Eiserman, Connelly lead Team USA into World Under-18s
Cole Eiserman and Trevor Connelly, projected first-round picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, will lead Team USA into the 2024 IIHF World Under-18s.
The tournament will be held from April 25-May 5, in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland.
Connelly, No. 12 in FCHockey’s Midterm ranking for the 2024 draft, had 78 points (31 goals, 47 assists) in 52 games with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League this season.
Eiserman, ranked No. 13, has 77 points (49 goals, 28 assists) in 50 games with the US National Team Development Program this season. He has 118 goals all-time with the program, eight back of Cole Caufield for the all-time NTDP lead.
In total, 20 of the 22 players named to Team USA are members of the National Team Development Program. Connelly and goaltender Caleb Heil of the Sioux Falls Stampede are the only non-NTDP members invited.
Included in the 20 NTDP skaters is James Hagens. Hagens, a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, leads the NTDP in scoring this season with 80 points (30 goals, 50 assists) in 51 games.
Here’s a look at who will represent Team USA at the World Under-18s:
GOALTENDERS
Caleb Heil, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL); Nicholas Kempf, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Jack Parsons, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP).
DEFENSEMEN
EJ Emery, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Logan Hensler, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Sam Laurila, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Will Skahan, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); John Whipple, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP).
FORWARDS
Austin Baker, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Kamil Bednarik, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Trevor Connelly, Tri-City Storm (USHL); Cole Eiserman, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); James Hagens, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Christian Humphreys, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Brendan McMorrow, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); LJ Mooney, U.S. National Under-17 Team (NTDP); Max Plante, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Teddy Stiga, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Shane Vansaghi, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Lucas Van Vliet, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP); Brodie Ziemer, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP).