to compete in the All-American Prospects Game:
Team Blue
Forwards: Will Belle (USA U-18; NTDP); Adam Benak (Youngstown, USHL); Conrad Fondrk (USA U-18; NTDP); Landon Hafele (USA U-18; NTDP); Benjamin Kevan (Des Moines, USHL); Ryker Lee (Madison, USHL); Mason Moe (Madison, USHL); LJ Mooney (USA U-18; NTDP); William Moore (USA U-18; NTDP); Andrew O’Neill (USA U-18; NTDP); Kade Stengrim (Youngstown, USHL); Ethan Wyttenbach (Sioux Falls, USHL).
Defensemen: Anthony Allain-Samake (Sioux City, USHL); Sean Barnhill (Dubuque, USHL); Donny Bracco (USA U-18; NTDP); Lincoln Kuehne (USA U-18; NTDP); Sam Laurila (Fargo, USHL); Garrett Lindberg (USA U-18; NTDP); Brady Peddle (Waterloo, USHL); Maceo Phillips (USA U-18; NTDP).
Goalies: Bjorn Bronas (Sioux City, USHL); Kam Hendrickson (Omaha, USHL).
Team White
Forwards: Jackson Crowder (Sioux City, USHL); Richard Gallant (USA U-18; NTDP); Jacob Kvasnicka (USA U-18; NTDP); Matthew Lansing (Waterloo, USHL); Cole McKinney (USA U-18; NTDP); Brendan McMorrow (Waterloo, USHL); Jack Murtagh (USA U-18; NTDP); Teddy Mutryn (Chicago, USHL); Ashton Schultz (Chicago, USHL); Jake Stuart (USA U-18; NTDP); Nicolas Sykora (Sioux City, USHL).
Defensemen: Asher Barnett (USA U-18; NTDP); Edison Engle (Des Moines, USHL); Caeden Herrington (Lincoln, USHL); Luka Radivojevic (Muskegon, USHL); Jacob Rombach (Lincoln, USHL); Drew Schock (USA U-18; NTDP); Charlie Trethewey (USA U-18; NTDP).
Goalies: Patrick Quinlan (USA U-18; NTDP); Joey Slavick (USA U-18; NTDP).