One of the greatest honors as an American is to be selected to represent your country. On April 4, 2023, the Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) announced 24 young men to represent the Under-17 Team for the 2023-2024 season. Maceo Phillps, a sophomore defenseman, was selected for the team and will not return to BSM’s lineup next season. NTDP is considered to be the most prestigious program in the world for men’s hockey, as players are selected based on NHL potential. However, the rigorous program does not start on the first day of tryouts, players are evaluated for years, and then coaches decide to invite them to the team.

For a few young hockey players, being selected for NTDP has been a goal, a work in progress, and finally a reality. “It’s a huge honor to represent our country. I’d say this is something I’ve been working for. But I mean, I can’t celebrate too much, the work is just starting. Now it is all about being held to the standard and preparing for this upcoming season,” Phillips said.

The process of becoming one of the top 24 players in the country doesn’t happen overnight. Phillips grew up in the Wayzata Hockey program, one of the best in the state, and enrolled at BSM his freshman year. He has been working with many coaches and programs to prepare for his shot at the biggest stage. “I’ve been skating and working out with Josh Levine from Fortis. He has been great in helping me prepare for the tryout. Nathan Welty from Velocity also helped me prepare. They both helped me fine-tune my skills before I went to tryouts,” Phillips said.

Taking the step from high school hockey to the national stage comes with many challenges and changes. Players are tasked with leaving their high school, leaving their family, living with a billet family, and playing at the highest level they can all at the same time. “There is going to be a lot of change. Now on the national stage, everything you do is being looked at… Also moving to a different league with bigger, faster, stronger players, I just have to keep working hard this summer,” Phillips said.

Phillips credits his mom for all the success thus far in his career. “I definitely say to my mom she’s huge with this, just kind of always pushing me to work hard and never letting me give up and anything I do,” Phillips said.