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SA HOCKEY'S National Team Development Program announced the 2023-24 U.S. National Under- 17 Team on April 4. Among the 24 players recently named to the 2023-24 U.S. National Under-17 Team part of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program are Will Belle and Harrison Boettinger, a pair of standouts from this year's Shattuck-St. Mary's 16U Team. Boettiger, a goaltender from Wheat Ridge, Colo., and Belle, a forward from Excelsior, Minn., wrapped up the 2022-23 season in San Jose, Calif., at the 2023 Chipotle-USA Hockey Youth Tier I 16U National Championship, helping Shattuck to a 52-3-2 record along the way. Knowing it would be their last time playing in Shattuck's colors was emotional for the two. "It was in the back of my mind when we were playing, espe- cially when we lost," Belle said after the team dropped a 4-1 deci- sion to the Long Island Gulls in San Jose. "It was disappointing because we were the favorites to win, and we lost in the quarter- finals. I realized I was never going to put this jersey on again, so it sat there with me. I've been here for three years, and Nationals was the last time I'd wear the jersey." Boettiger, who just finished his second year at Shattuck, said it was on his mind as well. "We knew we had to leave everything out there because we were never going to be able to represent the school and team like that again," the goaltender said. "It was always on our minds to just do everything we could to represent our school." Boettiger finished the season 25-2-2 with a .928 save percentage, 1.81 goals-against aver- age and four shutouts. Belle put up 29 goals and 30 assists for 59 points. The pair have already spent two years as teammates and now the duo gets to stick together for at least a few more years. "It's a privilege to go to the rink every day with the same guys and to live together," Belle said. "Our team was super close this year. Everybody was friends and we all knew each other really well, so it was fun to be a part of a team like that where you're excited to go practice every day and you're excited to be with your team." While it will be hard to say goodbye to Faribault, Minn., the pair eagerly await their move to Plymouth, Mich., and the chance to wear a USA jersey. "It's been a dream to play for the NTDP," said Belle. "A couple years ago, I would have never thought I would be playing for USA and here we are. It's a chance to represent your country at the highest stage at your age level." It was a dream the two realized together, albeit on slightly dif- ferent timetables. "The forward invites came out before the goalie invites," Boettiger explained with a laugh, "so all my boys were texting me, 'Check your e-mail, Harry,' and I was like, 'There's nothing there!' So, it was a little nerve-wracking for me, but it was really a good moment when we found out we made it." Boettiger's teammate laughed alongside him about that morning. "I remember texting him to look at his e-mail and he called me and was freaking out," Belle added. "He's going, 'wait, I didn't get one, what's going on?' But when it ultimately came down to that final roster of 24 players who would be heading to Michigan, there was no doubt in Belle's mind that Shattuck's netminder would be among them. PHOTOS BY credit U by CALEIGH BURCHFIELD THE FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY Shattuck-St. Mary's Standouts Look Forward to Being Part of the NTDP 30 // APRIL 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Will Belle IT'S BEEN A DREAM TO PLAY FOR THE NTDP. A couple years ago, I would have never thought I would be playing for USA and here we are.