Buffalo Sabres prospect Ashton Schultz has surged in performance since his mid-February trade from the Chicago Steel to the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Minnesota native and sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft struggled with a slow start during his stint with Chicago but has since amassed 10 points in eight games with Sioux City, elevating his offensive impact significantly.
Schultz began his USHL career with the Sioux Falls Stampede before playing for Chicago. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 181 pounds, the young forward has impressed Sioux City’s head coach, Jason Kersner, who emphasized Schultz’s winning mentality as key to the trade acquisition.
Truthfully, I’m not sure we would have made that level of trade for any other player in the league,
Kersner revealed to Tyler Millen of Sabres.com.
Those intangibles and who he is, as much of how good as a player he is, is why we felt comfortable making the move.
Building Defensive Skills and Preparing for College Hockey
While Schultz excelled offensively in high school—registering 57 points in 28 games during his senior year—his focus in the USHL has been sharpening his defensive abilities. Transitioning from high school to a league packed with talent required Schultz to develop a well-rounded game, particularly as a center responsible for both ends of the ice.
That’s been a big thing for me these past two years, coming from high school to the USHL, everybody’s good. There’s not a bad player on the ice,
Schultz said.
Having that 200-foot game, especially playing center most of the time, you’ve got to have that. I think this year, it’s been another focus of mine to keep adding on to the defensive side, especially going into college next year.
Schultz is set to continue his hockey development next season at the University of North Dakota, a top-ranked NCAA program currently placed second nationally. This move will represent a significant step in his development against elite collegiate competition.
Defying Draft Odds with Steady Progress and Leadership
Success for a sixth-round NHL Draft pick is not guaranteed, as statistics show only 30.6% of players selected in that round appear in an NHL game, with a mere 8.4% reaching 100 career points. Despite these challenging odds, Schultz is positioning himself well to defy expectations through consistent growth and leadership.
In December, Schultz showcased his talents on the international stage at the 2025 World Junior A Challenge, contributing six points in five games as part of the United States team that secured the tournament championship.
Although Schultz’s overall scoring in the USHL stands at a modest 72 points across 109 games, his value extends beyond raw offense. His playmaking skills and emerging leadership qualities have become vital assets. Sioux City’s qualification for the USHL playoffs will provide more opportunities for him to perform in high-pressure situations.
Projected Development Path Toward the NHL
Given his current trajectory, Schultz projects as a potential bottom-six center if he reaches the NHL. His development timeline remains flexible but realistic, likely involving at least two seasons at North Dakota followed by a period in the AHL with the Rochester Americans before a possible NHL debut.
Typically, late-round picks like Schultz take several years to mature fully, with an NHL arrival around age 24 or 25. However, strong performance at the collegiate level could accelerate this progression, especially if Schultz’s offensive game adapts well to the rigorous competition of the NCAA.
Even if a permanent NHL position does not materialize, Schultz’s blend of competitive drive and skill ensures a promising hockey career. The Sabres organization views his recent upswing after the trade as an encouraging sign of his future potential.
