Among a multitude of other 2027 NHL Draft prospects, Ethan Sung (forward, Sioux Falls Stampede), Nolan Fitzhenry (forward, United States National Team Development Program [USNTDP]), & USNTDP d-man Diego Gutierrez took to the ice today in the inaugural regular-season game for their respective clubs. Sung also competed for Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton last month, where he recorded 6 points (4G 2A) for the silver medalists. The diminutive but highly-skilled Sung (5’8″ 181 pounds), who registered two points (1G 1A) during his brief junior hockey debut a season ago, did not register a point in this contest, a trend which no doubt will not continue. However, due in no small part to Sung’s defensive effort, his Sioux Falls team skated away with a 3-2 victory over the Madison Capitols. Speaking of Madison, it also features a “young gun” in d-man Colin Yandle (2028 draft-eligible), the nephew of long-time NHL d-man Keith Yandle (now retired). Despite his youth, Yandle already logs heavy penalty-killing minutes in addition to his regular 5-on-5 duties.
True to his point-producing prowess, projected first-round pick Fitzhenry recorded the first goal of the NTDP’s season in a 6-3 loss to Tri-City. Fellow projected first-rounder Gutierrez recorded the lone assist on Fitzhenry’s tally.
Many other 2027 draft-eligible players will garner much attention this USHL season, especially from the USNTDP, so stay tuned.
