MOOSE JAW -- With the amount of success Moose Jaw Minor Hockey product Atley Calvert had in his final season in the Western Hockey League, it seemed as if the jump to the pro ranks would be a smooth one.
As it turns out, that’s been exactly the case, as the former Moose Jaw Warriors standout has turned in a stellar season in his rookie campaign with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
Calvert, 21, was named a Mid-Season All-Star on Wednesday, one of three players from the Nailers to receive the honour.
After putting together the best-ever season by a Moose Jaw-born player as the Warriors won the 2024 WHL Championship, Calvert took little time to get going after officially joining the Penguins organization this past June, picking up points in his first three ECHL games.
The former Prairie Hockey Academy star scored his first professional goal on Nov. 2 against the Bloomington Bison. Calvert’s hottest stretch came in late November, where he had five goals and 10 points across six games, including his first pro hat trick on Nov. 23 against the Fort Wayne Komets.
Calvert also had four goals and 11 points in seven games to close out December.
All told, Calvert is leading Wheeling in scoring with 13 goals and 35 points in 35 games and is plus-13, good enough for a tie for 18th overall in ECHL scoring.
The solid start to his pro career had helped Wheeling put together a solid record in the Eastern Conference, with their 26-8-2-0 mark sitting a single point back of the Florida Everblades for first place.
Calvert entered the ECHL after putting up 47 goals and 95 points with the Warriors in the 2023-24 regular season before adding another eight goals and 20 points in 20 playoff games.
Be sure to keep an eye on www.echl.com for updates on Calvert’s progress all season long.
