DRAFT: "The Americans" - Taking a Look at the NTDP Prospects

Over the last two decades, the NHL has seen a rise in elite American talent and more Americans drafted than ever before. One of the reasons for the increase? The start of the National Team Development Program.
In 1996, USA Hockey started the NTDP to help train the top American players during their final two years of high school. Between tailored training on and off the ice, a focus on teamwork, and a goal to help each player be their best, the Michigan-based program has seen some substantial results. Just shy of 600 players have gone through the NTDP with 328 of them drafted. Five NTDP alumni have gone first overall including Devils forward Jack Hughes in 2019. In additional to the first overall selection, a record breaking 17 players were drafted from the NTDP last year.
Each NTDP class produces players that make an impact for their NHL franchises. The program is succesful for several reasons, one of which is the way the coaches develop the players.
"The coaches there don't try to mold you into a certain type of player. They want to make you a better athlete and allow that athlete to take over on the ice," explained NHL.com's Mike Morreale.

Morreale covers draft prospects through his role with NHL.com and spent time at the program's headquarters last season. Through his time covering NTDP players and alums, Morreale has seen the tough schedule these U17 and U18 teams play, and how that prepares them for professional hockey.
"When you're playing at the NTDP, it's the hardest schedule in minor hockey because you're against Division I colleges, a difficult USHL schedule against kids three to four years older, and then a challenging International schedule leading up to the World Under-18 Championship," said Morreale. "I remember NTDP alumnus Patrick Kane telling me that you're going to school, showing up at the rink, practicing for two hours and then you're going into the gym for an hour and a half, getting back from your day at 6:30 at night. He said it's a long day for a kid that age, but after awhile you really start building your body and learn how to manage your time."
After two years of learning and developing under the NTDP system, this year's U18 class is full of names to watch out for in all seven rounds. Out of the 23 players on the team this past season, 14 are ranked in the top North American skaters prospect list and one of the team's two goaltenders ranks second out of all North American goaltending prospects.
When it comes to how this class stacks up compared to previous classes, Morreale believes even though there isn't a superstar, there is still plenty of talent.
"I believe this year's team doesn't have the star power compared to last year, but I like the caliber and depth of talent this season. This year's NTDP needed to be more gritty, stronger along the walls, to create their chances," Morreale said. "This year's NTDP won with team defense, toughness and scoring the hard way. There are a lot of guys on this year's NTDP who are going to make the NHL by being power forwards and by being defenders who defend really well."
Jake Sanderson, a defenseman from Whitefish, Montana is one of the solid defenders Morreale references. Sanderson finished fourth in the NHL Central Scouting's final list of draft-eligible North American skaters after holding the #11 spot back in the midyear rankings.
"He's physical, he has incredible gap control…Sanderson is a powerful speed skater where he can absolutely close gaps, he gets back quickly," said ESPN's Chris Peters during a recent episode of the Speak of the Devils podcast. "I think his brain is super impressive in terms of intelligence on both ends of the ice…[Sanderson is] a guy who can be on your blue line for years and years and years."
Sanderson was a leader for the NTDP on and off the ice, a trait that will add value to the defenseman. Brent Darnell, an assistant coach for the 2019-20 U18 team, saw the impact of Sanderson's leadership and the accountability the defenseman held himself to in regards to his team.
"He was our captain for two years but he just took ownership of the team," explained Darnell. "[He] became a big leader on the ice and also in the weight room, and in the locker room it was obvious that he was a leader of our team, not only from character traits, his work ethic, but also his on-ice ability too. I think a lot of people saw in that February [International] tournament that he was pretty good and almost dominant at times."
Another anticipated first-round selection, center Ty Smilanic, is someone that Morreale believes could be a good fit for the Devils.
"Smilanic plays a dynamic game on the puck, utilizing his speed and quickness to generate and produce offense. He's 6-foot-1, 175 pounds and gives a consistent effort, and is relentless on pucks. Everything he does is high energy, utilizing his speed, quickness and competitiveness. I'd think he'd make a great fit in the lineup someday."
Darnell also credits Smilanic's speed as a big draw for the NTDP prospect, who finished as 24th on the Central Scouting's North American skaters list.
"Ty's game all revolves around his speed, and obviously that's such a big thing in the NHL these days. Not only is he a world class skater, but he's a world class athlete too. Pure athletic ability which obviously drives his skating," said Darnell. "He's so good on his edges and generating speed with his feet with and without the puck…and it's going to allow him to have success because he's such a good athlete."
Another top player coming from the 2020 NTDP class is goaltender Drew Commesso. Commesso finished second out of all North American goaltenders on the NHL's Central Scouting prospects list.
"Commesso had an outstanding year; he had the second-lowest GAA (2.05) and sixth-highest save percentage (.920) in one season with the NTDP U18 team," said Morreale on the goaltender. "New Jersey may also look to draft [Commesso] in the third round if he's available."
Attention to detail and drive with everything he did, is something that Darnell credits to the NTDP goaltender's success.
"The biggest thing we saw with Drew, is his attention to detail in everything he did. I don't think he was happy with the way his U17 year went, just statistically, which it can be hard on goalies. But I think this year, his preparation, the way he approached when he got to the rink it was all business. The way he approached his off ice warmup, the way he approached his on-ice warmup, his compete level in practice," explained Darnell. "Doing what he needed to do to prepare himself and I think that's allowed him to grow confidence in his game knowing that his preparation has allowed him to have some success, quite a bit of success this year."
Although the majority of players selected from the NTDP will go on day two of the Draft, there is plenty of talent and depth with this year's class.
"Tyler Kleven (#42, NHL Central Scouting rank) and Brock Faber (#44) are also strong-skating defensemen who have good puck smarts and passing ability," said Morreale. "Up front Ty Smilanic (#24), Brett Berard (#45), Thomas Bordeleau (#29) continue to display their playmaking and offensive skills, and bring a high energy game with speed and quickness that generates a lot of offensive chances."
If the Devils draft any NTDP prospects this year, the new additions will join a franchise that has quite a few alumni. Jack Hughes, Kyle Palmieri, Will Butcher, Joey Anderson, John Hayden, Dakota Mermis and Connor Carrick all spent time in Michigan playing for USA. In addition, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald's son Casey played for the NTDP.
Although it is unlikely any NTDP drafted prospect would join the Devils right away like Jack Hughes did this season, Devils fans should keep their eyes peeled for a new NTDP name or two in New Jersey's prospect pool.