West Des Moines, Iowa — Des Moines Buccaneers forward Blake Zielinski has been selected to compete in the 2026 Chipotle All-American game on January 15 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. Zielinski will join other top 2026 NHL draft-eligible players from the USHL and the Under-18 U.S. National Team Development Program.
Zielinski recently helped Team USA earn a gold medal at the World Junior "A" Challenge in mid-december, tallying 4P (2G, 2A) in 5GP. Team USA went 4-1-0-0 on their road to gold at the WJAC in Quebec.
Zielinski was a top-scoring rookie during the 2024-25 season, joining the Bucs partway through the season and tallying 32P (13G, 19A) in 41GP. So far this season, the Providence College commit has notched 17P (5G, 12A) in 19GP.
The Bucs wish Zielinski the best of luck as he competes alongside some of the top prospects across the country. He is the 11th Buccaneer to represent at the Chipotle All-American Game, following Ben Kevan and Edison Engle's performances last year.
About the Buccaneers
Founded in 1980, the Des Moines Buccaneers are a proud member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's premier junior hockey league. The Bucs have a history of success in the USHL, including 4 Clark Cup Championships, 4 Anderson Cup Championships, and 54 alumni drafted to the National Hockey League, including Stanley Cup Champions Kyle Okposo, Alex Chiasson, Trevor Lewis, Davis Drewiske, and Erik Cole. The organization is committed to developing young players on and off the ice, preparing them for a future in collegiate and professional careers. Known for their passionate fan base, the Bucs play their home games at The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, a multi-sport complex in West Des Moines, Iowa.
To learn more, visit www.bucshockey.com or follow the Bucs on social media: @bucshockey on X and Instagram, @desmoinesbuccaneers on TikTok, and Des Moines Buccaneers on Facebook. For more information about ticket packages, including season and group outings, please contact (515) 278-2827.
