Wisconsin commit K'Andre Miller (Hopkins). Photo by Nick Wosika.
Four Minnesota natives may be sporting the red, white and blue this season as members of the National Team Development Program Under-17 team, but on a fall weekend their national duties called them home to play a pair of games in New Hope.
Trevor Janicke (Maple Grove), K’Andre Miller (Minnetonka), Keegan Karki (St. Cloud Cathedral) and Ryan Ullan (Hibbing/Chisholm) faced Team Northwest of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League and a team of players made up from all Elite League teams in games on Oct. 15 and Oct. 16.
The NTDP U-17’s may have dropped both games, but the native Minnesotans were nonetheless happy to be performing in front of family and friends again.
“It was nice to see my family and friends up there (in the stands), and fun to play against some names I recognize” Janicke said after the NTDP U-17’s 4-0 loss to Team Northwest.
“It was good hockey, it was fast,” Janicke added of the competition afforded Team USA by the Elite League.
Notre Dame commit Trevor Janicke (Maple Grove). Photo by Nick Wosika.
The games at New Hope Ice Arena, home to the Elite League also stirred fond memories for Karki, Team USA’s goaltender for the first game.
“I think playing in the Elite League last year kind of developed me a little more than the regular season,” Karki said after making 20 saves in the loss to Northwest.
Janicke, Karki and Ullan also shared that their favorite youth hockey memories came in bantams.
“Probably the state tournament my first year of bantams,” Janicke said.
Karki's involved a change of scenery.
“I switched over to St. Cloud (during) bantam youth hockey,” Karki explained, adding that his fondest memory was the camaraderie he shared with is teammates.
Ullan’s favorite moment came against a northern rival.
“Beating Duluth East in overtime my first year of bantams,” Ullan said.
North Dakota commit, Keegan Karki (Sartell). Photo by Nick Wosika.
K’Andre Miller quarterbacks the NTDP U-17’s first power play unit, and says that his most memorable experience actually comes from his sophomore season with Minnetonka’s varsity in 2015-2016.
“The bus ride to Grand Rapids with my team from Minnetonka,” Miller said.
“We had a good time on the bus and it was a lot of fun.”
The good times continue to roll for Miller, who’s recorded two goals and six points in 11 games for Team USA.
“Getting to wear that jersey every day, representing your country, doing the sport you love,” Miller said, ticking off his prized aspects of playing for the NTDP.
According to Miller, he and the rest of the NTDP team are in the process of creating countless more memories.
“We’ve bonded very closely on and off the ice,” Miller said with a grin.
“We’re brothers already.”
Hibbing's Ryan Ullan staring down rubber for the NTDP. Photo by Nick Wosika.