HAM LAKE, Minn. — Austin Burnevik, a forward on the United States National Team Development Program was born into the game of hockey while growing up in Minnesota, but it wasn’t always love from the beginning.

“The first time I was ever on the ice I was crying and just wanted to get off so bad,” said Burnevik. “But then when we started doing things like pucks and stuff then I started liking it.”

Burnevik played AAA hockey before playing for Totino Grace High School, where he had 19 goals and 22 assists in 19 games played before joining the USNTDP for the 2021-22 season.

Age: 17 Hometown: Ham Lake, Minn. Position: Forward Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 190 pounds Current team: USNTDP College: St. Cloud State University NHL Rights: 2023 NHL Draft eligible