It’s that time of the year again. The 2024-25 USHL season is about to officially get underway at the 2024 DICK’s Sporting Good USHL Fall Classic at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa.

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Now in its ninth installment, the annual showcase has often served as the first opportunity for more than 400 scouts from the National Hockey League, college, and junior teams to be in attendance to take in the five-day event.

Each of the 16 USHL teams is scheduled to play two regular season games, beginning with the Tri-City Storm and Youngstown Phantoms on Wednesday, September 18, in what figures to be one of the most exciting games. Each game at the Fall Classic will stream live on FloHockey. So let's get you ready for what to watch at this years event.

Key Matchups At The 2024 USHL Fall Classic

Tri-City Storm vs. Youngstown Phantoms, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. ET

This matchup will feature two of the top tender agreement signings in the USHL: Ilya Morozov (2026) for Tri-City and Jack Hextall (2026) for Youngstown. 

Morozov is big for his age, already listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, and he skates like the wind. The 16-year-old put up some eye-popping numbers with the Windy City Storm 15U last year: 74 points on 33 goals and 41 assists. 

Hextall was one of the best players in the faceoff dot for Team USA at the 2024 Five Nations U-17 Tournament. The Michigan State commit skated for the Chicago Mission 15U team in 2023-24, where he posted 29 goals and 88 points.

Omaha Lancers vs. Madison Capitols, Sept. 19, noon ET

The new-look Lancers hope to make it back to the playoffs under new head coach Lennie Childs. Omaha will skate a strong group of returning players, and the goaltending duo of Mikhail Yegorov (NJD) and Kam Hendrickson should be one of the best in the USHL.

Meanwhile, the Madison Capitols made a pair of draft-day trades to bolster their goaltending room, acquiring Caleb Heil and Ajay White. Regarding skill players, the Caps will be a young team, but there are a ton of hungry players eager to prove themselves.

Chicago Steel vs. Des Moines Buccaneers, Sept. 20, 3 p.m. ET

The Steel will once again be one of the youngest teams in the league, but they will skate a pair of high-profile tender signings in Adam Valentini (2026) and Callum Croskery (2026). Added, Chicago’s goaltending tandem of Louka Cloutier (COL) and Jack Parsons should be one of the better groups.

Meanwhile, the Bucs are looking to return to the playoffs after narrowly missing the sixth, and final, spot in the West last year. Des Moines will break in two new goaltenders this season, but they return Ben Kevan (2025), who could end up being a Day 1 selection in next year’s draft.

Fargo Force vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks, Sept. 21, 2 p.m. ET

After winning back-to-back Anderson Cup titles as regular-season champions, with the most recent being paired with the Clark Cup, the Fargo Force saw significant turnover this offseason. However, players in secondary roles last year will likely be asked to take on more responsibility this season.

On the other side, Muskegon will look to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Jacks will skate a pair of talented tender signings, including Tynan Lawrence, who has looked impressive in preseason. Muskegon should have a solid group of veterans to lead the way.

U.S. NTDP U18 Team vs. Waterloo Black Hawks, Sept. 22, 2 p.m.

No James Hagens (2025) for Team USA this season, but the U18s have no shortage of top talent, including Cole McKinney (2025), Conrad Fondrk (2025), and Will Moore (2025) leading the way.

The Waterloo Black Hawks have quietly pieced together an impressive roster chock-full of talented players. Matt Smaby’s squad might take a little bit of time to gel, but there is so much potential in Waterloo.

NHL Prospects To Watch At The USHL Fall Classic

Luke Osburn, LD, Youngstown Phantoms (BUF)

Osburn played really well in his first year with the Phantoms, recording eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points. He’s a mobile defenseman who likes to jump into the rush, something we should see more of this season, as Osburn likely gets elevated into a top D-pairing role for Youngstown.

Will Zellers, C, Green Bay Gamblers (COL)

Zellers was part of that Shattuck team, leading the squad with a whopping 111 points on 57 goals and 54 assists. In addition to his performance at Shattuck, the North Dakota commit had a good showing at the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, potting five goals and seven points. Zellers will now look to make his mark in the USHL.

Blake Montgomery, LW, Lincoln Stars (OTT)

Montgomery was one of the biggest draft risers after a great season with Lincoln, where he used his speed to drive plays and create a ton of offense. The Wisconsin commit finished with 22 goals and 43 points and heard his name called in the fourth round by the Ottawa Senators. Montgomery could be one of the top point producers in his second year with the Stars.

Congratulations to Stars forward Blake Montgomery on being selected in the 4th round by the @Senators with the 117th pick in the @NHL Draft! 🚂⭐️ pic.twitter.com/GNI3fZRfqd

— Lincoln Stars (@LincolnStars) June 29, 2024

Bauer Berry, LD, Muskegon Lumberjacks (EDM)

Berry was another draft riser after a solid first season with the Jacks. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, the St. Thomas commit is a physical defender, and his offense is also coming along. Berry finished with 14 points on one goal and 13 assists in 2023-24, and he will look to take the next step in his development this season.

William Samuelsson, C, Green Bay Gamblers (DAL)

Samuelsson makes the jump to North America after being selected in the USHL Phase II Draft. The 18-year-old skated above his age group last season with the Södertälje SK J20 team, scoring 44 points on 18 goals and 26 assists. Samuelsson is a strong two-way forward, and I really like his attention to his defensive details at this stage of his development.

Gamblers select William Samuelsson in the 4th round of the USHL Phase II Draft. Samuelsson notched 18 goals and 26 assists last season with Sodertalje SK Jr. #GoGamblers pic.twitter.com/HKyZaXo9dw

— Green Bay Gamblers (@GamblersHockey) May 7, 2024

How To Watch The 2024 USHL Fall Classic

Every game from the 2024 DICK'S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic will be streamed live on FloHockey. SIGN UP HERE. Select games will stream free on FloHockey's YouTube and Facebook pages, with that schedule set to be announced soon.

2024 USHL Fall Classic Schedule

All Times Eastern, Designated Home Teams Listed Second

Wednesday, Sept. 18

Tri-City Storm vs. Youngstown Phantoms, 6:00 p.m.

Sioux City Musketeers vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 19

Omaha Lancers vs. Madison Capitols, 12:00 p.m.

Des Moines Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Gamblers, 2:00 p.m.

Youngstown Phantoms vs. Sioux City Musketeers, 3:00 p.m.

Dubuque Fighting Saints vs. Tri-City Storm, 5:00 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 20

Green Bay Gamblers vs. Fargo Force, 12:00 p.m.

Madison Capitols vs. Lincoln Stars, 2:00 p.m.

Chicago Steel vs. Des Moines Buccaneers, 3:00 p.m.

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Omaha Lancers, 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21

Waterloo Black Hawks vs. Chicago Steel, 12:00 p.m.

Fargo Force vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks, 2:00 p.m.

Lincoln Stars vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 3:00 p.m.

Sioux Falls Stampede vs. USA Hockey NTDP, 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 22

Muskegon Lumberjacks vs. Sioux Falls Stampede, 1:00 p.m.

USA Hockey NTDP vs. Waterloo Black Hawks, 2:00 p.m.

What Is The USHL Fall Classic?

The DICK's Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic is the league's annual kickoff to the season, featuring all 16 teams playing two regular-season games under one roof. For the last several years, the event has been held at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Twp., Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh.

The event is attended by hundreds of scouts from the NHL, NCAA and other junior leagues. 

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