JT Compher has jumpstarted his journey to the 2013 NHL Draft.

The 17-year-old was one of 23 players named to the United States National Team Development Program’s Under-18 squad after spending last season with the organization’s under-17 club.

The six-foot, 165-pound forward was second on the USNTDP U-17’s in points with 42, including a team-best 27 assists. In a 14 game stint with the U18’s, he had six goals and three assists.

Compher was 11th in Future Considerations Summer Ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft.

Will Butcher, ranked 29th, was also named to the team. In all, 20 of the 23 players named to the team are eligible for this year’s draft.