Ben Musselman Contributed Experience to Team USA in the Para Development Series

There is nothing quite like donning the Team USA hockey jersey.

Ben Musselman has experienced this before. For more than three years, he was part of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. In fact, he was the final player released before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Paralympics.

A disappointing outcome, indeed, but the 25-year-old from Amelia, Ohio, viewed the 2026 Para Development Series—taking place from April 28 to May 1 against Canada at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—as a significant chance.

“I grew up playing alongside many of the players on the development team,” Musselman stated, “so the series was a great opportunity to re-engage and also to take on a leadership role, which I haven’t had to do as frequently.

“I aimed to be a source of inspiration. It was rewarding to have many younger players seek my guidance and place their trust in me.”

In both instances, he performed exceptionally well. The U.S. lost Game 1 of the series 2-1 on April 28. An unexpected result, but Musselman got things back on course in Game 2 on April 30 by netting the sole goal in a 1-0 win.

That was a noteworthy goal, he remarked.

“I was positioned near the blue line, a couple of strides in,” he recalled. “It was a low shot that just slipped in, right beneath his stick. It was a positive indication that things were starting to move in the right direction.”

He also contributed an assist in the third period during his team’s 5-1 triumph in Game 3 on May 1, securing the series for the U.S. just months after the Americans triumphed over Canada in the gold-medal match at the Paralympics.

Musselman noted that the national team’s victory over Canada provided momentum for the developmental team’s series.

“The U.S. vs. Canada rivalry in all forms of hockey is one of the most intense in sports; it certainly ignited a passion,” he said. “We entered with the expectation to win, just like the national team did. It was gratifying to rebound after a challenging first game to claim the series.”

Now, let’s compare Musselman’s contributions with those of one of the younger players who looked up to him during the series, Kasey Yates.

The 21-year-old defenseman from Tennessee recorded an assist on forward Isaac Escobedo’s goal in the third period of Game 3.

“That was an incredible feeling,” Yates expressed. “I remember receiving the puck and spotting open ice, so I took it for myself. I saw Isaac right next to me. I was going to shoot, but I passed to Isaac, and he did a fantastic job finishing it off.”

Similar to Musselman, the stakes rose significantly for Yates following that Game 1 defeat.

There was no way things would continue in that manner.

“It was like, ‘That’s not going to happen again,’” Yates said. “Being part of that team and seeing all the guys after the game was a memorable moment.”

Of course, Yates does not possess the national team experience like Musselman, making his journey in the series quite different, yet equally meaningful.

Nerves began to build for Yates when he arrived at the arena two hours prior to Game 1 and went through his pre-game routine.

“At that moment, I felt a bit anxious, then we hit the ice for warmups, and I thought, ‘Wow, this is really happening,’” he said. “I was trying to get my skates warmed up and get up to speed. Once I had my first shift, the nerves faded, and I was just focused on giving my best effort.”

However, like Musselman, Yates understands the significance of competing against and defeating Canada.

“That’s what made [the series] exciting and a memorable experience,” he stated. “Competing against Canada is what you aspire to. We were supporting each other. We didn’t want to lose.”

They did not falter in the final two games, and both players viewed the series as a stepping stone toward their shared objective: securing a place on the national team and assisting the U.S. in winning additional gold medals.

Moreover, Yates aspires to emulate Musselman.

“I want to help younger players develop the sport and enhance their skills,” Yates said, “with people looking up to me, approaching me with questions, and guiding them along the way.

“I aim to be the best player I can be and fulfill my role.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.