Junior Hockey Directory
United States Hockey League
The USHL is described by USA Hockey as the only Tier I junior hockey league in the United States. It operates with Eastern and Western Conferences and includes the USA Hockey National Team Development Program U-18 team in league play.
League Overview
- Abbreviation
- USHL
- Country
- United States
- Official classification
- Tier I
- Governing body
- USA Hockey
- Geographic footprint
- Midwest and Northeast United States
- Teams listed
- 16
- Season verified
- 2026-27
- Information last checked
- 2026-09-19
Current Teams
Member teams listed on the league's own team page for the 2026-27 season, in alphabetical order.
- Cedar Rapids RoughRidersCedar Rapids, IA, United States · Eastern Conference
- Chicago SteelChicago, IL, United States · Eastern Conference
- Des Moines BuccaneersWest Des Moines, IA, United States · Western Conference
- Dubuque Fighting SaintsDubuque, IA, United States · Eastern Conference
- Fargo ForceFargo, ND, United States · Western Conference
- Green Bay GamblersGreen Bay, WI, United States · Eastern Conference
- Lincoln StarsLincoln, NE, United States · Western Conference
- Madison CapitolsMiddleton, WI, United States · Eastern Conference
- Muskegon LumberjacksMuskegon, MI, United States · Eastern Conference
- Omaha LancersRalston, NE, United States · Western Conference
- Sioux City MusketeersSioux City, IA, United States · Western Conference
- Sioux Falls StampedeSioux Falls, SD, United States · Western Conference
- Tri-City StormKearney, NE, United States · Western Conference
- USA Hockey NTDPPlymouth, MI, United States · Eastern Conference
- Waterloo Black HawksWaterloo, IA, United States · Western Conference
- Youngstown PhantomsYoungstown, OH, United States · Eastern Conference
Official League Resources
Understanding This Level
Classification describes how a league is certified or organised by its governing body. It is not a quality score, and it does not tell your family whether a league is the right fit for your player. Structures, rosters and rules change between seasons.
Eligibility rules can change. Families should confirm current eligibility requirements directly with the NCAA and the applicable league or governing body.
Beyond The Puck lists factual directory information only. Nothing here ranks or rates leagues, and no development, exposure or recruiting outcome is implied. League membership changes — confirm current details with the league directly.
Beyond The Puck Resources
Guides families use while researching the junior pathway.
Decision Guide
Junior Hockey Options Explained
Read the guideDecision Guide
Is My Player Ready for Junior Hockey?
Read the guideDecision Guide
Billet Families — The Complete Parent Guide
Read the guideDecision Guide
NCAA Hockey Recruiting Timeline
Read the guideDecision Guide
When to Contact College Coaches
Read the guideDecision Guide
Scholarships and Financial Aid for College Hockey
Read the guideDecision Guide
The Real Cost of Elite Hockey
Read the guideDecision Guide
NCAA Division I Women's Hockey Recruiting
Read the guideWhere Junior Hockey Fits
Junior hockey is one of several routes, not a required step. Some players move from club or school hockey directly into college hockey, and the men's and women's pathways differ in how junior hockey is used. Beyond The Puck does not rank leagues or teams and does not claim any level leads to a particular outcome.
AAA Hockey Organizations
Club programs many players compete in before junior age.
OpenPrep School Hockey
Secondary schools with hockey programs, an alternative or a step before junior.
OpenNCAA Division I Men's Hockey
The men's college landscape families research alongside junior options.
OpenNCAA Division I Women's Hockey
The women's college pathway, which is structured differently from the men's.
OpenPlayer Pathway
How the levels connect, and at what ages decisions usually come up.
OpenThree Different Questions
What exists?
Directories show you the organizations, schools, leagues and programs across the hockey landscape.
You are here
How are teams performing?
Rankings are a separate product covering competitive results — and what they can and cannot tell you.
Open RankingsWhat makes sense for my player?
Not sure what path makes sense? Build your personalized Player Hockey Roadmap.
Build your roadmapYour Next Step
Considering Junior Hockey?
Build your personalized Player Hockey Roadmap and see how the junior pathway fits alongside the other options available to your player.