Little Caesars leads with three ‘07s to make the 22-man roster
On Tuesday, USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (USNTDP) announced 22 2007-born players selected to the U.S. National Under-17 team for the 2023-24 season. Selections were made from a group of 45 players who took part in an evaluation camp two weeks ago held at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.
16U Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Dallas Stars Elite produced multiple selections from their respective teams. 15O Chicago Mission did as well, however, none filled more roster spots than Little Caesars. One forward (William Horcoff), one defenseman (Charlie Tretheway) and one goalie (Joey Slavick) from the No. 1 team in the country will represent the U17 team next season. In total, The group represents 13 different U.S. states as well as 16 different youth hockey teams and programs.
2023-24 USNTDP ROSTER
| Will Belle | Conrad Fondrk | Richard Gallant |
| Landon Hafele | William Horcoff | Jacob Kvasnicka |
| Cole McKinney | John Mooney | William Moore |
| Jack Murtagh | Andrew O’Neill | Cullen Potter |
| Carter Amico | Asher Barnett |
| Donato Bracco | Lincoln Kuehne |
| Garrett Lindberg | Maceo Phillips |
| Drew Schock IV | Charlie Tretheway |
| Harrison Boettiger Joey Slavick |
Forwards
William Belle – Shattuck-St. Mary’s 16U
There are not many players in youth hockey that have a more incredible hockey journey than William Belle. His impressive stature of 6-foot-2, 205 lbs. allows him to be a net-front menace. Powerful legs aid his stride, which gives him an almost unparalleled ability to separate himself from opponents in rushes up the ice. As a result, he has been able to notch 23 goals and 48 points this season. Belle was the first 2007-born player to make a Division-I college commitment when he verbally pledged to join the University of Notre Dame in October of 2022. He can begin playing for them in the 2025-26 season.
Conrad Fondrk – Mount St. Charles 15O
In 50 games this season, Fondrk tallied 96 points. Perhaps more impressively was that in doing so, he was only penalized once. A good sign that when he hits the ice, he spends most of his time in the offensive zone.
Richard Gallant – St. Mark’s School
Gallant just finished his second season at St. Mark’s School, putting up 12 goals and 30 points in 17 games. A slight decrease from last year’s 43-point total, but he also split duties by also lacing up the skates for Islanders Hockey Club 18U Prep team.
Landon Hafele – Dallas Stars Elite 16U
Has collected 50 points in 51 games, and generally when he is on the ice, good things happen. Collectively, he has amassed a plus-39 rating on the season. Forms a potent twosome with Cullen Potter.
William Horcoff – Little Caesars 15O
Horcoff really began to make a name for himself last season skating with the Caesars 14U club, racking up 115 points in 62 games. A consistent source of offense, Horcoff’s dynamic play-making ability has helped Caesars retain a spot as one of the top U.S. teams of the ‘08 birth year.
Jacob Kvasnicka – Wayzata High School
Totalled 45 points in 28 games this season, serving largely in a playmaker role. Given his small frame, he uses speed and agility to his benefit, as often defenders have difficulty keeping up with him.
Cole McKinney – Chicago Mission 15O
McKinney is in the midst of his third year with the Mission program. He has put up solid numbers in the biggest games, including two goals and seven points as a member of Chicago’s 14U team at USA Nationals last season.
John Mooney – Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U
What Mooney may lack for in size, he makes up for in speed. Mesmerizing with the puck, he uses quick feet and phenomenal edge work to dart around the offensive zone. A quick release has helped him become one of the main sources of offensive output for Pens Elite for the past several seasons.
William Moore – Toronto Marlboros – U16
The lone representative this year from a Canadian club, Moore is no stranger to big moments. An OHL Cup veteran, in last year’s tournament as a member of the Marlboros U16 team, he managed to post 11 points in seven games, including being a plus-9. He will once again play in the 2023 OHL Cup with GTHL champion and top-ranked Canadian club, Toronto Marlboros. While he was born in Mississauga, Ontario, CAN, he maintains dual citizenship in the U.S. as well.
Jack Murtagh – Bishop Kearney Selects 15O
Has incredible vision to see plays unfold and find open ice once he dishes the puck off to a teammate. His ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone is an integral part of Bishop Kearney’s offensive strategy.
Andrew O’Neill – Windy City Storm 15O
Dependable two-way play is the focus of O’Niell’s game. The 6-foot-1 center from Fargo, North Dakota, has lightning quick reflexes that give him the ability to find teammates in transition with ease.
Cullen Potter – Dallas Stars Elite 16U
A player that has been on the WHH radar all season long, he has been one of the more impressive forwards among fellow Stars Elite skaters. Often able to control the pace of play, he has an uncanny ability to dip and weave through defenders. He plays bigger than he is, unfazed by hits while continuing to drive play. Shiftiness with the puck is a strength. If defenders are not careful, they will be left behind after Potter finesses his way around them. He is strong on defense as well when necessary, making him a dual threat at both ends of the ice.
Defensemen
Carter Amico – Mount St. Carles 15O
Amico has loomed over the defensive zone this season for Mount St. Charles. Standing at 6-foot-4, he uses his long reach to knock pucks away from opposing players with ease. He is also quick on his feet and can even join the rush if necessary.
Asher Barnett – Chicago Mission 15O
Barnett brings size to the blue line, coming in at 6-foot, 181 lbs. But don’t let those numbers fool you, he can find the scoresheet as well. He managed to post five goals and 11 points in 15 High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) matchups.
Donato Bracco – Long Island Gulls 16U
One of the most dependable defenseman of his birth year, Bracco has an impeccable ability to break up plays with incredible stick work and positioning. The Gulls have enjoyed one of the top spots in the U.S. rankings all season, largely thanks to Bracco shutting down the top offenses he faced on a nightly basis.
Lincoln Kuehne – Northstar Christian Academy 16U
Kuehne is a dangerous weapon on the back end for his club, adding 25 points in 44 games as a defender.
Garrett Lindberg – Moorhead High School
Lindberg doesn’t shy away from the physical aspect of his position. Often laying the body on attacking forwards, he knows his first job is to take away time and space of opponents. He can chip in offensively when needed, with a decent shot that often finds its way through traffic from the blue line. He put up four goals and 19 points in 30 games for Moorhead High.
Maceo Phillips – Benilde St. Margaret’s High School
Armed with a big body and dependable when it comes to contributing to offense, there aren’t that many weaknesses in Phillips’ game. He’s already coming in at 6-foot-5, 194 lbs., bringing a physical edge and 22 points in 27 games.
Drew Schock IV – Notre Dame Academy
A dependable option for offense, Schock uses great mobility to patrol the defensive zone and chip pucks out with ease. Almost serving as a third forward, he scored 11 goals and 44 points this season.
Charlie Trethewey – Little Caesars 15O
One of the bigger aspects of Trethewey’s game is his elusiveness when handling the puck either in his own zone or at the offensive blue line. His ability to side step attacking forwards gives his team a great option to reset play.
Goaltenders
Harrison Boettiger – Shattuck-St. Mary’s 16U
Boettiger has been one of the premier netminders in the country. Backstopping SSM to 22 wins, he recorded a 1.79 goals-against average and .927 save percentage with three shutouts. He’s also set to compete in his second consecutive USA Hockey National championship this month with Shattuck.
Joey Slavick – Little Caesars 15O
Standing at 5-foot-9 and 161 lbs., Slavick is slightly smaller than the prototypical goaltender that the NTDP has targeted in the past. All three goalies from the current U17 team are north of 6-foot, as is Boettiger. Despite Slavick’s smaller stature, he uses a quick glove and versatile agility to stop the puck. Slavick has competed in just about every major youth hockey tournament there is, playing in the Brick Invitational, PeeWee Quebec and World Selects Invitational. He’s also been the go-to guy for Caears and HoneyBaked in the last three season, both ranked in the top 10 in the country with Slavick in net.
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