USA Hockey Magazine – September 2026

Summary

Vol. 50 No. 7 of USA Hockey Magazine — the September 2026 print edition — opens "Class Is in Session," a back-to-school themed issue that navigates a new hockey season with confidence and determination, alongside a "Uniform Guide" and "Hockey Tech Guide." The $3.95 issue covers the US 17-and-under Men's Select Team's undefeated run at the 2026 U17 Four Nations tournament (p.28), the ACHA's historic Fall Faceoff Invitational at Lake Placid (p.32), the Cullen family's ongoing hockey dynasty (p.38), Kelly Gorbatenko balancing a master's degree with helping Wisconsin defend its national title (p.42), and the changing landscape of college hockey (p.46).

The "Off The Draw" section (p.9) rounds up NHL, college and junior team preparations for the new season, upcoming sled hockey events and Try Hockey For Free registration dates. "Between The Pipes" (p.14) and "Behind The Glass" (p.16) continue as regular goalkeeper and broader-game columns. The Mental Health Corner (p.20) returns as a regular department. The Hockey Tech Guide (p.26) rates the latest training apps, stick-sensor technology and video-analysis platforms. The Slaps Gallery (p.54) and Rink Rat (p.56) columns close the issue.

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Content Guide

▸ Youth / Development / Women's Hockey / College Hockey / Tech / Departments

p.28 · Wild Ride — US 17U Men's Select Team
A match report from the 2026 U17 Four Nations tournament where the US team won all its games, with tactical analysis of the decisive match and profiles of the tournament's top American performers. The article names three players who accelerated their development pathway through this tournament. Track those three names in the next USHL and NTDP selection cycles.

p.32 · A Historic Setting — ACHA Fall Faceoff at Lake Placid
The American Collegiate Hockey Association's Fall Faceoff Invitational at the historic Lake Placid Olympic Center is reported as a milestone for club-level college hockey. The article covers the tournament format, the participating programmes and the significance of playing on 1980 Olympic ice. If your college programme is ACHA rather than NCAA, use the Lake Placid event as evidence that club hockey deserves better rink access.

p.38 · All In The Family — The Cullen Legacy
A multi-generational feature on the Cullen family's hockey roots — from NHL careers through to current college and junior players carrying the name. The piece includes interviews with family members about the pressure and privilege of the surname. Read this before you project NHL trajectory onto any prospect based on bloodline alone; the article is honest about how many Cullens did not make it.

p.42 · Juggling Priorities — Kelly Gorbatenko
Gorbatenko, a Wisconsin Badgers women's player, describes balancing a master's degree programme with helping her team defend its national championship. Her time-management system — blocking academic and athletic time in 90-minute segments — is the article's most transferable insight. Use the 90-minute block system this semester; the transition cost between subjects decreases when you batch similar tasks.

p.46 · A Changing Landscape — College Hockey Rules and Pathways
An analysis of evolving NCAA eligibility rules, the impact of the CHL-NCAA transfer agreement and the new pathways available for players who want to combine major-junior and college hockey. The article includes a decision tree for players choosing between USHL, NCAA, CHL and NTDP routes. Use the decision tree as a family-discussion starting point if your player is approaching the USHL-vs-CHL crossroads.

p.56 · Rink Rat — Player Profile
The back-page player profile covers one NHL or college prospect's journey, habit and advice. Each profile includes a "would you rather" section and a practice-habit snapshot. Use the practice-habit snapshot as a benchmark for your own player's off-ice commitment.

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Editor's Take

The September 2026 issue delivers the transition from summer to hockey season effectively, with the US 17U Four Nations coverage providing genuine competitive insight. The ACHA Lake Placid feature is the issue's most pleasant surprise — club hockey rarely gets this level of editorial respect, and the Lake Placid setting earns the coverage. The Cullen family dynasty piece is well-researched. The weakness is the Uniform Guide: 2 pages of catalogue-style spreads that read as paid content. The Hockey Tech Guide is useful but the products reviewed will be outdated within 12 months. Best for hockey families preparing for the new season and for college-hockey fans who want ACHA coverage alongside the NCAA content.

Strengths
• US 17U Four Nations report provides genuine development insight
• ACHA Lake Placid feature covers an under-reported event
• College hockey pathway decision tree is practically useful

Weaknesses
• Uniform Guide is catalogue advertising
• Tech Guide is seasonally useful but quickly dated

Verdict: Recommended — A strong season-launch issue anchored by youth development and college coverage; buy for the ACHA feature and pathway guide.