| USA Hockey Arena will host a party on the patio to kick off the season PLYMOUTH, Mich. – USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program kicks off the home portion of its 2019-20 schedule at USA Hockey Arena this weekend.Team USA will take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats Saturday evening with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Fans can enjoy a pre-game party on the patio featuring live music from acoustic singer Sam Van Wagoner, Tito’s and Labatt drink specials and deals on CJ’s Brewing Company appetizers. The party will run from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.The first 2,000 fans to enter USA Hockey Arena will also receive a 2019-20 Team USA magnet schedule, presented by TCF Bank.Sunday’s contest against the University of Notre Dame, a 4:00 p.m. start, will feature the U18 team poster giveaway for the first 2,000 fans. Stick around after the completion of the game to collect autographs from the entire team.Some familiar faces will be returning to USA Hockey Arena as Irish goaltender Dylan St. Cyr (2015-17), defenseman Matt Hellickson (2014-16) and forwards Trevor Janicke(2016-18), Jake Pivonka (2016-18), Graham Slaggert (2015-17) and Spencer Stastney(2016-18) were all former members of the NTDP. Notre Dame head coach, Jeff Jackson, was the first head coach and senior director in NTDP history from 1996-2000.The U17s will kick off their play in the USHL as they travel to Cedar Rapids for games on Friday and Saturday evenings, both starting at 8:00 p.m. EST at Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Forward Chaz Lucius (Grant, Minn.) leads the team with ten goals scored on the season, while teammates Ty Gallagher (Clarkston, Mich.), Justin Janicke (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Sasha Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.) have chipped in seven points apiece.Team USA went a perfect 4-0 last weekend as the U18s won both matchups at the Dick’s Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic, a 5-2 win over Green Bay before blanking Sioux City 4-0 on Sunday afternoon. The U17s added two wins of their own at the Minnesota Elite League, a 5-2 victory over Sanford Power and a 17-5 win over MSP Magazine. The 17 goals was the biggest scoring output in NTDP history.Last season, Team USA posted a 10-6-1 record against collegiate competition. This year’s NCAA slate features 18 games, six occuring at USA Hockey Arena. After this weekend’s pair of games, Team USA will host North Dakota (Dec. 28), Wisconsin (Jan. 1), Boston University (Jan. 3) and Lake Superior State (Jan. 31).Tickets for any Team USA home game can be purchased by visiting USAHockeyNTDP.com/tix or by calling the USA Hockey Arena box office at 734-453-8400. All Team USA games may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com. For all the latest information on the NTDP, follow the team on all social media @USAHockeyNTDP.For more information, contact Jon Edwards (Jon.Edwards@usahockey.org/734.453.6400 x378). |
