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TWENTY-FOUR PLAYERS, including 13 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders have been selected to join USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. The players join USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and compete as the U.S. National Under-17 Team for the 2023-24 season. "The depth of our potential player pool is as strong as it has ever been thanks in part to many, including the volun- teers at the grassroots level all across our nation," said Kevin Reiter, director of player personnel for the National Team Development Program. "We had a terrific selection camp and all the players involved have a bright future ahead. It was extremely difficult to get to the final roster and we congratulate the players who were selected." The NTDP is a two-year residency program for high-per- formance players that is located at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The Under-17 Team plays in the United States Hockey League, the only Tier I junior hock- ey league in the United States, as well as against select competition in the North American Hockey League and Minnesota Elite League. Each season, the U17 Team also competes in three international tournaments. The 24 rostered players come from 13 different states; Minnesota (6), New York (3), Illinois (2), Michigan (2), North Dakota (2), Pennsylvania (2), Alaska (1), California (1), Colorado (1), Maine (1), Maryland (1), Massachusetts (1) and Wisconsin (1). P 2023-24 U.S. NATIONAL UNDER-17 TEAM ANNOUNCED JOURNEY Roster includes 24 players who will compete for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program "I don't want to pump his tires," the Minnesota native said with a smile, "but he's pretty good. I looked at him and I made a little signing motion with my hands, and he just nodded." The bond the two have extends beyond their own friend- ship and to their parents, who are equally as close as their sons. In fact, it was Belle's father who drove the boys to the NTDP tryout camp at USA Hockey Arena last month. "My parents have been with me every step of the way," Belle said. "If it wasn't for them pushing me this hard, making me get up in the morning as a kid when I didn't want to and doing every little possible thing to help me succeed, none of this would be possible." Boettiger added, "I'm so thankful for our parents because without them, we don't have anything." The two standouts look forward to continuing to rep- resent their families, themselves and the red, white and blue next season. "You grow up and everybody knows what the national team is for whatever sport you play, so obviously it's an honor to represent your country," Boettiger concluded. "Doing it for what you love most and what you're passion- ate about is really special. We are excited." P APRIL 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 31 CLICK HERE to view the full 2023-24 U17 roster Harrison Boettiger