Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

2019-2020 USHL season schedule announced for Muskegon, USA Hockey NTDP

 

By @MichaelCaples –

The 2019-2020 USHL season schedule has officially arrived for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

The in-state rivalry will play out eight times this upcoming season – four times at L.C. Walker Arena and four times at USA Hockey Arena.

The NTDP will host the first battle between the two Michigan-based USHL programs on Oct. 11; the following night, the two will play in Muskegon.

The USHL season will consist of 62 games; all member franchises will begin play with two games at the 2019 USHL Fall Classic in Cranberry Township, Pa., from Sept. 26-29.

Michigan names on the Chicago Steel and Green Bay Gamblers will get to take part in the first-ever Frosty Cup, hosted by the Dallas Stars. Those two USHL franchises will play outdoors at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas on Jan. 3 in conjunction with the NHL Winter Classic.

Here are the eight games between Team USA and the Lumberjacks, with the games starting at 7:05 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

Oct. 11 in Plymouth

Oct. 12 in Muskegon

Nov. 27 in Muskegon

Dec. 11 in Plymouth (10:35 a.m. start)

Dec. 13 in Muskegon

March 17 in Muskegon

April 3 in Plymouth (3:05 p.m.)

April 4 in Plymouth

The NTDP has not yet unveiled its full schedule with its added NCAA games. The USHL schedule also does not state which of the NTDP teams – the Under-17 Team or the Under-18 Team – will play be playing in today’s schedule reveal.

Full USHL schedule

Other Muskegon notes:

The Oct. 12 game with the NTDP will be Muskegon’s home opener.

Muskegon has a six-game homestand between Nov. 1 and No. 16.

From March 27 through April 17, the ‘Jacks will not leave the state of Michigan, as they have five home games and two road contests in Plymouth.

The Lumberjacks’ last home game is against the Chicago Steel on April 17; they conclude the USHL regular season the following day in Chicago.

Other NTDP notes:

The Oct. 11 game with Muskegon is the NTDP’s first USHL home game of the season.

The NTDP will be hosting the Youngstown Phantoms on Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving.

Team USA has a nine-game homestand between March 20 and April 11.