What Were You Doing When You Were Under 18?

Probably Not Going to Aggannis to Play Against the Defending National Champs

But you're also probably not as talented as the kids in the USA Hockey Development Program.  These games are always fun to watch, because the kids you see here always seem to pop up somewhere down the road.

As you can see, it's a big deal for these kids to skate against the best college hockey clubs, and they always bring their best game.


  They are the cream of the crop as far as US skaters go, and more often than not, the Terriers have a few recruits to speak of on the team.

This year is no different as there are two future IceDogs to watch for on the Baby Olympians. 

First is winger Matt Nieto.  Nieto had a monster year for the U-17 club last season, and finished off his year by continuing to put on a show at the U-18 level.  He put up a ridiculous 67 points last year between the two teams.  He is certainly a huge recruit for BU, having committed to the Terriers just two days ago.

Here is a story about Nieto from the USA hockey website.

The other player on the U-18 team that will be skating full-time at Aggannis next season is Adam Clendening.  Clendening, a defender, tallied 5 points and 18 penalty minutes in 23 games last year.

Both players were born in the fall of 1992, which makes me feel incredibly old.

Other kids on the team committed to Notable Schools:

Bill Arnold, Center (Boston College)
Andy Iles, Goaltender (Cornell)
Kevin Clare, Defense (Michigan)
Jeff Campbell, Goaltender (Michigan)
Jacob Fallon, Winger (Michigan)
Luke Moffatt, Center (Michigan)
John Merrill, Defense (Michigan)
Jared Tinordi, Defense (Notre Dame)
Stephen Johns, Defense (Notre Dame)
Nick Shore, Winger (Denver)
Jason Zucker, Winger (Denver)
Justin Faulk, Defender (Minnesota-Duluth)
Derek Forbort, Defense (North Dakota)
Michael Mersch, Winger (Wisconsin)
Frank Simonelli, Defense (Wisconsin)

Full List of Committed Recruits


Moral of the story?
--The rich get richer.  There are nothing but powerhouse programs snatching up kids from this team.

--Do not mess with Michigan in five years.  When their 5 recruits are all grown up, chances are they'll be knocking people's heads off in the Frozen Four.

USA Hockey Development Program Media Guide