Kale Dach (C, L, 5’10”, 165, Sherwood Park Crusaders, 02/15/2007, Penn State)
Kale Dach is a skilled and intelligent left-shot center who produced at an elite level in the BCHL, finishing second in league scoring. Despite his smaller frame, Dach plays a mature and well-rounded game built on pace, agility, and playmaking. He operates with a high compete level and strong hockey sense, allowing him to be effective in all three zones. His skating base, puck distribution skills, and edgework give him versatility both at even strength and on the power play.
Statistical Profile (2024–25):
League GP G A P PIM
BCHL 54 22 65 87 22
Single Game Averages:
TOI: 21:29
Power Play / PK Time: 3:59 / 2:05
Playing in Attack / Defense: 10:17 / 8:36
Scoring Chances / Conversion: 2.6 / 12%
Faceoffs (FO%): 17 draws per game / 47%
Puck Battles (C / C%): 15 / 50%
Pass Accuracy: 85%
Takeaways / Giveaways: 5.2 / 6
Reasons to Draft:
High-End Vision & Playmaking: Dach is a creative passer who sees the ice exceptionally well. He generates offense through smart spacing and execution, whether in transition or sustained zone play. His 65 assists highlight his ability to make plays under pressure and identify passing lanes that others don’t.
Skating Mechanics & Edgework: He skates in a compressed, hunched stance that gives him balance and elusiveness. His edge control and agility allow him to separate from checks and work in tight spaces, particularly off the half wall and on the rush.
200-Foot Game with Power Play Utility: Dach is used in all situations and contributes defensively with reliable positioning and good anticipation. On the power play, he plays both as a distributor and shooter from the flank, making him a dual threat.
Puck Poise & Decision Making: His puck management is efficient. He moves the puck quickly, makes calculated decisions, and rarely forces low-percentage plays. His pre-shot passes and transition feeds are deliberate and effective.
Compete Level Against Size: Despite being 5’10”, Dach consistently battles for space and wins half of his puck battles. He’s not deterred by contact and shows strong body control when engaging with larger defenders.
Reasons for Concern:
Size & Strength Ceiling: At 165 lbs, Dach will need to add muscle to handle the demands of higher levels. His effectiveness in puck battles and defensive reliability may dip against stronger, faster competition until that physical development occurs.
Average Goal-Scoring Tools: While his shot is clean and timely, he’s more of a facilitator than a finisher. With 22 goals in 54 games, he doesn’t project as a volume shooter or high-end sniper at the next level.
Puck Battles & Faceoff Efficiency: A 50% puck battle win rate and 47% faceoff success rate indicate that he’s still working on winning key small-area matchups. These will be critical development areas as he projects to a center role long term.
Projection:
Dach projects as a top-six playmaking center at the NCAA and potentially the NHL level, with power play value and penalty kill utility. His blend of vision, compete, and skating gives him a strong foundation, and with added strength, he could become a dependable two-way contributor capable of driving offense through possession and tempo.
Draft Recommendation:
Mid 6th Round
Dach’s intelligence, pace, and complete game make him a strong developmental bet. Teams seeking a cerebral, responsible playmaking center who can drive offense without flash should consider investing in his long-term upside, particularly if he commits to a strong NCAA program where he can develop physically and build on his detailed habits.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images