CHICAGO, IL -- The United States Hockey League announced today the dates for the invitation-only 2019 USHL Combines. The USHL Combines feature competitive and educational events for elite young talent. The USHL Combines were first created in 2010 to annually showcase young players to league general managers, coaches and scouts, and to educate players about opportunities in the nation’s top junior hockey league. 121 players who participated in USHL Combines were selected in the 2018 USHL Draft, and 25% of 2018 USHL Phase I Draft picks participated in the 2018 USHL Phase I Combine.

Notable alumni of the USHL Combines include Paul Cotter, former Lincoln Stars forward who was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 NHL Draft, Team USA forward Alex Turcotte, a top prospect for the 2019 NHL Draft and Tri-City Storm defenseman Ruben Rafkin, who signed a tender with the Storm prior to the 2018-19 season.

The USHL Combines are the only event in which every USHL team is represented by a coach, general manager, or scout. The dates for the 2019 USHL Combines are organized by a player’s birth year:

2001 & 2002 Birth Years: April 18-21, 2019
2003 & 2004 Birth Years (compete separately): April 25-28, 2019
2005 & 2006 Birth Years Player Evaluation Camp (compete separately): May 9-12, 2019
2005 & 2006 Birth Years Combine (compete separately): July 23-26, 2019

All USHL Combines are held at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, IL.

In order to be considered for invitation, players should complete the online questionnaire located at www.ushl.com/combine.

The April Combines are an opportunity for a player to make a final impression on coaches and scouts prior to the USHL Phase I and Phase II Drafts – the key points of entry for players into USA Hockey’s only Tier 1 junior hockey league. Players born in 2003 are eligible for the USHL Phase I Draft on May 6, 2019. All players born between 1999-2003 are eligible for the USHL Phase II Draft on May 7, 2019.

“The USHL Combines are a tremendous opportunity for young players to be scouted and coached by USHL personnel,” said Denny Scanlon, USHL Deputy Commissioner. “Our goal is to give these players an outstanding experience as well the opportunity to showcase their talents against other top players in front of every USHL team."

The 2004 Combine is a great opportunity for players who are just starting their draft process in preparation for the 2020 USHL Draft. Players can learn from and talk with USHL coaches and general managers as they look ahead to their first year of USHL Draft eligibility in the following season, while the 2005 & 2006 Player Evaluation Camp and Combine give players an early look at the league, what it has to offer and the benefits of pursuing a junior hockey career in the USHL. The Combines provide a unique opportunity to gain exposure and experience of playing against some of the best talent in the county in their respective age group, while also providing players with benchmarks on their personal development.

Participating players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills while playing in a minimum of four games in front of USHL coaches and scouts, as well as NCAA coaches. Invitees will also have the opportunity to participate in both on-ice and off-ice testing.