USHL Power Rankings: Where teams stand after the first few weeks of the season

After an off-season that consisted of change for many organizations, each USHL team has played a handful of games and started to get a feel for what their group is about. After the first couple weeks of the season, we have one team still looking to pick up their first win, one team that remains undefeated and a lot of action in between that has helped us compile The Rink Live's USHL power rankings.

16. Sioux City Musketeers

The Musketeers have played two games this season and find themselves 0-2. They are currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference in eighth place.

15. Dubuque Fighting Saints

Owning a 1-2 record, the Fighting Saints find themselves tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference. Their only win came against the Buccaneers 5-4 in OT at the Fall Classic.

14. Madison Capitols

The Capitols are 1-2 through their first three games and are in a five way tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They've played a tough schedule so far against really strong Storm and Force teams. Their win was against the Fighting Saints they took 5-3.

13. Cedar Rapids Roughriders

With four games played, the Roughriders currently sit at a 1-3 record early on in the season. They are tied with five teams for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with two points. Their lone win on the season comes against the NTDP where they came out on top 8-3.

12. Muskegon Lumberjacks

The Lumberjacks have played three games this season and have a 1-2 record. They are tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference.

11. Des Moines Buccaneers

Tied for fifth in the Western Conference with the Omaha Lancers, the Buccaneers are 1-1-1 on the season. Lubomir Kupco leads the team with three goals.

10. Youngstown Phantoms

The Phantoms have played two games this season and are 1-1. Defenseman Andrew Strathmann and Will Whitelaw have impressed early on, each tallying three points.

9. Waterloo Black Hawks

Currently sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference, the Black Hawks are 1-2 on the season. Despite what their record shows early on, they have key players on the team that show signs of the team turning a corner, such as defenseman Sam Rinzel.

8. Green Bay Gamblers

The Gamblers sit in third place in the Eastern Conference after four games played. Their two wins have come from the Musketeers and the Steel. Raimonds Vitolins was a late acquisition from the Stampede and has proven to be a solid pick-up as he leads the team with three points.

7. Omaha Lancers

The Lancers are 1-0-1 in the two games they've played early on. This is a team that has shown grit and resiliency through their first two games, especially when they came back down two goals against the NTDP to force OT. Forward Alex Bump has been off to a strong start, leading the team with two goals.

6. Lincoln Stars

The Stars have impressed early on with a 2-1 record. Their four points have them tied for first place in the Western Conference. Mason Marcellus has shined offensively for the Stars with five points, and Cameron Whitehead has stood tall between the pipes and has already received USHL Goaltender of the Week honors with a .941 save percentage and a 1.34 GAA.

5. Fargo Force

The Force are tied for first in the Western Conference at four points and a 2-1 record. Their only loss was at the hands of the Steel. Nineteen players have gotten in on the action in their three games played, contributing at least one point. They have multiple players returning from last year including Cole Knuble and Bret Link who are assets, but also have young players that have proven to be valuable.

4. NTDP

The NTDP are 3-1 on the season and are tied for first place in the Eastern Conference. Their Roughriders handed the NTDP their lone loss on the season in an 8-3 defeat. Stacked with future NHL Draft picks, there is no lack of depth on the team.

3. Sioux Falls Stampede

The Stampede are tied for first place in the Western Conference at 2-1. They have showed offensive fire-power early on, including Sam Harris who has been huge for the Stampede with five goals and an assist. They have 18 skaters who have registered at least one point.

2. Tri-City Storm

The Storm remain the only undefeated team in the USHL with a 2-0 record. They've picked up wins against the Capitols and Lumberjacks in Pittsburgh. Keiran Cebrian and Graham Gamache have led the way for the Storm with a pair of goals and assists each.

1. Chicago Steel

Coming into the top spot, the Chicago Steel sit atop The Rink Live's USHL's power rankings. They are tied for first place with the NTDP in the Eastern Conference with a 3-1 record. Multiple skaters are in on the action making an impact for the Steel, including Jack Harvey and Nick Moldenhauer who lead the team in goals with three and are tied for first in points. Sixteen players have recorded at least one point through the first four games.