Set to kickstart from July 23-27, 36 players will grace the St. Paul, Minn., TRIA Rink, as they’ve been invited to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp.

“USA Hockey announced that 24 players with United States Hockey League (USHL) ties have been invited to the 36-man camp that will help decide the 23-man U.S. Under-18 Select Team,” announced the official USHL page in a recent article published on July 13, 2026.

What makes this camp crucial is that the 23-man team will compete in the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, set for August 3-8. Among the 36 total players, there are 20 forwards, 12 defensemen and four goaltenders.

As per the same USHL segment, there are also prospects of the USHL’s affiliated teams and players who have attended the USA Hockey Boys National 17 Festival from July 7-13, 2026.

Historically dominated by Canada with over 20 titles under its name, Team USA will be the defending champions this year, and see if they can clinch their third title of this event.

Moreover, given USHL's elite development, a third victory shouldn't be too hard.

Why USHL Players Are Key to Team USA's Hlinka Gretzky Cup Bid

San Jose Sharks Center Macklin Celebrini is one of 315+ NHL Draft picks the USHL has developed. He played for the Chicago Steel during the 2022–23 season, achieving historical milestones.

“The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league,” according to the same segment. “This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience.”

 Players like Green Bay Gamblers Forward Gunnar Conboy, NTDP Forward Joey Cullen, and Sioux Falls Stampede Forward Isaac Davis will be heading to the camp.

But what do you think awaits them? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy