Six with Minnesota ties named to U.S. Under-17 National Team

Six players with Minnesota ties are among the 23 players named Wednesday to the U.S. National Under-17 team for the 2020-21 season. Those 23 players were selected to join the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich.

The six with Minnesota ties are:

* Defenseman Ryan Chesley of Mahtomedi and Shattuck-St. Mary's.

* Forward Maddox Fleming of Rochester and Shattuck-St. Mary's.

* Forward Isaac Howard of Hudson, Wis., and Shattuck-St. Mary's, who has committed to Minnesota Duluth.

* Forward Cruz Lucius of Grant and the Gentry Galaxy U16 team, who has committed to the Gophers.

* Forward James Snuggerud of Chaska.

The U.S. Under-17 team, coached by Cottage Grove native Seth Appert, competes in the USHL, along with select games against NAHL teams, in the Minnesota Elite League and in three international tournaments.