Ashton Schultz, a forward drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2025, was recently traded from the Chicago Steel to the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. The trade came after Schultz requested a move a month prior, leading to Dallas Vieau and four draft picks going to Chicago in exchange.
Schultz had previously experienced being traded early in his USHL career, moving from Sioux Falls Stampede to Chicago. Reflecting on his latest transition, Schultz said, “Last year it was the beginning of the year, so you’re still going to a fresh team, but now this late to the season, you’re joining a group that’s been together for seven months already. Having that experience in the first place really helped just going in and being myself, don’t change who I am, just add on to what they’ve got going already. And I think that’s been super helpful for me.”
Upon arrival in Sioux City, Schultz reunited with former Minnetonka High School teammates Gavin and Luke Garry. The trio had previously won a Minnesota state championship together in 2023.
Sioux City Musketeers coach Jason Kersner commented on acquiring Schultz: “He’d been on our radar for a long time. As Chicago was making some decisions to sell off some pieces this year as they look ahead to the future, he was by far the most intriguing name for us to try to get over here. It was a big deal that our general manager was able to swing to get him here, but we couldn’t be more excited.”
Schultz has played four games with Sioux City as their first-line right winger and contributed five points during that span. He brings significant experience and leadership qualities from his time as an alternate captain with Chicago and as part of Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2025 World Junior A Challenge.
Coach Kersner praised Schultz’s impact: “He’s a winner,” Kersner said. “He’s been around it back to his high school days and at the World Challenge. He’s been part of leadership groups at those various levels. … It was probably one of the more difficult trades I’d ever been a part of, just in the sense of how ingrained the player going out the door was in terms of the chemistry and the fabric of our team, and the only reason why we felt comfortable doing it was because of Ashton and those things.
“Truthfully, I’m not sure we would have made that level of trade for any other player in the league. Those intangibles and who he is, as much of how good as a player he is, is why we felt comfortable making the move.”
Between his time with Chicago and Sioux City this season, Schultz has totaled 27 points across 36 games. His defensive skills were quickly adapted into Sioux City’s system upon arrival.
Schultz is committed to play college hockey at University of North Dakota next season and emphasized his focus on developing defensively: “That’s been a big thing for me these past two years, coming from high school to the USHL: everybody’s good. There’s not a bad player on the ice,” Schultz said. “Having that 200-foot game, especially playing center most of the time, you’ve got to have that. I think this year, it’s been another focus of mine to keep adding on to the defensive side, especially going into college next year. NCHC is tough, so you’ve got to be ready to defend against all the bigger and older, faster, stronger guys.”
Kersner also highlighted Schultz’s approach: “You don’t really know until you get into the weeds and get in the fire with a guy, but I’ve just been so impressed by those little details and how he goes about impacting winning,” Kersner said. “What I’ve learned in just a week and a half, a short time with him, is if he’s not scoring, he’s going to help us win anyways because of how he plays the game. … He’s a perfect fit for us. He’s done a great job. We love having him and look forward to his continued contributions as we try to make a push here.”
The article also spotlights other Sabres prospects:
– Matous Kucharcik (Youngstown Phantoms) announced his commitment to Miami University (Ohio) while recovering from injury; he has recorded 15 points in 34 games during his first North American season.
– Samuel Meloche (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) has played 42 out of 54 games this QMJHL season with strong goaltending statistics including eighth-best goals-against average among regulars.
– Brodie Ziemer (University of Minnesota) leads NCAA power-play goals with 11 and shares first place for Big Ten goals scored this season; he also captained Team USA at this year’s IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
