Colorado Thunderbirds Join The New USA Hockey Development League

The Colorado Thunderbirds have been selected to join the USA Hockey Development League in its inaugural 2027–28 season, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s 25-year history and expanding opportunities for young hockey players in Colorado to develop and advance while remaining close to home.

The Colorado Thunderbirds will field teams at the 15U and 17U levels as part of USA Hockey’s new national development initiative. The Development League will bring together the top 29 programs from across the country committed to optimizing player development and strengthening the pathway to high-level junior and college hockey.

“For us, this is about creating opportunities for Colorado players,” said Jordan Pietrus, Director of the Colorado Thunderbirds. “We believe players should have the opportunity to pursue their hockey goals without feeling they need to leave home at an increasingly young age. We’re proud to be selected, grateful for the trust USA Hockey has placed in our organization, and committed to being a strong partner in making the Development League successful.”

Over the past 25 years, the Colorado Thunderbirds have helped players advance to junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. Notable Alumni include Jaccob Slavin, a 2026 Olympic gold medalist and Stanley Cup champion; Troy Terry, an Anaheim Ducks All-Star forward and former University of Denver standout; as well as other NHL standouts Seth Jones, Brandon Carlo, and Mikey Eyssimont. Their journeys illustrate the opportunities available to players who begin their development in Colorado. Joining the Development League builds on that history and the organization’s continued commitment to helping the next generation pursue its goals.

Thunderbird alum and Anaheim Ducks NHL All Star Forward Troy Terry said,

“The standards of excellence, the on-ice demands, and the off-ice character development are second to none. I was taught how to train, how to compete, and how to carry myself with integrity. I owe a significant part of my career to the foundation I built with the Thunderbirds.”

A new framework from USA Hockey, the Development League emphasizes age-appropriate training and competition, with the goal of helping players prepare for their next stage of development. It will operate alongside the existing Tier I hockey structure, providing another opportunity for players to progress within USA Hockey’s development pathway.

A proud member of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, the Thunderbirds value the competition and relationships that have supported the organization’s growth. Those experiences have helped establish the foundation for this next chapter. The Thunderbirds will continue to compete as a member of the Tier 1 Elite League as the league continues to lead the nation, in partnership with the USHL, in creating pathways from youth hockey to junior hockey.

“This selection belongs to the players, families, coaches, staff, and supporters who have helped build the Thunderbirds,” Pietrus added. “Their collective commitment has brought us to this point. We’re excited for what comes next, and our focus remains on doing the daily work that helps players improve, grow as people, and prepare for their next opportunity.”

For more information about how the Colorado Thunderbirds organization will merge into the USA Hockey Development League, visit our What You Should Know page.

Thank you all for your support of the Thunderbird organization. We will continue to provide up-to-date information as we receive it from the Development League!