Connor Kelley, Brock Faber, and Owen Gallatin have all accepted invitations to skate for the United States National Team Development Program's Under-17 team this upcoming season in Plymouth, MI. 

The trio was part of a five-player contingent from Minnesota that received official offers, with St. Cloud Cathedral's Jack Smith and Hermantown's Blake Biondi being the other two players offered. Smith told the St. Cloud Times that he and his Crusader teammates want another shot at the Class A State Tournament.  

"It was obviously a tough decision," Smith told the Times. "I wanted to stay home. "We're going to have a really good team next year and it's tough to leave home at this point."

As this story goes to press, Biondi's decision has not been made.

With Smith opting to stay and Biondi undecided, the NTDP could look to forwards like Grand Forks (ND) steamroller Jackson Kunz or North Jersey Avalanche speedster Alex Gaffney.  

All three skaters making the transition are defensemen, with Kelley and Gallatin logging significant ice time last season for the Maple Grove and White Bear Lake varsity programs. Kelley, a sophomore, finished the season with two goals and eight points, while the freshman Gallatin racked up three goals and 27 points. Both players are committed to Minnesota-Duluth. 

Faber, who wrapped up an impressive youth career as a member of the Osseo-Maple Grove Bantam AA team with a state championship in March, is committed to Notre Dame.  

With Smith opting to stay and Biondi undecided, the NTDP could look to forwards like Grand Forks (ND) steamroller Jackson Kunz or North Jersey Avalanche speedster Alex Gaffney.  

All three skaters making the transition are defensemen, with Kelley and Gallatin logging significant ice time last season for the Maple Grove and White Bear Lake varsity programs. Kelley, a sophomore, finished the season with two goals and eight points, while the freshman Gallatin racked up three goals and 27 points. Both players are committed to Minnesota-Duluth. 

Faber, who wrapped up an impressive youth career as a member of the Osseo-Maple Grove Bantam AA team with a state championship in March, is committed to Notre Dame.