By Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com
Rockets Hockey Club goaltender Chace Hale got one of his favorite calls ever when he was invited to the Pittsburgh Penguins Development Camp earlier this summer. A three-year NCDC veteran who played the past two seasons with the Rockets after previously playing for the South Shore Kings, Hale was extremely excited for the opportunity to prove himself against some of the Penguins’ top draft picks and prospects.
“This summer I have been training with Penguins goalie coaches Mike Chiasson and Andy Chiodo. They are great coaches and have been able to help improve my game. They were looking to bring in a goalie for development camp and thought I would be a great fit, especially as a hometown kid,” said Hale, a 2003-born Pittsburgh native.
Hale is the all-time leader in games played for the Rockets NCDC team, with 51 appearances since 2022, and his .913 save percentage with the Rockets is tied for fifth in NCDC team history among goalies with at least 10 appearances. Additionally, Hale’s .918 save percentage during the 2023-24 playoffs is third best in team history for a single playoff year. Hale is taking these fantastic performances to the NCAA’s Albertus Magnus College this fall. He’ll certainly be going in confident after taking shots from and making saves against the Penguins’ fellow NHL hopefuls.
“I thought I did well at the camp. Everyone there is a great player, so it was definitely tough at times. Overall, I was happy with how I played. The coaches at the camp were pleased with my performance and I will be able to do more training with the Penguins players and prospects as they get ready for the season,” said Hale. “It was a great experience competing against the Penguins’ top draft picks and prospects. It was neat to see how I compare against the next wave of NHL players and goalies.
It wasn’t just the prospects that were on the ice, but they were also joined by some Penguins’ all-time legends.
“I was lucky enough to skate with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang during the camp as well,” added Hale. “They were idols to me growing up and it was unreal being able to stop their shots and talk to them.”
Hale looked back fondly on his time with the Rockets and was especially proud to carry the flag for the organization, as well as his future NCAA team, at the NHL development camp.
“I was excited to represent the Rockets Hockey Club along with Albertus Magnus by attending the Penguins development camp. I hope I can bring some attention to both the NCDC and NCAA Division III levels as both have a lot of great talent.”
He is spending this summer gearing up for his NCAA debut and reflected on being originally able to connect with the Albertus Magnus staff to make his commitment a reality.
“I am looking forward to attending Albertus Magnus in the fall. I had a great visit in the spring and loved the campus. Our coach Kyle Wallack has an ambitious approach and treats the players well. He has brought the young hockey program consecutive winning seasons,” said Hale. “Until the start of school, I will be working with my goalie coaches twice a week and working out to build up my strength and stay healthy for the new season.”
The NCDC and USPHL congratulate Chace Hale for taking part in the 2024 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Development Camp and wish him the best of luck in his NCAA career at Albertus Magnus College.
