Superior native JJ Marthaler is currently in 11th grade and playing for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) U17 team. NTDP has two teams, U17 and U18, and each team is based out of suburban Detroit, Michigan. The U17 team is predominantly players in 11th grade, and the U18 team is typically players in 12th grade and their second year with NTDP.

USA Hockey created the NTDP almost 30 years ago for the specific purpose of providing advanced player development for players that USA Hockey evaluated as the top prospects in 11th and 12th grades.

Each year a new group of approximately 23 players are given an opportunity to join USA Hockey’s NTDP. It is highly selective. JJ is the lone player from Wisconsin on the NTDP U17 team.

Let’s hear from JJ Marthaler!

How would you describe your NTDP experience? Overall amazing. The way they have it set up; they develop players the best. The on-ice and off-ice development is great. NTDP develops next level stars. I am a completely different player than when I first got here. It has been extremely beneficial for me.

What does your typical day look like? School starts in the early AM. At 12 noon we have skills practice. At 12:30PM we have team practice for two hours usually but could be shorter if it is before a game. At 2:45PM we are in the gym until 4:15PM. After 4:15 each player is on his own, some guys shoot pucks, others do recovery.

What do you mean by recovery? Cold tub, sauna, or treatment with the trainer.

You have a strong relationship with your parents and friends in Superior…have you been able to stay connected? Yes, I call my parents before games, and we speak every other day. I text with my buddies in Superior after their games to see how they are doing.

Your school is online, do you miss going to a classroom with other students? Yeah, I do miss being in school. I see the same 30 people every day. I miss seeing different people. Being in school adds a different element that I do miss.

What on-ice adjustments were needed to jump from HS hockey to NTDP? I needed to play to an identity. In high school I was one of the better players so I could rush the puck and do a lot. At this level I had to find a role. My breakout passes need to be tape to tape.

What off-ice adjustments did you make? I needed to learn how my billet family works. Every family works a little differently. Also, I needed to understand playing on NTDP I have an obligation because they are developing me, so I need to do my part like get enough rest and to eat healthy.

What part of your game has improved the most since joining NTDP? I would say my transitional game and defensive game. I am much improved at closing gaps. My puck movement is better. I am very successful at moving pucks to the forwards.

Do the international teams play differently? For sure, North American style is more north south. In different countries like Slovakia and Czech they play a rough and tough game. But Sweden and Finland hold onto pucks, and it is a five-man unit.

The Canadian teams have the same style as the US teams? No, Canada is not the same, but they are more similar than other countries.

Are there any individual players you’ve competed against that really stood out? Yeah, Canada had a couple guys. Landon DuPont is a great player, and he is a 09 (year younger than JJ).

Congratulations on the commitment to Minnesota Duluth (UMD). Thank you!

How did you decide on UMD? The team culture and way they play fit with my beliefs. I believe I will be an important part of their program.

What is the timeline for you to arrive at UMD? I plan to head in as a true freshman. So, I would start in the fall of 2026.

What advice do you have for youth and HS players that want to play at the next level? Find your strengths, know your weaknesses. Build on your strengths. Find a niche and be great at it.

Best wishes to JJ Marthaler!

Yours for hockey, Matt Carey

Please visit usahockeyntdp.com for more information regarding USA Hockey’s NTDP.