Recent Developments in Junior and Minor League Hockey
In recent developments from the world of junior and minor league hockey, two Pittsburgh Penguins prospects have made notable strides, earning weekly accolades in their respective leagues.
Kale Dach’s Impressive Performance
Kale Dach, a forward for the Calgary Hitmen and a seventh-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, has garnered attention for being named the WHL’s Rookie of the Week following an impressive performance where he scored a total of six points—comprised of four goals and two assists—in just four games.
This marks the second time this season that Dach has received such recognition; he was previously honored as the WHL’s December Rookie of the Month after accumulating 14 points, including eight goals and six assists, over the course of nine games, alongside three game-winning goals. At the age of 18, Dach continues to shine, having registered 58 points (27 goals and 31 assists) in 45 contests this WHL season. With plans to advance his career, he has committed to enroll at Penn State University for the upcoming NCAA season.
Dach’s former teammate, Ben Kindel, who previously shared ice time with him at the Hitmen, also made headlines by achieving personal success during his rookie year in the WHL back in the 2023-24 season. Penguins’ VP of Player Personnel Wes Clark had mentioned last June that the initial strategy was for Dach to play alongside Kindel, but Kindel’s unexpected leap to the NHL created a new unfolding narrative for Dach.
Avery Hayes Shines in the AHL
Meanwhile, in the American Hockey League (AHL), Avery Hayes has also made a splash, recently being named the AHL Player of the Week. This achievement comes just days after Hayes celebrated his NHL debut—an impressive outing where he netted two goals. The 23-year-old forward, who was among the first players recruited by Penguins’ management upon Kyle Dubas’s arrival in June 2023, has compiled a total of 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) in 32 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season.
Adding to his accolades, Hayes completed a hat trick in an overtime victory just after his NHL milestone, highlighting a week filled with personal triumphs. The AHL season is currently on a brief hiatus, with the next games scheduled after the AHL All-Star Game on February 14, where Penguins representatives Sergei Murashov and Tristan Broz will partake in the festivities in Rockford, Illinois.
Conclusion
Overall, the successes of both Dach and Hayes paint a vibrant picture of the promising future for Penguins’ prospects as they continue to develop in their respective leagues and build their professional careers.
