The 2025 Clark Cup Playoffs get started Monday night as four best-of-three series will take place this week.

The second round follows shortly thereafter, beginning on Friday. The full playoff schedule can be found here and every USHL playoff game will be available on FloHockey.

• Subscribe to FloHockey today to watch every game from the Clark Cup Playoffs
• USHL's Playoff Field Set As Battle For Clark Cup Looms
• USHL Final Regular-Season Standings

As for those four first-round matchups, Madison (3) hosts Green Bay (6) and Cedar Rapids (5) visits Muskegon (4) in the Eastern Conference, while Waterloo (3) hosts Tri-City (6) and Fargo (5) heads to Sioux City (4) in the Western Conference.

Youngstown (1) and Dubuque (2), and Lincoln (1) and Sioux Falls (2) earned first-round byes as the top two teams in each conference.

Here are some of the top prospects to keep an eye on in the opening round.

Thomas Vandenberg, F, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Vandenberg has continued to progress throughout his rookie season and the left-shot forward finished the season strong, scoring in his final two regular-season games and adding an assist in the finale. Vandenberg has nine goals and 17 points over 55 games, but he’s played his best hockey over the past month and was tendered by the RoughRiders last April for a reason.

Sam Laurila, D, Fargo Force (2025 draft-eligible)

Laurila has been one of the USHL’s top defensemen this season, especially in the offensive zone. The Moorhead, Minn. native has 41 points, which is tied for fourth among USHL blue liners, and he’s been a mainstay on Fargo’s top pair and power play. Laurila came in at No. 63 among North American skaters on Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings.

Will Zellers, F, Green Bay Gamblers (BOS)

Zellers has continued to elevate his game and flourish his first full USHL season. The North Dakota commit netted a USHL-leading 44 goals and has proven to be a threat from anywhere with the puck on his stick. Zellers went goal-less over his final four regular-season games, yet he had nine goals over his previous nine contests. Zellers and Aidan Park have combined for 77 goals and 137 points this season.

RECORD-SETTER! 📣

Will Zellers (@NHLBruins/@UNDmhockey) blasts his 42ND GOAL of the season—claiming the @GamblersHockey single-season goals record! 🔥#USHL pic.twitter.com/PY8VYwmDZ5

— USHL (@USHL) March 30, 2025

Ryker Lee, F, Madison Capitols (2025 draft-eligible)

Lee’s Rookie of the Year case is as good as anyone’s, and he’ll likely be one of the USHL’s first players off the board at the NHL Draft. The Michigan State commit is averaging over a point per game (1.17) and leads all rookies in goals (31), points (68) and power-play tallies (10). Lee’s 68 points rank fourth in the USHL overall, as do those 31 goals. The 18-year-old checks plenty of boxes with his game.

Ivan Ryabkin, F, Muskegon Lumberjacks (2025 draft-eligible)

Ryabkin potted three goals over his first two USHL games and the production has continued from there. The Russian forward finished the regular season with 19 goals and 30 points over his 27 games, and he had five points (3-2-5) over his final three. Ryabkin is undoubtedly one of, if not the league’s top NHL Draft prospect and will now get the chance to compete in the playoffs.

Giacomo Martino, F, Sioux City Musketeers

Martino finished atop the USHL this season with 74 points, and his 32 goals ranked third. The Northeastern commit has 20 points (8-12-20) over his 13 games since March 1 and had three points (2-1-3) for Sioux City this spring. However, he has a bigger role and should have much more confidence this go around.

Cooper Simpson, F, Tri-City Storm (2025 draft-eligible)

Simpson led Shakopee on a deep run in the Minnesota High School Tournament. Simpson scored 49 goals, was named a Mr. Hockey finalist and captained his team to a section championship. He hasn’t slowed down either, especially on the score sheet. Simpson has scored in five straight and seven of his first nine games with the Storm, and he’s hoping to make another playoff run.

Brendan McMorrow, F, Waterloo Black Hawks (2025 draft-eligible)

McMorrow has been one of Waterloo’s leaders all winter and his 24 goals pace the Black Hawks. McMorrow is also third on the club with 42 points, and his six game-winners and 14 power-play tallies lead the way. Those 14 power-play goals are also tied for second among USHL skaters. The Denver commit spent the past two seasons at the NTDP and has three USHL playoff games under his belt. However, he’s enjoyed an elevated opportunity in Waterloo and made the most of it so far.

The OFFICIAL 2025 #ClarkCup Playoff bracket! Let’s get this show on the road 🏆🔥

🔗 https://t.co/5pQMmJAWhH pic.twitter.com/5YrMICVmdA

— USHL (@USHL) April 13, 2025

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best and most complete coverage of the NHL minor league hockey, and NHL Draft news is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Watch AHL, ECHL, USHL, And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the AHL, ECHL, USHL, and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook