CENTRAL SCOUTING MIDTERM RANKINGS: Twenty players currently on the U.S. National Under-18 Team roster and two former NTDP players were named to the National Hockey League Central Scouting Bureau's Midterm Rankings for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Players listed as possible first-round selections include forwards Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) at No. 1, Alex Turcotte (Island Lake, Ill.) at No. 5, Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) at No. 6, Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.) at No. 7, defenseman Cam York (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) at No. 12, forward Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) at No. 15 and defenseman Alex Vlasic (Wilmette, Ill.) at No. 25.

In addition, goaltender Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.) is rated as the top-ranked North American prospect among eligible goaltenders, and Cameron Rowe (Wilmette, Ill.) is rated fourth.

Skaters ranked in the second round include defensemen Henry Thrun (Southborough, Mass.) at No. 32, Drew Helleson (Farmington, Minn.) at No. 33, Marshall Warren (Laurel Hollow, N.Y.) at No. 39 and Case McCarthy (Clarence Center, N.Y.) at No. 41. Also rated as second-round selections are forwards Judd Caulfield (Grand Forks, N.D.) at No. 50 and John Beecher (Elmira, N.Y.) at No. 53.

Third-round selections include Owen Lindmark (Naperville, Ill.) at No. 65 and defenseman Domenick Fensore (Thornwood, N.Y.) at No. 89.

Forwards Patrick Moynihan (Millis, Mass.) and Michael Gildon (Plano, Texas) are rated at 102 and 118, respectively, as fourth-round projections. Danny Weight (Lattingtown, N.Y.) is rated in the sixth round, 166th overall.

Among NTDP alumni, Trevor Janicke (Central Illinois Flying Aces / NTDP 2016-18) is rated in the fourth round, 100th overall, and Adam Samuelsson (Sioux City Musketeers / NTDP 2016-18) is rated in the sixth round, 168th overall.

ALL-STARS SHINE BRIGHT: Eight NTDP alumni earned selections to the NHL All-Star Game, which took place Saturday in San Jose, California.

Jack Eichel (2012-14 / Buffalo Sabres), Auston Matthews (2013-15 / Toronto Maple Leafs), Patrick Kane (2004-06 / Chicago Blackhawks), Clayton Keller (2014-16 / Arizona Coyotes), Jimmy Howard (2001-02 / Detroit Red Wings), Seth Jones (2010-12 / Columbus Blue Jackets) and John Gibson (2009-11 / Anaheim Ducks) earned initial selections, while Kyle Palmieri (2007-09 / New Jersey Devils) was tabbed as a replacement.

MILESTONE WATCH: A number of former NTDP standouts are set to reach NHL milestones in the near future. Notables include:

Patrick Kane (2004-06) — One point shy of 900 career points

Phil Kessel (2003-05) — Six points shy of 800 career points

Brandon Saad (2009-10) — One game shy of 500 career games

Jimmy Howard (2001-02) — Five games shy of 500 career games

Auston Matthews (2013-15) — Five goals shy of 100 career goals

FIRST NHL GAME: NTDP alum Trent Frederic (2014-16) earned the call up to the Boston Bruins on Monday afternoon and is set to skate in his first career NHL game Tuesday night as the Bruins host to the Winnipeg Jets.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Former NTDP forward and current Vegas Golden Knight Alex Tuch (2012-14) spent his All-Star Weekend behind the bench as an assistant coach with the U17s. Tuch earned the opportunity to coach his brother, Under-17 forward Luke Tuch (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), as Team USA faced off against the Central Illinois Flying Aces on Saturday.

REWRITING HISTORYJack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) sits in a tie with Patrick Kane for the No. 3 spot on the all-time NTDP points list with 172 career points. Hughes is 18 points away from overtaking current Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller's (2014-16) record of 189 career points.

Hughes broke the U17s' scoring record of 82 points during his first year with the NTDP and fell one point shy of current Toronto Maples Leafs forward Auston Matthews' (2013-15) record for single-season points (117).

Hughes also ranks No. 2 in career assists with the NTDP with 119 total helpers. The Orlando, Florida, product trails only Jeremy Bracco's (2013-15) mark of 122 career assists for the NTDP's all-time record.

PLAYER FEATURE: Trevor Zegras (Bedford, N.Y.) continues to enjoy making memories throughout his Under-18 season with the NTDP. The Boston University commit got the chance to face his collegiate teammates in October when the U18s traveled to Agganis Arena. Read the full story at USAHockeyNTDP.com.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS & EVENTS

Friday, Feb. 1 — vs. Chicago Steel — Team USA Trading Card Series No. 5 | $5 Friday

Friday, Feb. 15 — vs. Sioux Falls Stampede — Wizard Night | $5 Friday

Friday, Feb. 22 — vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks — Hockey Across America Night | $5 Friday