Gabe Klassen, a 23‑year‑old forward who signed with the Utica Comets this summer, grew up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, a small city about 320 miles southeast of Edmonton. He spent his early teens shuttling between AA and AAA leagues, honing a skill set that would later catch the eye of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks.
Midway through the 2019‑20 season he joined the Winterhawks and quickly rose to captaincy, leading the club for the final two years of his WHL tenure. In his final junior season he topped the team with 106 points — 35 goals and 71 assists — earning a WHL First All‑Star Team nod for the second straight year.
Undrafted and never selected in the NHL entry draft, Klassen entered the Pittsburgh Penguins’ system and spent his rookie year with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers before earning a spot on the AHL’s Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins. In his second professional campaign he posted 17 goals and 36 points, helping the affiliate reach the Eastern Conference Finals, where they fell to the Toronto Marlies in six games.
After the playoff run, he returned to Saskatoon to train alongside longtime teammates from his junior days, using the off‑season to focus on a personal passion: golf. “I’ve been hitting the range a lot,” Klassen said, “and I’m looking forward to checking out the courses around Utica when I get there.”
A New Chapter in the Mohawk Valley
Now settled in Utica for the upcoming season, Klassen is eager to translate his developmental experience into a larger role with the Comets. He sees the organization as a perfect blend of competitive hockey and community engagement, and he hopes his journey from the prairies to upstate New York will inspire fellow prospects.
The Comets’ management believes Klassen’s blend of offensive creativity and work ethic will add depth to their forward lines, while his willingness to explore local golf courses reflects a broader interest in integrating into the community beyond the rink.