Hockey Hosts U.S. NTDP U-18 Team in Exhibition Matchup

Canisius vs. U.S. NTDP U-18 Team
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Times: 3:05 p.m.
Location: Buffalo, N.Y./KeyBank Rink at LECOM Harborcenter
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
TV/Webcast: FloHockey.tv

The Canisius hockey team hosts the United States National Team Development Program U-18 squad in an exhibition contest Sunday at KeyBank Rink at LECOM Harborcenter in downtown Buffalo.

Opening face-off between the Golden Griffins and Team USA is set for 3:05 p.m.

Scouting Canisius
• Canisius takes a break from its 2019-20 regular season schedule on Sunday after opening the campaign with road contests at nationally-ranked North Dakota (Oct. 11-12) and RPI (Oct. 19).
• Junior Austin Alger leads the team in scoring with two goals, while fellow junior Matt Long has the other Canisius tally this season.
• Four players have registered one assist this season with three of them – juniors Logan Gestro and Blake Wareham and freshman David Melaragni – being defensemen.
• In goal, sophomore Matt Ladd and freshman Jacob Barczewski have split time between the pipes thus far. The duo has combined to make 94 saves through the first three games.

Scouting Team USA
• The U.S. NTDP U-18 Team opens its weekend road swing through Central and Western New York Saturday at Cornell before heading to Buffalo Sunday to face the Griffs.
• Thomas Bardeleau (Michigan commit) has paced the squad in scoring this season, racking up eight goals and four assists in 11 games played while Luke Tuch (Boston University commit) is second with 10 points (5g, 5a).
• Drew Commesso (Boston University commit) and Noah Grannan (Wisconsin commit) have split time between the pipes for Team USA this season. Grannan leads the team with a 2.65 goals against average while Commesso has posted a team-best .902 save percentage.
• Team USA had 18 skaters listed on the NHL's Central Scouting preliminary watch list for the 2020 NHL Draft, including two who were graded as potential first-round draft picks: defenseman Jake Sanderson (North Dakota commit) and forward Ty Smilanic (not committed).

About The NTDP
• The pinnacle of amateur player development in the U.S., the NTDP scouts and selects the top 23 players in two age groups (Under-17 and Under-18) to train and develop in a highly competitive two-year program.
• The teams (Under-17 and Under-18) face a rigorous domestic schedule, including competition against older, more developed players.
• The U17s play a majority of a 60-game junior schedule in the USHL, while the U18s face USHL, NCAA Division I and III opponents.
• Both squads also compete in several international events each season. Additionally, the players face a daily routine of off-ice development that includes strength training, cross-training, cognitive skill testing and academics.

Canisius-Team USA Series Notes
• Sunday's exhibition serves as the fifth meeting between Canisius and the U.S. NTDP U-18 Team.
• Team USA holds a 3-0-1 edge in the all-time series, which dates back to the 2004-05 season.
• The teams last met during the 2006-07 campaign, playing to a 2-2 draw at Buffalo State.

Up Next
• Canisius begins a stretch of nine of its next 10 games at home when it hosts non-conference foe Union in a two-game series at KeyBank Rink at LECOM Harborcenter Nov. 1-2.
• Game one of the series is slated for a 7:35 p.m. puck drop while finale is set for a 4:05 p.m. start.
• Tickets to both games are still available. To purchase, visit ticketmaster.com or call the Canisius Ticket Office at 716-888-TIXX.

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Players Mentioned

#83 Austin Alger: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#4 Logan Gestro: D; 6' 3"; Junior

#33 Matt Ladd: G; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#25 Matt Long: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#52 Blake Wareham: D; 6' 0"; Junior

#30 Jacob Barczewski: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#5 David Melaragni: D; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#83 Austin Alger
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#4 Logan Gestro
: 6' 3"; Junior
: D

#33 Matt Ladd
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: G

#25 Matt Long
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#52 Blake Wareham
: 6' 0"; Junior
: D

#30 Jacob Barczewski
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

#5 David Melaragni
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: D