Youth Hockey Hub has confirmed with multiple sources that former Grand Rapids forward Blake McLaughlin will remain with the United States Hockey League's Chicago Steel for the 2017-2018 season. 

"Honestly, we reached the top last (year), and I feel like it will be the best for my development and career if I stayed in the USHL," McLaughlin said via text message on Monday night.   

McLaughlin  amassed 30 goals and 93 points in two high school seasons, earning several individual accolades and leading the Thunderhawks to the 2017 Class 2A state championship. A Minnesota commit, McLaughlin was named to the All-Tournament team following his four-goal, five-point performance in 2017. 

He was also a Youth Hockey Hub High School Player of the Year finalist as a junior.

NHL Central Scouting ranked McLaughlin as a "B" prospect and a potential second-round draft pick in its rankings released in October. McLaughlin's rating was the highest of any Minnesota player believed to be returning for their senior season.

As of today, McLaughlin is tied for second in the USHL in points with 15 and paces the league in assists with 11. He has played in 11 games for the Steel, which is currently in first place in the league's Eastern Conference standings.  

McLaughlin's departure comes on the heels of former Thunderhawk standouts Gavin Hain and Zach Stejskal's decisions to not return for their senior campaigns.

Hain will spend the 2017-2018 season with the United States National Team Development Program's Under-18 squad, while the goaltender Stejskal will stay with the USHL's Central Illinois Flying Aces.

In addition to losing three key players, the Grand Rapids program also lost the head coach who helmed the state championship run, as Trent Klatt resigned in June.