Nashville’s 55th Overall Pick Recorded 79 Points in 61 Games for USNTDP’s U-18 Team

At the midpoint of the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, four players from the USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program U-18 team had already been selected.

From the stands of Sphere, Teddy Stiga was waiting eagerly, unaware that the Nashville Predators were about to pick him as the fifth from the program.

Reflecting on the moment, Stiga expressed, “It was a dream come true. This is what every hockey player dreams of. And now, this is where the real work begins.”

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Self-described as a skilled, two-way forward, Nashville’s 55th overall pick produced at more than a point-per-game pace in his draft year in 61 contests with the American U-18 group (36g-43a-79pts).

Stiga’s 79 points and 36 goals were the third-most among his U-18 teammates, while his 43 assists were tied for third most with teammate and fellow 2024 Draft pick Brodie Ziemer (third round, 71st overall).

The forward proved a valuable asset for the United States at the 2024 IIHF U-18 World Championship as well, recording the best plus-minus rating (+15) among all tournament skaters en route to a silver medal – a feat previously accomplished by a cadre of iconic NHLers, Alex Ovechkin, Miro Heiskanen, Erik Karlsson and many more among them.

“I think I’ve always had a lot of skill in my game, but I think these past couple of years I’ve added a lot more tenacity and two-way [ability] to my game. I think my defensive side has gotten a lot better and the aggressiveness, my physicality and the physical play I bring now has been a big change too.”

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Ranked 44th among North American skaters in the final draft report from NHL Central Scouting, the Predators potentially made a steal by selecting Stiga at 55th overall. His strong hockey instincts, consistent scoring ability, and successful performances on the global stage offer great potential for the Nashville team, which aims to enhance its offensive talent within the prospects pool.

“He’s a player that we were really keen on,” stated Predators Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty. “He embodies a fast-paced, aggressive offensive style of play. He’s essentially a modern player. He was highly rated by our team, and the projections had him potentially going anywhere in the second round. That’s just the unpredictable nature of the draft process.”

Set to join Boston College for the 2024-25 season, Stiga is eager to further his growth at one of the nation’s premier college hockey programs. “I’m truly looking forward to embarking on my journey at BC and aiming for a strong start to the season to see where it takes us,” he expressed. “Obviously, the ultimate goal is to win a national championship, so that’s my focus.”

Regarding his future with the Predators, Stiga eagerly anticipates the opportunity to bring his relentless attitude and exceptional playmaking skills to 501 Broadway, whenever that may come to fruition. “I believe I can bring a lot of energy, contribute offensively, and be a player who can help the team secure victories,” he added. “I’ll strive to do whatever I can to make a positive impact.”

To see the complete list of prospects chosen by the Predators at the 2024 NHL Draft, click here, and for Nashville’s full Development Camp schedule, running from July 2-5 at Centennial Sportsplex and concluding with the Future Stars Game on July 7 at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, click here.