THE BEST TEAM EVER?

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — While Jack Hughes will command the bulk of the attention in the months leading up to the 2019 NHL draft in June, his teammates won’t be overlooked.

In fact, it’s projected as many as nine players on the NTDP under-18 team could be called to the podium in the first round in Dallas. To hear the NTDP’s senior director of operations describe it, this year’s under-18 team could be the program’s strongest ever, joining the conversation alongside the 1984 birth-year group that included Ryan Kesler, Patrick Eaves and Jimmy Howard, the 1987 cohort that featured Phil Kessel and Jack Johnson, and the 1997 birth-year squad that included Auston Matthews and Jeremy Bracco.

“But I think we’ll know more after next year in terms of where they fit in the overall pantheon,” said Scott Monaghan, who has been with the U.S. program since its formation more than 20 years ago.

Being surrounded by so much high-end talent should only benefit Hughes, who is projected to go first overall.

“He is obviously a very special player, but we see a lot of special things from various individuals on this team,” under-18 head coach John Wroblewski said. “Jack is right there at the top, but these other guys aren’t far behind him. They’re neck-and-neck as far as I’m concerned.”

Added fellow projected first-round pick, defenceman Alex Vlasic: “Having a ton of focus on (Hughes), obviously, it will bring focus to the team in general, so we’re obviously thankful for that. It’s just a great experience to be playing with such a great player.”

Last year, six players with ties to the NTDP were selected in the first round.