As the puck drops on the 2024-25 USHL season Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic, several players will be returning to the league with a new designation -- NHL-affiliated prospect. Dozens of players who heard their name called at The Sphere in Las Vegas last summer will dot USHL rosters over the course of the season.

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• USHL Preview: Five Rookies To Watch

To help get you ready for the Fall Classic and the season ahead, FloHockey’s USHL writer Ryan Sikes is here to share five thoughts on key topics to monitor as the season gets underway. After taking a look at top tender signings of the offseason, as well as some of the key additions teams made over the summer, here's a glance at five 2024 NHL Draft picks returning for another season of development in the USHL.

Recent NHL Draft Prospects To Watch

Mikhail Yegorov, G, Omaha Lancers (NJD)

Yegorov emerged as the No. 1 for Omaha last year and played much better than his numbers might suggest: 3.86 goals-against average and 0.892 save percentage in 43 games. The 18-year-old stands at a towering 6-foot-5 and takes up a lot of space in net and was one of five goalies selected in the second round last year. The Devils picked Yegorov 49th overall.

With the 49th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft the @NJDevils Select Mikhail Yegorov! pic.twitter.com/2kgkHO2W6Y

— Omaha Lancers (@OmahaLancers) June 29, 2024

Will Zellers, C/W, Green Bay Gamblers (COL)

Zellers makes the jump to the USHL after a big year with Shattuck St. Mary’s last season. The Maple Grove, Minn., native posted 54 goals and 57 assists with the 18U team, leading the team with 111 points. Zellers was selected in the third round, 76th overall by the Colorado Avalanche last June.

Luke Osburn, D, Youngstown Phantoms (BUF)

Osburn showcased himself as a terrific puck-moving defenseman for the Youngstown Phantoms last year. The Wisconsin commit posted eight goals and 23 points in 60 games last year and heard his name called in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.. Osburn could see a boost in production this year as a top-pairing D man.

Louka Cloutier, G, Chicago Steel (COL)

Like Yegorov, Cloutier took over as the starting netminder for the Steel last season, and he played much better than his numbers would suggest: 3.68 goals-against average and 0.904 save percentage in 34 games. Cloutier was picked in the fifth round by the Colorado Avalanche.

With the 132nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft the @Avalanche select @ChicagoSteel goaltender Louka Cloutier!#StarsRise | #2024NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/k9r4bG0rdb

— USHL (@USHL) June 29, 2024

Xavier Veilleux, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks (NYI)

Veilleux was one of the better mobile defensemen in the USHL last season and shined as a pass-first player. The Islanders’ draft pick, selected 179th overall in the sixth round, recorded three goals and 29 assists for 32 points. The Harvard commit appears poised for a big uptick in production this season.

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