2026-27 USPHL Premier Season Preview: Great Lakes Conference

The 2026-27 USPHL Premier Season Preview Series continues with a look at the Great Lakes Conference.

The Great Lakes brings together programs with a history of success at the Premier level, including several teams coming off 30-plus-win seasons. With new NCDC opportunities now available within multiple organizations, player development and advancement will remain at the forefront as teams battle through another competitive season.

Here is a team-by-team look at the Great Lakes Conference entering 2026-27.

Chicago Crush

2025-26 Record: First Premier Season as the Chicago Crush

The Chicago Crush enter the 2026-27 season celebrating their fifth anniversary, with veteran Head Coach Phil Bushbacher once again behind the bench and an experienced returning core looking to make its mark in the Great Lakes Conference.

Leading the way will be captain Jack Martino, who returns for his fourth season with the Crush organization. Martino brings experience, leadership and production to the lineup after recording 18 points in 31 Premier games last season. A player who has worked his way through the organization and established himself at the Premier level, Martino will be counted on to set the standard both on and off the ice.

Up front, Gio Rizzo is a player to watch. The young forward brings speed, quick hands and a quick, deceptive release that makes him dangerous when he gets time and space. Joey Bledsoe returns after scoring 15 goals at the Premier level last season and gives Chicago another proven offensive threat with the ability to finish around the net.

Joshua Yeates is another returning player expected to take on a larger role after producing 12 points in just 19 Premier games last season while also putting up 26 points in 26 games at the Elite level. His ability to create offense and produce at both levels makes him an intriguing part of the Crush attack.

Brandon Herschbach brings additional experience and offensive ability to the lineup, while Jorge Piraquive enters the season with valuable junior experience already under his belt. Both will be looked upon to take another step and add depth to a forward group that has a good mix of returning players and young talent.

On the blue line, Hunter Pope is coming off an impressive season in which he recorded 30 points in 33 Elite games before adding seven points in 14 Premier appearances. A mobile, offensive-minded defenseman who can move the puck and contribute from the back end, Pope will have an opportunity to take on a significant role for Chicago this season.

The Crush should also have plenty of competition in goal. Returning goaltenders Jack Allivato and Param Chawla give Chicago experience and familiarity in the crease, while newcomer Daniel Federl adds an exciting young international prospect to the mix. The 2009-born Slovak goaltender comes to Chicago after developing in the Slovak youth system with Ružinov and HC Lamač. Federl is an athletic, hybrid-style goaltender who will be making the transition to the North American game and gives the Crush another talented option between the pipes.

With the addition of the Chicago Union at the NCDC level, the Crush now have another important development opportunity directly within the organization. Players who perform and earn the opportunity will have the chance to be evaluated for advancement, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to developing players for the next level.

As the Crush celebrate five years, Bushbacher has a group that combines veteran leadership, returning junior experience and an exciting collection of young players. With Martino leading the way, proven production returning up front, Pope poised for a bigger role on the blue line and a deep goaltending group, the Crush enter 2026-27 ready to compete in what should once again be a challenging Great Lakes Conference

Columbus Mavericks

Head Coach: Joey Recktenwald
2025-26 Record: 32-12-0-0, 64 points

The Columbus Mavericks enter 2026-27 after a 32-win season and with a roster designed to continue feeding players directly into the organization’s new NCDC team.

Offensive firepower, discipline and goaltending are expected to be early strengths for Columbus.

“We have a core group we brought in with the intention of moving them to NCDC during the season,” Recktenwald said.

Cade Bohn, Patrik Frydecky, Robbie Cook and Ori Moss-Rendell are among the returning players expected to take on larger roles.

The Mavericks also have a significant group of newcomers, including local players Grayden Bradshaw, Hudson Gerber and Evan Moore. Sam Pies, Owen Abraham, Pascal Bezares, the Faulkner twins, Konstantin Schleiermacher and Jakub Vesely are among the additions Columbus believes can compete for NCDC opportunities.

“We’ve added these players to this roster with the intention of losing them to our own NCDC team this season, whether it’s for call-ups or permanent promotions,” Recktenwald said.

Sebastian Dabb and Simon Sochor are also expected to bring additional size and physicality.

During the offseason, Columbus focused heavily on identifying players capable of progressing to the NCDC both this season and beyond.

The Mavericks expect their newcomers to bring energy while maintaining the pace that helped the program increase from 27 wins in 2024-25 to 32 victories last season.

“We will play fast and look to pick up where our previous Premier teams the last two seasons left off,” Recktenwald said.

The challenge will be maintaining that standard every night.

“Everyone here knows how to win and build teams,” Recktenwald said. “We need to be ready to go 44 times or we can learn some hard lessons quickly.”

For Columbus, development and advancement will ultimately remain the benchmark.

“Developing players that are ready for college or NCDC following this season,” Recktenwald said.

Fort Wayne Spacemen

Head Coach: Cameron Wirick
2025-26 Record: 33-11-0-0, 66 points — Midwest Division Champions

The Fort Wayne Spacemen enter the Great Lakes after a 33-win campaign and another division championship at the Premier level.

Goaltending and veteran experience are expected to anchor this year’s group.

Camden Blauvelt and Matthew Schackart return up front, while Collin Nelson, AJ Roth and Brayden Hieber provide experience on defense.

Newcomers Gunnar Zosel in goal, Jan Goris at forward and Carter Murphy on defense are among the players Fort Wayne believes can contribute immediately.

“We focused on building from the net out,” Wirick said. “We wanted to solidify our goaltending early on and work our way out to the defense, then forwards.”

Center depth was another area the organization targeted after identifying it as a weakness last season.

Fort Wayne expects work ethic and balance to define the team.

“We have veteran players returning that know the expectations of giving 100 percent every single day,” Wirick said. “We will have a balanced roster this year of players who can put the puck in the net and also defend hard and play disciplined.”

A fast start will be especially important.

“Our conference is extremely competitive, so every point is going to matter to ensure home ice in playoffs,” Wirick said. “We have to start Day 1, Game 1.”

Development remains an everyday focus for the Spacemen, with daily ice access, strength training and instruction built around habits used at higher levels of hockey.

After four consecutive Premier Nationals appearances, Fort Wayne wants to extend that streak.

“A successful season for us would be to make Nationals for the fifth straight time at the Premier level while also playing for the National Championship,” Wirick said.

Metro Jets

Head Coach: Jamie Lovell
President/General Manager: Justin Quenneville
2025-26 Record: 36-7-0-1, 73 points

The Metro Jets enter 2026-27 after another strong Premier season, bringing an established development model into a new year alongside the organization’s NCDC and development teams.

For Lovell and Quenneville, the identity of the program continues to begin with its process.

“Our strength is our process,” Quenneville said. “We focus more on helping the players individually by giving them all the tools to get better and get exposure.”

Metro has several returning players expected to help newcomers adjust, but the organization’s multi-level structure means development extends well beyond one individual roster.

With six full-time coaches, the Jets believe they have the resources to provide players with significant individual attention throughout the season.

“We want players who are committed, open to learning and willing to be challenged,” Quenneville said.

Rather than defining its identity simply through playing fast or physical, Metro places its emphasis on habits, decision-making and culture.

“Our identity is in our process and culture,” Quenneville said. “We focus on habits and decision making.”

Discipline will remain one of the biggest keys within the Great Lakes.

“In order to compete consistently, you need to be disciplined in your decision making, your systems and your maturity,” Quenneville said.

The Jets’ Premier, NCDC and development teams provide a multi-level pathway for players to pursue advancement opportunities while receiving individual development and exposure.

“Our model by definition is a development program,” Quenneville said. “All the opportunities are here for them with our multi-layered model and the showcases we play in.”

For Lovell and Quenneville, success is ultimately measured by the progress of their players.

“Having players achieve their goals, being competitive consistently and advancing players to opportunities,” Quenneville said.

Red River Spartans

Head Coach: Josh Tobin
2025-26 Record: 35-9-0-0, 70 points

The Red River Spartans enter 2026-27 following a 35-win season and with another roster built around depth, leadership and development.

“Our biggest strength is our depth and our commitment to playing the game the right way,” Tobin said. “We have a good mix of returning players and talented newcomers.”

The Spartans expect their returning group to take significant steps both on the ice and in the locker room, while a deep incoming class will compete for opportunities immediately.

Red River placed a particular emphasis on culture throughout the offseason.

“We focused heavily on recruiting, player development and building the right culture,” Tobin said. “We wanted to bring in players who fit our style of hockey and, just as importantly, fit our organization.”

The Spartans also continued improving their strength and conditioning resources, training environment and overall player experience.

On the ice, Red River expects a clear identity.

“We want to be a fast, physical and disciplined team that competes every night,” Tobin said. “We want to play with pace, move the puck quickly and be aggressive in transition, while still being responsible defensively.”

Consistency will be critical.

“Our conference is extremely competitive and there is very little room for complacency,” Tobin said. “We have to be prepared every night, manage the details of the game and understand that every point matters.”

The addition of an NCDC team within the organization also gives Red River Premier players a direct pathway to the Tier II level.

“Development is at the center of what we do,” Tobin said. “Our goal is not simply to win games; it is to help every player leave our program better prepared for the next step in his hockey career and in life.”

For Red River, those development goals go hand in hand with competing for championships.

“A successful season would be one where our players improve every day, our team competes for championships and we continue to move players to the next level,” Tobin said.

Toledo Cherokee

Head Coach: Kenny Miller
2025-26 Record: 37-6-1-0, 75 points — Great Lakes Division Champions

The defending Great Lakes Division Champion Toledo Cherokee enter 2026-27 after a 37-win season and with another roster carrying high expectations.

This year’s group, however, will have a different look.

“Goaltending. We’re built from the net out,” Miller said of Toledo’s biggest strength.

Anthony Venturini, Teig Lucidi and Jamison Rose are among the returning forwards expected to take larger roles.

The newcomers include 2009-born forward Nolan Fischer, 2008-born forward Ashton Black and 2007-born forward Ty Popowicz.

After relying on an older roster last season, Toledo made getting younger a priority.

“We had an older group last year,” Miller said. “We needed to turn the page and build up another core of players.”

That youth is expected to bring another element to the Cherokee.

“Skill and energy,” Miller said. “We have a ton of skill, especially up front. And with us having a younger group this year, we will bring a ton of energy every game.”

Preparation will be essential as the younger roster adjusts to a difficult Great Lakes schedule.

“There are no nights off in our division,” Miller said. “And with the success we’ve had in the past, we will get everyone’s best effort against us.”

Advancement continues to be one of the program’s biggest priorities. Miller expects four to five players from last year’s team to move to the NCDC level, with another 10 to 12 advancing to college hockey.

“We put a huge emphasis on advancement every year,” Miller said. “It’s one of the keys to the amount of success we’ve had.”

Toledo’s expectations for team success remain just as high.

“Our goal stays the same each year,” Miller said. “Coney Cup Champs, Division Champs, Nationals berth and National Champs. Anything less doesn’t sit right with us.”