ANN ARBOR, Mich. - USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, which enters its 18th season on ice in 2014-15, today announced the roster and schedule for its U.S. National Under-17 Team. The squad, comprised of some of the top American-born players in the 1998 birth year, will compete as a member of the United States Hockey League and also against teams from the Minnesota Elite League and North American Hockey League, in addition to participating in three international competitions during the course of the season.

The 22-player roster features eight defensemen, including Michael Campoli (Pointe-Claire, Quebec), Adam Fox (Jericho, N.Y.), James Greenway (Potsdam, N.Y.), Matthew Hellickson (St. Louis Park, Minn.), Chad Krys (Ridgefield, Conn.), Ryan Lindgren (Minneapolis, Minn.), Griffin Luce (Williamsville, N.Y.) and Luke Martin (St. Louis, Mo.).

The 12 forwards include Joey Anderson (Roseville, Minn.), Trent Frederic (St. Louis, Mo.), Keeghan Howdeshell (Brighton, Mich.), Max Jones (Rochester, Mich.), Clayton Keller (Swansea, Ill.), Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek, Calif.), William Lockwood (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Graham McPhee (Bethesda, Md.), Nick Pastujov (Bradenville, Fla.), James Sanchez (Northbrook, Ill.), Keenan Suthers (Macomb, Mich.) and Zach Walker (Boise, Idaho).

Backstopping Team USA will be Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn.) and Joseph Woll (Dardenne Prairie, Mo.).

Danton Cole (Pontiac, Mich.) is in his fifth season at the NTDP and will serve as head coach for the U.S. National Under-17 Team in 2014-15. John Gruden (Virginia, Minn.) will enter his fourth season as an assistant to Cole, while Tyler Walsh (East Lansing, Mich.) will serve as intern assistant coach for the first time this season.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team kicks off the 2014-15 campaign on the road Sept. 6 in a preseason contest with the NAHL's Michigan Warriors. Team USA will begin its 35-game USHL regular-season schedule Sept. 26, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The U.S. will compete internationally at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario, from Oct. 31 - Nov. 8; the 2014 Four Nations Tournament Dec. 16-20 in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and the 2015 Five Nations Tournament Feb. 4-8 in Russia.

Tickets for home games played at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube are $7 for adults and $5 for children, seniors and active military members. Youth hockey players wearing their team jerseys are admitted for just $1 and group rates are available. Season ticket packages are also available. Tickets can be purchased by calling the NTDP at (734) 327-9251.

• The 22 players on the U.S. roster represent 10 different states. Michigan and Minnesota lead the way with four natives on the roster, while New York and Missouri boast three each.
• A total of 14 members of Team USA have verbally committed to NCAA Division I schools.
• Keenan Suthers is competing with the U.S. Under-17 Select Team at the 2014 Five Nations Tournament in Crimmitschau, Germany that runs from Aug. 13-17.
• The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams utilize The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.