What would be the point of him not playing another year with the Steel? How many CHL teams are better with development right now?
Two more years in the USHL, and then he can go right to the AHL. He seems like a prime candidate for the type of player who is too good for the CHL for two years after being drafted, but not going to play right away in the NHL, and potentially not in his D+2. It's not like he had a dominant USHL season either, and needs to immediately leave the league for him to be able to continue to develop. Next year he can come back, and play like he did at the end of the season for a full season. After that, he can then decide on playing college or further junior hockey.