Checking in with the Kids of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

The grind of a professional hockey season is a test in patience, adaptability, and growth — especially for players still carving out their roles in the league. For young talents like Chase Pietila, Atley Calvert, and Gabe Klassen, the midway point of the season offers a chance to reflect on their development, the lessons learned, and how they’ve adjusted to the speed, skill, and physicality of pro hockey. Each has approached the challenges differently, but all share a common goal: improving consistently while contributing to their team’s success.

Chase Pietila:

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Midway through his rookie campaign, Chase Pietila is embracing both the challenge and the opportunity that come with playing in one of the toughest developmental leagues in hockey. The young defenseman pointed to the jump in overall talent as the biggest adjustment. “I think just the skill level of the league. I mean, it’s unbelievable. There are a lot of great hockey players,” Pietila said. “I think just the high skill, the high speed, and just all that combined is what makes this league difficult to play in. But it's a good developmental league, because you can learn a lot, and it's just one step down from the NHL, and there's a lot of great players, so that's what makes it a challenge.” That challenge has only intensified when measuring himself against talent within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. “Just playing against everyone that's in the Pittsburgh organization — you got a lot of great talent — and just being able to go up there and battle with them and learn from all the coaching staff and all the players, I feel like that's a great way to learn and kind of just develop and get ready for playing pro hockey,” he said.

Pietila describes himself as a detail-driven, competitive presence on the blue line. “I would say I'm a two-way defenseman. I like to play hard and try to agitate players and just add offense when I can. Just play defense first and then kind of play from the net out.” What has stood out most, though, is how much he’s leaned on veteran experience. “It's been amazing. I mean, there's been a lot of great players that I've been paired with, and even just when they've been down here on the team, I feel like I just try to pick their brains and learn everything I can. They have so much experience, they're all great players, and they have so much knowledge that they're able to share, and I just kind of try to soak it all in like a sponge.” For Pietila, the focus isn’t on rushing the process — it’s on mastering it. “I just wanted to try to do my best here and just learn everything I can about being a pro,” he said. “I think that comes with time, learning, and making mistakes, and kind of just growing as a player and a person. I think just being able to develop all my all-around skills — defending and offense and stuff — and just becoming a more well-rounded player and being more consistent.”

Atley Calvert:

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

At the midway mark of his second pro season, Atley Calvert has embraced the unpredictability that comes with being a versatile piece in the lineup. “I think playing with a lot of new players every day. I’m kind of the guy to get moved up and down the lineup, which I enjoy. And just trying to make chemistry with new guys — a lot of guys come in and out — so that's probably been the toughest part.”

Despite the constant adjustments, Calvert credits the coaching staff for providing clarity and confidence. “I think it's been awesome. I think they've done a great job ever since I came up last year, just making me feel comfortable. Being really clear with what they want out of me, and putting me in a position to succeed. So I can't thank them enough.” He’s also noticed a shift in the team’s overall identity compared to last season. “I think we're just a lot more aggressive than we were last year. I think there were times last year where we would sit back a little bit, especially at the end of the year, but this year we're all about being on top of the other team and making them make plays under pressure.” That mindset was on full display in a memorable comeback win over the Bridgeport Islanders. “The home game we had against Bridgeport, where we were down — at least two, maybe three goals — going into the third, and the building was packed. We came back and ended up winning that game. I think we scored with 2.5 minutes left. That was a really cool moment for our group.”

For Calvert, perspective has been just as important as production. “I think just not taking any day for granted. I mean, we get to come in and hang out with your best friends every day and play the game you love. So, really, there are no bad days.” As for his personal focus the rest of the way, it’s simple: “I think just being really, really reliable and flexible wherever they need to put me in the lineup, up or down. I'll be ready. So, whatever they ask out of me.” 


Gabe Klassen

Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

At the midway point of his second pro season, Gabe Klassen feels his game trending in the right direction after navigating an early adjustment period. “I think I've been playing pretty well. I think maybe it was a bit of a slow start to the year, but just sticking to the process and trusting my game and my abilities has obviously led to some success lately. So I think just sticking to it and keeping going.” That patience has been a theme throughout his climb. “The ability to stick with things has kind of been something that I've had to do through my whole career,” he explained. “Whether it's making a step to every single level — even last year in pro, it was kind of a slow start — just having the ability to trust in my ability and keep plugging away until things start to sort themselves out.”

Chemistry has also come with repetition. “I think I've been able to play with a lot of different guys this year and developed chemistry through practice and just playing more often and more regularly,” Klassen said. “The more we can kind of stick with certain lines or play with more guys, that's going to help that.” In tight games, he welcomes the spotlight. “That's kind of the situation you want to be in — if it's a tight game or a big moment, that's when you want to play your best. I think that's what we take pride in.” The adjustment to the pro level — including time in Wheeling — reinforced that mindset. “Playing against bigger, stronger players definitely helped me realize it’s going to be a bigger, harder game,” he said. “It helped me understand that I sometimes need to change the way I play or just bear down in certain moments. That’s helped me have some success so far this year.”

As the season moves into its second half, the focus for Pietila, Calvert, and Klassen remains simple but vital: stay consistent, trust the process, and embrace every opportunity to grow as players and teammates. From developing chemistry on new lines, to leaning on veteran guidance, to adjusting to the demands of professional play, each has shown that progress comes not just from skill, but from resilience, adaptability, and commitment. For these young pros, the lessons learned now will shape not only the rest of this season but the trajectory of their careers.

- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network

- Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins