19 T1ER Players Selected in the USHL Draft

Exposure and advancement to the next level have been trademarks of the North American Prospects Hockey League since its founding in 2009. The NAPHL operates three leagues under its umbrella, highlighted by the T1ER League — the premier level of competition within the NAPHL and home to many of the top Tier 1 National Bound programs in the country.

The United States Hockey League is one of only three USA Hockey-sanctioned junior leagues in the United States, alongside the North American Hockey League and the North American 3 Hockey League. The North American Prospects Hockey League operates within the NAHL development model and serves as a direct feeder system alongside the NA3HL.

On May 4-5, 2026, the USHL held its Phase I and Phase II Drafts, where 19 current and former NAT1HL players were selected, further highlighting the league’s continued role in advancing players to the highest levels of junior hockey.

 

Phase I

The Phase I Draft or the “Future’s Draft” is a 15-round draft for players that are 2010 birth years. This draft focuses on the players’ development rather than immediate impact and roster additions. Most players selected in this draft will return to their current teams for at least a season before joining the USHL program that selected them. 

In this year’s draft, 9 players who spent time in the T1ER were selected. The highest of those picks was Will Pugliese from the Omaha Mastery AAA 15U team. Pugliese was selected in the seventh round at pick number 92 by the Omaha Lancers. Over the course of the season in the T1ER, the Omaha, Nebraska native recorded 29 points in 13 games. 

 

T1ER players and alumni drafted in the 2026 Phase I Draft

Will Pugliese, F, Omaha Mastery AAA 15U 

Round 7, pick 92 by the Omaha Lancers. 

2025-26 statistics: 29 total points in 13 games (7g, 22a).

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Asher Baron, D, Omaha Mastery AAA 15U

Round 7, pick 105 by the Youngstown Phantoms.

2025-26 statistics: 18 total points in 13 games (4g, 14a).

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Henry Cooley, F, Omaha Mastery AAA 15U & 16U

Round 10, pick 150 by the Youngstown Phantoms.

2025-26 statistics: 23 total points in 17 games (10g, 13a).

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Dean Powell, D, Philadelphia HC 15U AAA

Round 13, pick 190 by the Sioux Falls Stampede.

2025-26 statistics: 13 total points in 12 games (0g, 13a).

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

CJ Mistichelli, F, Philadelphia HC 15U AAA

Round 14, pick 206 by the Madison Capitals.

2025-26 statistics: 17 total points in 12 games (10g, 7a).

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Bryan Schwartz, G, Philadelphia HC 15U AAA

Round 14, pick 206 by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.

2025-26 statistics: 6 games played. 2.15 GAA, .916 SV%, 3-3-0 record.

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Adam Erstad, F, Omaha Mastery AAA 15U

Round 15, pick 219 by the Green Bay Gamblers.

2025-26 statistics: 23 total points in 13 games (11g, 12a).

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Drew Pokorny, D, Seattle Jr. Kraken 14U AAA

Round 15, pick 230 by the Fargo Force.

2024-25 statistics: 5 total points in 12 games (4g, 1a).

Years in T1ER: 2023-24, 2024-25.

 

Erik Yedwab, F, Philadelphia HC 15U AAA

Round 15, pick 232 by the Sioux Falls Stampede.

2025-26 statistics: 20 total points in 11 games (14g, 6a).

Years in T1ER: 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Phase II

The Phase II Draft is a 21-round draft that focuses primarily on junior hockey eligible players from 2009-2006 birth years who are not currently protected by a USHL team. This draft, unlike Phase I, is focused on players who are ready to make the jump to Tier I junior hockey. Therefore, this draft focuses less on player development, and more on the fulfillment of roster spots.

In this year’s draft, 10 players who spent time in the T1ER were selected. The highest of those picks was the first-round pick from the Pittsburgh Stars 16U AAA team, Arseni Savin. During the 2025-26 season, the St. Petersburg, Russia native recorded 19 points in 16 games. Savin also turned heads this season as he stands at a towering 6-foot-5. Savin was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Steel. 

 

T1ER players and alumni drafted in the 2026 Phase II Draft

Arseni Savin, F, Pittsburgh Stars 16U AAA 

Round 1, pick 11 by the Chicago Steel. 

2025-26 statistics: 19 total points in 16 games (13g, 6a).

Years in T1ER: 2025-26.

 

Justus Templeton, F, Carshield AAA 14U

Round 6, pick 87 by the Sioux City Musketeers. 

2023-24 statistics: 3 total points in 8 games (2g, 1a).

Years in T1ER: 2023-24.

 

Strider Carhart, F, New Jersey Jr. Titans 14U AAA

Round 6, pick 88 by the Muskegon Lumberjacks. 

2023-24 statistics: 7 total points in 8 games (2g, 5a).

Years in T1ER: 2023-24.

 

Kalib Capecci, D, Philadelphia HC 18U AAA

Round 9, pick 91 by the Des Moines Buccaneers. 

2024-25 statistics: 8 total points in 8 games (6g, 2a).

Years in T1ER: 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25.

 

Caden Ingalls, D, Omaha Mastery AAA 16U

Round 6, pick 104 by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. 

2025-26 statistics: 26 total points in 17 games (6g, 20a).

Years in T1ER: 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26.

 

Samuel Kline, F, Lincoln Stars 18U AAA

Round 10 pick 153 by the Lincoln Stars. 

2024-25 statistics: 18 total points in 12 games (8g, 10a).

Years in T1ER: 2023-24, 2024-25.

 

Brennan Huyck, F, Biggby Coffee AAA Hockey 14U

Round 11 pick 167 by the Omaha Lancers. 

2022-23 statistics: 3 total points in 9 games (2g, 1a).

Years in T1ER: 2022-23.

 

Cameron Merrick, D, Biggby Coffee AAA Hockey 16U

Round 11 pick 169 by the Chicago Steel. 

2023-24 statistics: 5 total points in 12 games (1g, 4a).

Years in T1ER: 2023-24.

 

Nikita Oleksiienko, G, Pittsburgh Stars 16U AAA

Round 12 pick 194 by the Youngstown Phantoms. 

2024-25 statistics: 13 games played. 1.69 GAA, .938 SV%, 10-3-0 record.

Years in T1ER: 2024-25.

 

Henry Skale, G, Carshield AAA 14U

Round 13 pick 201 by the Sioux City Musketeers. 

2023-24 statistics: 13 games played. 10.53 GAA, .672 SV%, 0-2-0 record.

Years in T1ER: 2023-24.

 

The USA Hockey Ladder of Development 

Playing in the NAPHL — and especially the T1ER League — provides players with unmatched exposure through events held in hockey-rich markets across the country. Players also gain access to advanced scouting and video technology viewed directly by NCAA, USHL, NAHL, and NA3HL coaches and scouts, creating a proven pathway for development and advancement to the next level.