Look for 3 divisions in USHL next season

This is assuming, of course, that the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders will be a part of the USHL next season. I'm about 95-percent certain they will be, by the way.

In talking to a few people, including USHL Commissioner Skip Prince, look for three divisions next season, with two five-teamers and one six-teamer. Remember that Dubuque and Muskegon, Mich., are joining the league, making it 16 teams.

The schedule should be division heavy, emphasizing rivalries, and going lighter on long-distance travel. My guess is the Riders will be in a division with Waterloo, Des Moines, Dubuque and Green Bay. 

My other guesses for divisions are Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Lincoln, Fargo, Tri-City and Omaha out west and Team USA, Youngstown, Muskegon, Chicago and Indiana out east.

The league wants to expand to 18 teams relatively soon, then keep it at 18 teams. Another guess is the league will try and get one more team somewhere in Michigan because it wants to compete against the nearby OHL and keep as many American players here as it can.