The USHL has quickly become one of the best junior hockey leagues in the world, producing more and more drafted prospects with each passing year, to the point where it has now surpassed the QMJHL in terms of player graduation. This year is no different, as a number of USHL players have been ranked in our top 100 prospects series.
Casey Mittelstadt is by far the best of the bunch, and has been on the radar as a potential top-ten pick since the start of the season. There are some concerns about Mittelstadt stunting his development by returning to Eden Prairie High to chase a championship instead of remaining in the far more competitive USHL, and there are some red flags concerning his ability to produce at even-strength, but Mittelstadt is still one of the most intriguing and dynamic players in this draft, which is why we have him at #7 on our consensus ranking.