Jayden Kurtz has been named the MN Hockey Life Player of the Week after a standout performance at the U18 Summer Showcase: The Base vs. APX. The smooth-skating defenseman made his mark on both ends of the ice, burying a goal while locking things down defensively against top-tier competition.
Since the end of the high school season, Kurtz’s game has taken another step forward. His hockey IQ, already a strength, continues to elevate, and his decision-making under pressure is earning attention. A 6th-round pick (90th overall) by the Chicago Steel in the 2024 Phase 2 USHL Draft, Kurtz is trending up at the right time.
Last season, Kurtz posted 5 goals and 15 assists in 29 games, showing his ability to generate offense while anchoring his team’s blue line. Now, with added confidence, improved reads, and growing poise, Kurtz is firmly in the Mr. Hockey conversation for the upcoming season.
Kurtz isn’t just developing, he’s emerging