Tyler Muszelik remembers donning a USA Hockey jersey at the Select 15 Player Development Camp in 2019.
The pride that the Long Valley, N.J., native felt then hasn’t faded into his second year inside of the National Team Development Program. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound goaltender, who committed to the University of New Hampshire in March, is playing for the U.S. National Under-18 Team.
“Putting that jersey on every day means so much, and it’s something you can never take for granted because you never know when the last time will be,” Muszelik said. “It’s such an honor to play for my country, obviously. It’s important to stay humble and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this program.”
Muszelik has been regarded as one of the nation’s best stoppers in his age group for the past few years. With an eye on rising to the college level next fall, this full season as a member of “The Program” in Plymouth, Mich., has been crucial to his development following a COVID-impacted season with the U-17 team.