Tory Dello recently got a little taste of what hockey will look like next year.

The Crystal Lake Central sophomore was tendered a contract by the USHL’s Tri-City Storm and played three games with the team in late December. Dello, a 15-year-old defenseman, was the first player born in 1997 to play in the USHL this season. He plans on returning to Kearney, Neb., later this season and then playing with the Storm full-time in the 2013-14 season.

“It was a really good experience,” Dello said. “I played pretty well. It was good, so I know what to expect next year. The speed of the game was the biggest thing. That, and playing against kids who are bigger and stronger.”