Yesterday was the start of the 2026 USHL Fall Classic in Chicago, at the Blackhawks Ice Center (Chicago’s state-of-the-art practice facility next to The United Center). This is an annual event held to kick off the league’s regular season, and features each USHL club playing two regular-season games over the course of five days. It has moved to Chicago this season after being held at the Pens’ practice facility in Pittsburgh for the prior ten seasons.
The highlight of Wednesday’s three contests was the performance of 16-year-old forward Dominik Bednar in Sioux City’s 8-3 victory over Green Bay, his first game as a Musketeer. Bednar tallied a natural hat trick in the first two periods to lead Sioux City in scoring, building upon the nearly 300 points he amassed at New Hampshire hockey factory Seacoast Performance Academy during the prior two seasons.
Bednar is a 2010-born player and, therefore, not draft-eligible until 2028, but already is on everyone’s radar. He is listed on Team Slovakia’s roster for the 2026 U17 Hockey Challenge, this year held November 1-7 in Oakville, Ontario. Also, it would be no surprise to see him at this year’s World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/972042/dominik-bednar
