USHL Player Development is a division of the League exclusively devoted to enhancing the USHL's communication with, scouting, and recruitment of the very best hockey talent in the United States and internationally. Part of the communication and recruitment process of the top players in the world is to educate and share the unique opportunities the USHL has to offer.
The USHL had 190 NCAA Division I hockey commitments last year, 27 USHL Alumni signed NHL contracts last year, 17 USHL players were chosen in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and to date 109 former USHL players have played in the NHL. The USHL is the crown jewel of the USA Hockey Development model. The USHL provides an opportunity for players to reach their goals of playing in the NHL while also providing an opportunity to play NCAA hockey.
The USHL represents the best in hockey; the league does not ask you to sacrifice choices. The USHL helps you keep them. A USHL player can play up to 80 games with preseason, regular season, and playoff games. 90% of the games are on the weekends to make sure school work is a priority. Players attend school, have part time jobs, or are regularly doing community service during their free time. Players are able to play and practice in professional facilities. Players regularly play in front of an average of 2,800 fans a game. The team objectives are to win the Clark Cup Playoffs and the Anderson Cup Regular Season Championship. The USHL celebrates what makes hockey great: Commitment, Integrity, Honor, and Excellence on and off the Ice.
USHL Player Development assumes the functions of the USHL's Central Scouting group, previously overseen via a consulting arrangement. USHL Player Development is now managed directly out of the USHL Commissioner's Office.
Player Development's focus is to find players who are cut out for the USHL. The USHL is an elite league. Its players have to be prepared mentally and physically to play at a high level at all times. What Player Development looks for are complete players who can adapt to the rigors of a demanding practice and game schedule. When evaluating a player, Player Development ranks the player's skating skills, puck skills, hockey sense, and competitive drive. Most importantly a USHL prospect must be a good teammate and have a character of high quality.
USHL Player Development will be hosting three USHL Combines in Chicago this spring. The purpose of the Combines is to bring the top players in the world to an event where USHL teams can evaluate players before the 2010 USHL Entry Draft and the 2010 USHL Futures Draft. Players will be evaluated on the ice in games and practices. There will also be off-ice testing of strength, speed, agility, and character. The Combines are designed to help USHL teams gather as much information as possible before making their draft day decisions. The Combines are the best way for a player to gain exposure in front of the entire USHL network.
If you are interested in attending a USHL Combine, please complete and submit this form. For purposes of a quality evaluation process for the coaches, only the best players in the world at their respective age groups will be invited.
USHL Player Development is headed by two highly regarded people in the hockey world.
Thornton, has been the Atlantic District scout for the USHL, is currently in his fifth season as director of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League's New Jersey Rockets and owner of the ELITE Hockey Group. He has helped develop, promote, and draft numerous players to the USHL, NCAA, and NHL through the Rockets organization. A USHL alumnus, Bob played for the Des Moines Buccaneers in 1994-95 as the Bucs won the USHL's "Triple Crown" - the Anderson Cup, Clark Cup, and Gold Cup (the Junior "A" national championship for which the USHL competed prior to acquiring Tier 1 status) under head coach Bob Ferguson. He also won an OHL Championship, and participated in the CHL's Memorial Cup with the North Bay Centennials in 1993-94. Thornton's professional career spanned seven seasons (1996-2003) in the ECHL; he also served as an assistant coach for the ECHL Roanoke Express in 2003-04.
Comley is in his second season as an Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator for the Sioux City Musketeers, after spending two years (2006-2008) as assistant coach for the Des Moines Buccaneers. Comley, who will continue his duties for the Musketeers, has also has served in a scouting capacity for Des Moines and Waterloo in the USHL. He has helped draft, recruit, and develop eight NHL draft picks through the Musketeers and Buccaneers organizations, as well as send 42 players on to Division I NCAA Hockey careers.
George has been a full time goaltending coach and consultant for the New Jersey Rockets youth and junior program over the last five seasons and was also part of USHL central scouting. He has a wealth of experience as an evaluator for USA hockey and playing experience at the minor league level. George will be consulting for USHL player development and evaluating the top rated goaltenders for the futures draft.
Bill is in his 10th season as founder and President of the Michigan Developmental Hockey League. The league is composed entirely of Michigan high school players selected from a statewide tryout, exists for the sole purpose of exposing and promoting its players to the next level. The league runs during September and October in Plymouth, MI. The MDHL is now a regular stop for many NHL, NCAA, and junior scouts and coaches. Over the last 10 years, the MDHL has produced six NHL draft picks and has moved many players on to the USHL and NCAA Division I programs.
Rick has over 20 years of coaching experience in California. He is currently the head coach of the LA Selects 95 team and has developed several top prospects that have moved on to NCAA, USHL, WHL, and NHL. Rick is also an agent with The Sports Corporation in Edmonton, Alberta which is owned by agent Rich Winter.
Dan has 18 years of Junior and Pro Hockey Development and Scouting Experience. He spent six years at the NHL level as the Player Development Coach and then became the Director of Player Development for the New York Islanders. Dan became the Head coach of the American Hockey League, Bridgeport Soundtigers during the 2006-07 season. Currently Dan is president of the New York Junior Bobcats (AJHL) and has moved several players onto the USHL.
Angelo Ricci has over 18 years of experience coaching and scouting hockey. Angelo is currently the Director of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Thunderbirds and Head Coach for the U16 AAA team. In conjunction with his coaching, he shares his passion, skill and knowledge as a USA Hockey Coaching Education Program Presenter ('99-present) and as a USA Hockey District Festival Head Coach ('04-present). He was a leading scorer for the Omaha Lancers ('89-'91) and was named twice to the USHL All-Star Game. Angelo was part of Omaha's Anderson Cup in 1989-1990 and Clark Cup Championships in 1989-1990 and 1990-1991. In 2005, he was inducted into Omaha's Hockey Hall of Fame. He played hockey at the University of Denver from 1991-1995.
Currently, Dennis is the Head Coach of the Chicago Fury Midget Majors. Dennis has moved several players onto the USHL, NCAA, and professional hockey. Dennis also has an impressive playing career. Dennis was 1 of 13 U.S. born players picked in the first two rounds of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. Dennis played NCAA hockey for the Bull Dogs of Minnesota Duluth. He went on to play in 232 NHL games with the New York Islanders and then finished his NHL career with the Boston Bruins.
