CHICAGO -- The United States Hockey League is currently engaged in discussions to create a national affiliation with the Tier I Elite League, the top elite youth hockey league in the United States.

The Tier I Elite League is currently comprised of 19 hockey organizations throughout the U.S., in multiple age groups, from Squirt to Midwest Major.

In Tuesday's USHL Futures Draft, a total of 20 players -- 22 percent of the 90 drafted -- were selected from Tier I Elite League teams, none of whom were selected by the Sioux City Musketeers, according to the team's coach, Luke Strand.

"It's a work of progress and while we're not there yet, we've been exploring the possibility of a closer relationship with this group of elite organizations for the past 12 months," USHL Commissioner Skip Prince said.

The terms of the proposed agreement could recognize the Tier I Elite League as the USHL's official developmental league. The parties have discussed re-branding the league to better reflect its affiliation within the USHL.

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