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12 // SUMMER 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM AMERICAN JUNIOR HOCKEY SPOTLIGHT p The USHL's western expansion will continue to provide access and exposure to its development path that has recent- ly resulted in international success. Twenty-one players on the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that won gold played in the USHL, includ- ing California native Auston Matthews (NTDP/Toronto Maple Leafs), Jake Guentzel (Sioux City Musketeers/Omaha/ Tampa Bay Lightning), and Jaccob Slavin (Chicago Steel/Colorado College/Carolina Hurricanes). Other notable USHL alumni in the NHL with western ties include Arizona natives Matthew Knies (Tri-City Storm/ Minnesota/Toronto Maple Leafs) and Josh Doan (Chicago Steel/Arizona State/Buffalo Sabres), as well as California native Devin Cooley (Muskegon Lumberjacks/Denver/ Calgary Flames). Comprised of 16 member clubs across Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, the USHL is the only Tier-I junior hockey league in the United States. Madison was the last expansion team to join the League in 2014. "It's an exciting day with the additional news around USHL expansion," said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. "As hockey continues to grow—and we work with our many stakeholders to advance the game—we're thankful to those investing in the future of our sport and creating addition- al opportunities for young players to develop and compete at the Tier-I level." P USHL GO WEST, YOUNG MAN The USHL Has Announced The Six West Coast Markets Targeted To Launch Teams By The 2027-28 Season. FOLLOWING THE PATH of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, and the American Development Model, USA Hockey once again renewed its commitment to innovative player development by establishing the USA Hockey Development League, which will begin operations in the 2027-28 season. The application period for the USA Hockey Development League closed on June 30, 2026. The Development League Joint Subcommittee received more than 80 applications from organizations across the country. All 12 USA Hockey districts were represented, with applications coming from 25 of USA Hockey's 34 affiliates. Applicants will be informed of USA Hockey's decision on Oct. 16. The inaugural USA Hockey Development League season begins August 1, 2027. USA Hockey Development League Update PLAYER DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION OWNERS/MARKETS • Shawn Hicks and Joe Sakic / San Diego, California • John Moreland and Teemu Selänne / Orange County, California • Leorjay Sports / Simi Valley, California • Mark Heintz / Northern California • Justin Reynolds / Prescott Valley, Arizona • Ben Robert / Phoenix, Arizona San Diego, Calif. Orange County, Calif. Simi Valley, Calif. Northern California Prescott Valley, Ariz. Phoenix, Ariz. EXPANSION TEAMS CURRENT TEAMS LEARN MORE!