US National Team Development Program name Rod Braceful as Director of Player Personnel

USA Hockey has announced that the National Team Development Program named Rod Braceful as the new Director of Player Personnel.

 “We couldn’t be happier to welcome Rod back to USA Hockey,” said Scott Monaghan, USA Hockey’s assistant executive director for the NTDP and USA Hockey Arena. “He is well-versed in identifying players and building relationships and will play a key role in the continued evolution of the NTDP.”

Braceful had worked with the NTDP previously from 2018 to 2021 as the assistant director of player personnel, where he was responsible for recruiting and evaluating prospective players for the program.

“I am thrilled to be back with USA Hockey and can’t wait to get started in my new role and continue to bring the best young American talent to the NTDP,” said Braceful. “I would like to thank the Chicago Blackhawks organization, particularly Kyle Davidson, Mike Doneghey and Rob Facca for allowing me to grow professionally and work in the National Hockey League.” 

Braceful spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks as a scout, with responsibilities ranging from amateur scouting across the United States for the NHL Draft to pro scouting in the NHL for potential trade targets and free agent signings. From his amateur scouting side of the position, the Blackhawks made five selections from the NTDP and USHL during Braceful’s tenure, drafting Frank Nazar, Ryan Greene, and Aidan Thompson in 2022, and Oliver Moore and Martin Misiak in 2023.

Braceful also worked as the director of player personnel with the 2022 US Under-18 Men’s Select Team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer, Alberta during his time away from the NTDP. Along with that, he was on the staff of the US Junior Select Team that won the 2022 World Junior A Challenge in Cornwall, Ontario.

Braceful’s career has also seen him work with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL as the director of scouting in the 2017-18 season, the Sioux Falls Stampede as a scout from 2015-17, and Legacy Global Sports as the Midwest hockey director.