The pathway from aspiring-elite youth hockey to the NHL continues to strengthen in the United States.

Following the recent announcement from the NHL, USA Hockey, and the USHL, the three organizations are upping the ante, raising standards, and will, in turn, provide the best development path for American players. Their commitment to the Tier I development model in the United States continues to center on a proven progression: aspiring-elite youth hockey, to the USHL, to the NCAA, and ultimately, the National Hockey League.

For a growing number of TPH Academy student-athletes, that pathway has already become reality.

From Tier I Hockey to the USHL and the Next Level

The USHL is the best development league in the United States, producing NHL Draft picks, professional players, and high-level collegiate talent at an unprecedented rate. More than 50% of NCAA Division I men’s hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players now have USHL experience.

Several TPH Academy student-athletes have followed that progression, advancing from Tier I and AAA hockey into the USHL before continuing on to NCAA programs, NHL Draft selections, international competition, and professional opportunities.

Sean Barnhill

• TPH Academy Phoenix → Phoenix Jr. Coyotes → Dubuque Fighting Saints → Michigan State → NHL 

• Barnhill attended TPH Academy Phoenix while playing for the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes before developing in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and later advancing to the Michigan State Spartans men’s ice hockey team. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft.

Gavin Brindley

• TPH Academy → Florida Alliance → USNTDP → Tri-City Storm → Michigan → NHL

• Brindley attended TPH Academy while skating for the Florida Alliance. He then progressed through the USHL’s Tri-City Storm before continuing to the University of Michigan, representing Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship, and playing more than 50 NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche.

Cole Knuble

• TPH Academy Grand Rapids → Fox Motors → USNTDP → Fargo Force → Notre Dame → NHL

• Knuble spent several years at TPH Academy Grand Rapids while playing for Fox Motors. He became a standout in the USHL with the Fargo Force, helping capture the 2023 Anderson Cup and earning multiple league honors. He later represented Team USA at the World Juniors, advanced to the University of Notre Dame, and was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Carsen Musser

• TPH Academy Detroit → Victory Honda → USNTDP → Madison Capitols → NCAA → NHL

• Following his time at TPH Academy Detroit while skating for Victory Honda, Musser advanced through the NTDP and USHL’s Madison Capitols before continuing his NCAA career, representing Team USA internationally, and being selected in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes.

Hunter Skinner

• TPH Academy Detroit → HoneyBaked → Muskegon Lumberjacks → NHL

• Skinner’s path solidified during his time at TPH Academy Detroit and later included the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and international competition with Team USA before reaching the NHL with the St. Louis Blues.

Andrew Strathmann

• TPH Academy → Windy City Storm → Tri-City Storm → Youngstown Phantoms → North Dakota → NHL

• After attending TPH Academy and skating for the Windy City Storm, Strathmann began his career with multiple USHL stops, represented Team USA at the World Juniors, advanced to the University of North Dakota, and was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Academic Achievement Along the Way

The path continues to produce student-athletes who succeed both on and off the ice. Two TPH Academy alumni were recently named to the 2025-26 USHL All-Academic Team:

• Hunter Lohse: TPH Academy Nashville, Nashville Jr. Predators, Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Cruz Martin: TPH Academy St. Louis, St. Louis AAA Blues, Green Bay Gamblers

A Strengthening Development Pipeline

As the NHL, USA Hockey, and the USHL continue to invest in player development, the USHL has solidified itself as the proving ground for elite talent transitioning from youth hockey to the highest levels of the game. Over the past four years, more than 100 Total Package Hockey athletes have been drafted into the USHL, reflecting both the continued growth of Tier I hockey and the increasing visibility of this pathway for top prospects. 

The USHL provides a clear path for American players to maximize their hockey development, while also preparing them for the rigor of college hockey. At the same time, developing and preparing players for the National Hockey League. The best of both worlds. 

Within this evolving landscape, the ability to thrive in an environment that supports sustained development, manages demanding schedules, and fosters long-term growth has never been more important. For student-athletes looking to take the next step, TPH Academy offers a flexible, student-athlete-centered model that aligns high-performance hockey development with structured academic progress, helping players pursue their goals on the ice while staying prepared for success beyond the game.