Dubuque Saints send 30 players to NHL development camps

Thirty players with ties to Dubuque were in NHL development camps across 17 teams, a striking snapshot of how often the Fighting Saints have pushed prospects into the next stage. The list stretched from recent roster standouts to draft picks from earlier classes, giving the Saints a broad presence in pro hockey circles.

Ludvig Lafton was one of the most visible names. The 2024 sixth-round pick by Utah was in Mammoth camp after a productive season in Dubuque, where he posted 35 points in 56 games. Lafton is set to start his college career at Maine this fall, another step in a path that has moved through the USHL and now into an NHL organization.

Dubuque also pointed to rookie defenseman Lincoln Krizizke as another example of the program’s reach. Krizizke earned an invite to Boston’s camp after finishing his first USHL season with 18 points in 51 games and a plus-nine rating. His offensive ceiling was on display in January, when he scored twice in 22 seconds and finished with a career-high three points against the USA NTDP.

The camp roster spread well beyond those two names. Sean Barnhill was back at Rangers camp, Matthew Desiderio was with Philadelphia, Jake Sondreal went to Washington and Lucas Van Vliet landed in Vegas. Other Saints-connected players were spread through Boston, Colorado, Columbus, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Nashville, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Winnipeg, underscoring how many NHL front offices have taken a close look at Dubuque talent.

That reach has built steadily. Over the last three NHL Drafts, 15 players with Saints ties have been selected, giving the organization a clear sales pitch to recruits and their families: strong seasons in Dubuque can turn into draft attention, development camp invitations and, in some cases, a quick jump to college hockey or a return to the USHL after a strong draft year. The 2026-27 schedule is already out, and season tickets are on sale as the Saints try to turn another wave of interest into the next class of pro prospects.