Kale Dach, a 5‑foot‑10, 165‑pound forward from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, is set to make his collegiate debut for Penn State this fall, bringing a proven CHL scoring touch to the Nittany Lions' lineup.
A Strategic Addition
Selected 183rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Dach arrives after a standout season with the Calgary Hitmen, where he ranked among the league’s top offensive producers.
Coaches expect the freshman to slot into a bottom‑six center role, a position left vacant after several departing forwards, and to help offset a roster that returns just 37 % of its previous season’s goal production.
While his size may suggest a limited physical presence, Dach’s skating and shot creation have drawn comparisons to former CHL alumni Shea Van Olm and Luke Misa, who also navigated the transition to NCAA play.
The staff has penciled him into the opening night lineup for the October 9 exhibition, signaling confidence that his offensive instincts can translate quickly to the collegiate pace.