USPHL, NCDC Alumni Capture 2026 USHL Clark Cup Championship

The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) are proud to recognize several alumni and former coaches who were part of the 2026 United States Hockey League (USHL) Clark Cup Championship-winning Sioux Falls Stampede organization.

The Stampede captured the Clark Cup championship on Saturday night, defeating the Muskegon Lumberjacks in Game 4 of the USHL Finals to secure the league title.

Leading the championship team behind the bench was former Charlotte Rush Premier Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Cruthers. Cruthers previously served with the Charlotte Rush Premier program from 2015-18 and again from 2020-22, while also spending time with the Lake Tahoe Lakers during the 2021-22 season.

Also on the Stampede coaching staff was assistant coach Trevor Kleckner, who worked with the Charlotte Rush organization from 2022-24.

Between the pipes for Sioux Falls was goaltender Waylon Esche, who developed within both the USPHL Premier and NCDC ranks with the Utica Jr. Comets. Esche played in the USPHL Premier during the 2020-21 season before advancing to the NCDC from 2022-24.

The Stampede roster also featured forward Tommy Holtby, a former member of the Jersey Hitmen during the 2023-24 season. Holtby is committed to Army West Point Men’s Ice Hockey.

Forward Justin Thibault also contributed to the championship run after playing for the Mercer Chiefs during the 2024-25 season.

The USPHL and NCDC continue to serve as proven development pathways for players and coaches advancing to higher levels of junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. The success of these alumni on the USHL championship stage further highlights the league’s commitment to advancing talent throughout the hockey world.

The USPHL congratulates Ryan, Trevor, Waylon, Tommy, Justin, and the entire Sioux Falls Stampede organization on capturing the 2026 Clark Cup Championship.