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That growth also means there are more high-quality American college players available, exemplified by the accompany- ing list of players leading men's Division I statistically as of the middle of December. The depth allowed for more Division I p r o g r a m s ( n o w 6 4 ) a n d a s t r o n g e r transfer portal, due to extended eligibil- ity from the COVID -19 pandemic, that gives players options if their current situation disappoints. That is a great help to a renewed program like Alaska-Anchorage. The independent Seawolves are in their second season after the program was suspended, much like Atlantic Hockey member Robert Morris, which restarted this fall. While the transfer portal helps in the short term, it is the deep- er talent pool that is providing the building blocks for programs looking to move into or stay in the upper echelon. "The challeng e is breaking through that upper crust and winning with con- sistency," said Garrett Raboin, head coach at Augustana (S.D.) University. "You are seeing the mid-majors and some new upstarts competing with the big-time pro- grams. It's all connected with the American Developmental Model's emphasis on edu- cation and developing youth coaches. The commitment to that has increased the devel- opment, as players rise through the ranks." The eight new or renewed programs since 2014 are competitive, with a com- bined 42-60-16 record (including 0-16 Stonehill College), as of Dec. 7. The group is led by ranked independent Arizona S t a t e ( 1 1 - 3 - 2 ) , w h i c h w i l l j o i n t h e National Collegiate Hockey Conference next season. " B e f o r e t h e p o r t a l , s t a r t i n g a n e w program required a four-year recruit- ing c ycle," Riley said. "That's not the case now." The expansion of junior leagues into n o n t r a d i t i o n a l m a r k e t s, s u c h a s t h e North American Hockey League's New Mexico Ice Wolves, helps reach youth players who can realistically dream of playing juniors and perhaps moving on to playing Division I or non-scholarship Division III and ACHA club hockey. The better level of play in junior hockey is a result of improved youth coaching. "I have been really impressed," Raboin said. "I have three children in youth hock- ey in Sioux Falls and the commitment to how USA Hockey educates coaches in modules or in person really shows. The money and energy spent developing coaches is paying off." The improved talent and the expanded transfer portal gave the new programs the jump start they needed now and for all in the future. " We are living in an interesting time," Raboin said. "It's a great time for college hockey to grow." P Lighting The Lamp JACKSON BLAKE University of North Dakota, Sophomore Forward (Eden Prairie, Minn.) The 2021 Carolina Hurricanes fourth-round draft pick paces UND with 11 goals and is tied for the team lead with 11 assists. The 2022-23 NCHC Rookie of the Year led the Fighting Hawks last season with 42 points, becoming only the third UND freshman since 1980 to lead the team in points. 24 // JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS COURTESY University of North Dakota; Getty Images Here are several American college players leading men's Division 1 statistically at the midpoint of the season. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY WILL JOIN THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE HOCKEY CONFERENCE NEXT SEASON. It's all connected with the American Developmental Model's emphasis on education and developing youth coaches. The commitment to that has increased the development as players rise through the ranks." –Garrett Raboin, head coach for Augustana University