This Penguins’ Forward Prospect Could Be the Next Big NHL Breakout – Are You Ready?

With the Pittsburgh Penguins gearing up to kick off a training camp that promises to outshine any in recent memory, the buzz is palpable—and one name is quietly carving out a spotlight for himself. Atley Calvert, a 21-year-old dynamo out of the Moose Jaw Warriors, signed a two-year AHL deal this summer, and honestly, he’s got people talking. This kid’s not just another hopeful; he’s a goal-scoring machine with intriguing playmaking chops that could easily catch fire at the NHL level. Having racked up an eye-popping 95 points last season and shown mettle in the playoffs, Calvert wasn’t even drafted, yet the Penguins saw gold where others might’ve skipped over him. Standing 6-foot-1 and pushing nearly 200 pounds, this center’s intelligence across all zones caught the eyes of the brass fast—whether lighting it up with the Wheeling Nailers or making waves in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. If you ask me, don’t blink when training camp rolls around—Calvert might be the dark horse who grabs the spotlight sooner than later. LEARN MORE

In less than a week, the Pittsburgh Penguins will begin a training camp that figures to be more competitive than any in recent memory. 

And there may be one prospect to keep a keen eye on.

Signed to a two-year AHL contract during the summer of 2024, forward Atley Calvert has generated some buzz. The 21-year-old – a product of the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL – has shown some flashes of a game that could translate to the NHL level, and he can put the puck in the back of the net.

After an excellent season with Moose Jaw in 2023-24 – when he registered 47 goals and 95 points in 68 games, in addition to eight goals and 20 points in 20 Calder Cup playoff games – the Penguins’ organization took a chance on Calvert, who was undrafted. They got a pretty good look at him, too, as he was the teammate of former Penguins’ prospect Brayden Yager.

And the 6-foot-1, 194-pound center didn’t take long to impress Penguins’ brass. In 38 ECHL games with the Wheeling Nailers in 2024-25, Calvert had 13 goals and 36 points, and in 26 AHL games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), he recorded nine goals and 14 points.

Calvert may be somewhat known for his ability to score goals so far in his professional career, but he was heralded as more of a deceptive, playmaking forward prior to signing with the Penguins. He’s an intelligent player in all three zones, which fits the mold of many of the young prospects Pittsburgh has added to their system recently.

Calvert has a goal so far at this year’s Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York, and there may be many more in store this season for the young forward. Don’t count him out as a potential standout in training camp this year.

Four Penguins Prospects To Watch At The 2025 Prospects Challenge
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