The United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program: under-17 and under-18. Both teams are based in Plymouth, Michigan.

History

The stated goal of the NTDP is "to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on the U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice". While enrolled in the NTDP, players stay with billet families. From its founding until 2014–15, the program was based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, playing games at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. However, following that season, the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL relocated, freeing up the what was then known as the Compuware Arena. USA Hockey purchased the facility from Peter Karmanos, renamed it the USA Hockey Arena and moved the NTDP to Plymouth. The under-17 and under-18 teams play games domestically against opponents in the United States Hockey League (under-17 and under-18 teams) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (under-18 team), as well as three international tournaments for each team plus occasional friendlies. The NTDP teams previously competed in the North American Hockey League until 2009.

Competitive record

IIHF U18 World Championship

The United States has won 11 gold medals in IIHF World U18 Championship they have participated in since 1999.

Hlinka Gretzky Cup

USA Hockey does not send players in the program to this event anymore. The U.S. has been represented by non-NTDP players at this tournament.

Record book

Single season Career

Notable alumni

As of the 2018–19 season, more than 310 NTDP alumni were drafted in the National Hockey League. This includes Rick DiPietro, Erik Johnson, Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews, and Jack Hughes, all of whom were drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft. At the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, NTDP alumni Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk were selected 1st and 2nd overall respectively, being the first American-born players selected with the top two picks. A record 17 players were selected directly from the NTDP in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.