The start of the 2024-25 USHL brings excitement as all 16 teams begin the year with a fresh slate and hopes of reaching the Clark Cup Finals. To get there, though, clubs will rely on players to step up in the absence of those who moved on to the next level.

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For players returning to their clubs, a strong rookie season in the USHL last year can often lead to the natural progression in production that comes with added responsibility. For others, landing with new teams and playing in favorable situations can accelerate the player’s development.

With the USHL Fall Classic out of the way, teams will settle into their regular-season schedules. Here is one breakout candidate for each team to watch during the upcoming season.

Cedar Rapid RoughRiders: Landan Resendes

In his first full season, Resendes scored 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists in 59 games. The Boston College commit already has two points in his first two games, including ten shots on goal. Resendes plays with a ton of speed and should see a boost in production, primarily playing in a top-six role.

Chicago Steel: Charlie Pardue

Like a handful of NTDP U18 players, Pardue opted for another year of development after recording just 13 points in 52 games. The 18-year-old recorded a goal and an assist in two games at the USHL Fall Classic. Pardue plays with a terrific motor and will be heavily relied upon with the Steel this season.

Charlie Pardue strips the puck, skates it to the top of the point, and rips a shot into the back of the net @ChicagoSteel #USHL pic.twitter.com/42jZdPYLpd

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) September 20, 2024

Des Moines Buccaneers: Jack Kernan

Kernan had 27 points in 60 games last season with the Buccaneers, and the Maple Grove, Minnesota, native is back for another season. In his first two games, he already has 11 shots on goal and should find success as an all-situations player for Des Moines this year.

Dubuque Fighting Saints: Gavin Cornforth

With over 100 games of USHL experience coming into this season, Cornforth is back for a critical third year of development. The Boston College commit looked like a confident skater at the USHL Fall Classic. He recorded a power play goal, which could be more of the norm this season as Dubuque’s top right-winger.

Fargo Force: Reid Daavettila

Playing in a secondary role for the Clark Cup-champion Fargo Force last year, Daavettila still managed to tally 30 points in 62 games. He already has three goals in his first two games on nine shots this season. The Michigan Tech commit will certainly take on more responsibility, which should come with a boost in production.

GOAL‼️ Reid Daavettila tips one in off a shot from Sam Laurila and we’re all square at 1-1! pic.twitter.com/vr2mhhD7WE

— Fargo Force (@FargoForce) September 21, 2024

Green Bay Gamblers: William Samuelsson (DAL)

As a Phase II pick in this year’s USHL Draft, Samuelsson was one of my favorite players to watch coming into the 2024-25 season. Why? He anticipates plays really well, and his defensive game is much further along for someone his age, making him a strong two-way center.

Lincoln Stars: Daniel Shlaine

Shlaine makes the jump to the USHL after a 74-point campaign with the Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U team a season ago. The 18-year-old found the back of the net in just his second game and could be featured as Lincoln’s top-line center playing alongside Blake Montgomery (OTT).

Madison Capitols: Mason Moe (2025)

While Moe spent the majority of last season with Eden Prairie High, his 12 games of USHL experience were invaluable in terms of getting a feel for the style of play. The 17-year-old stepped into this season and recorded a two-goal effort in his second game. Moe plays with good pace and features a heavy shot, one that could light up the scoresheet often this year.

Mason Moe (2025) gets his second of the game. 🚀@MadCapsHockey #USHL pic.twitter.com/v7xYKjgoJ9

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) September 19, 2024

Muskegon Lumberjacks: Tynan Lawrence (2026)

Lawrence is one of over a dozen tenders looking to establish themselves this season. The 16-year-old skates really well and has quick hands to make plays in tight spaces. Lawrence tallied a two-point night in his USHL debut and already has nine shots on goal. The BU commit certainly looks comfortable already.

Omaha Lancers: David Deputy

Deputy tallied 35 points in 54 games last year and is one of a handful of key returners looking to right the ship in Omaha this season. He already has 11 shots on goal and found the back of the net on a breakaway at the USHL Fall Classic. His experience as a 20-year-old player in this league cannot be overstated.

Sioux City Musketeers: Tate Pritchard

Pritchard broke out in a season last year with the Musketeers, tallying 29 points in 57 games, doing it primarily in a bottom-six role. The Minnesota State commit has been featured as Sioux City’s top-line right winger in the preseason and first two games, and Pritchard already has three points to show for it. I like him to have not only a breakout year but a monster year.

The year of Tate Pritchard is upon us, one of my favorite re-entry candidates for the 2025 NHL Draft. @Musketeerhockey #USHL pic.twitter.com/P5PDXMeueJ

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) September 19, 2024

Sioux Falls Stampede: Austin Baker (DET)

Baker should see a boost in production with Sioux Falls in a top-six forward role this season. The Detroit Red Wings draft pick showed good speed and playmaking to score shorthanded against his former team at the USHL Fall Classic.

Tri-City Storm: AJ Lacroix (2025)

Someone has to take over for Trevor Connelly (VGK) this season, and AJ Lacroix feels like a good candidate to do just that. The Michigan State commit had 30 points in 61 games as a rookie last year and should see a sizeable increase in production in an elevated role.

USA Hockey NTDP: Cole McKinney (2025)

McKinney was elevated to the NTDP U18 team at the end of last season and had 32 points in 55 games overall. The Michigan commit already has two goals on the year on one of the better shots in the 2025 draft class.

Cole McKinney (2025) had it out for that water bottle @USAHockeyNTDP #USHL pic.twitter.com/MOFSlLIol8

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) September 21, 2024

Waterloo Black Hawks: Brendan McMorrow

Like Pardue and Baker, McMorrow should see an increase in production this season in an elevated role with Waterloo. The Denver commit found the back of the net twice in his debut against his former squad. Added, a big year for McMorrow could make him an intriguing re-entry candidate in next year’s draft.

Youngstown Phantoms: Adam Benák (2025)

Youngstown has a number of breakout candidates on a loaded roster, but let’s go with perhaps the most obvious: Adam Benák. The small but speedy center already looks comfortable in the USHL and showed good patience in his debut to record a pair of assists, including the primary helper on the Phantoms’ overtime-winner to kick off the season.

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