Penguins prospect Dach named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Calgary Hitmen forward and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Kale Dach has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, November 9, 2025.

Dach, an 18-year-old product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., recorded six points (4G-2A) in four games as the Hitmen went 2-1-1-0 this past week.

After being held off the scoresheet Tuesday, November 4, in a 4-3 overtime loss at Regina, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound centre responded Wednesday, November 5, by scoring his seventh goal of the season in a 6-2 loss at Moose Jaw.

Continuing a six-game road trip through the WHL’s East Division, Dach tallied two assists Friday, November 7, in a 6-2 win over the Swift Current Broncos. The first-year WHL forward collected a primary assist, setting up Dallas Stars prospect Brandon Gorzynski to open the scoring on an early power play. Dach then secured a secondary assist on Gorzynski’s second power-play goal of the night, which made it 6-2 for the visitors midway through the third period.

Dach saved his best for last, registering his first career WHL hat trick Saturday, November 8, in a 4-1 win over the Saskatoon Blades. Late in the first period, Dach stole a puck inside the Calgary blueline before breaking in alone and beating Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner to give the Hitmen a 2-0 lead. Only 50 seconds into the second period, Dach went to the net and deposited a pass from Ethan Moore to make it 3-0 for the visitors. He finished off the hat trick with a power-play goal 8:56 into the third period and was named first star of the game.

Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the seventh round (201st overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, Dach is in his first WHL season after signing a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Hitmen on January 23, 2025.

With 20 points (10G-10A) in 18 games, he leads the Hitmen in scoring. He sits tied atop the WHL leaderboard with three game-winning goals to his credit. Dach has registered seven multipoint outings through 18 games this season.

Coming out of the weekend, the Hitmen (12-4-2-0) are third in the WHL’s Eastern Conference and second in the Central Division. Winners of two straight contests, the Hitmen are 8-1-1-0 over their previous 10 games.

Next up, Dach and the Hitmen host the Saskatoon Blades (10-8-2-0) Friday, November 14 (7 p.m. MT) at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.