Caleb Heil, an incoming freshman goaltender at the University of North Dakota, has been named the 2025-26 Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year by USA Hockey. This accolade recognizes Heil as one of the top goaltenders, following a stellar season with the Madison Capitols in the USHL and the U.S. National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He becomes the second player from UND to receive this honor, enhancing his impressive record from this past season.

By the Numbers
  • 2.34 goals-against average - ranked third in the USHL.
  • .905 save percentage across 41 regular-season games.
  • 24 wins and 3 shutouts in the regular season.
  • 7-4-0 record with a .944 save percentage in the postseason.
Yes, But

Despite his outstanding performance, some critics may argue that Heil's success is tied to the overall strength of his team rather than solely his skill level as a goaltender.

State of Play
  • Heil will be honored at USA Hockey's President's Awards Dinner on June 5.
  • Heil was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
What's Next

Heil is set to join the North Dakota hockey team for the 2026-27 season, where he will aim to maintain his high performance and potentially make an impact in collegiate hockey.

Bottom Line

Caleb Heil's recognition as the Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year highlights his potential as a future star in hockey, setting high expectations for his upcoming collegiate career.