PITTSBURGH — The Penguins have invited former Thunderhawks goaltender Carter Casey to the NHL’s inaugural prospect tournament this week, his second time being summoned to Pittsburgh in the past 10 weeks. This new NHL showcase is being held Sept. 12-15 at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center in Detroit, and most NHL training camps will officially begin within a few days after.

Earlier this summer, Casey was invited to Pittsburgh’s prospect development camp as a free agent after going undrafted in June, and the Penguins appear intrigued by the local Grand Rapids Area Hockey product.

Pittsburgh is one of four teams participating in the prospect tournament, along with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings. According to the roster announcement, each team plays three games total, starting with the Penguins against the Blue Jackets, Sept. 12 at 3 p.m. and finishing the tournament against the Stars on the 15th at 10:30 a.m.

“After not getting drafted this summer I was fortunate enough to get an invite,” Casey said after arriving in Pittsburgh earlier this week. On Friday he’ll travel to Detroit and stay with the organization until they’re ready for him to return to Medicine Hat.

Pittsburgh’s roster will consist of 27 players, including multiple first-round NHL Draft picks and players with experience at both the AHL and ECHL levels. 

The 18-year-old will share the experience with two of his Medicine Hat teammates and Penguins draft picks: twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck. The pair were the top two scorers in the WHL last year and did not stay on the draft board long last June. Liam was drafted 22nd overall by the Penguins in this year’s draft, and Markus was drafted by the Penguins 39th overall in the next round. It’s a unique opportunity for this trio to gain NHL-level exposure, along with reps against advanced-level talent. 

“Not everyone gets to play these three games,” he said. “We’re the youngest guys here. Players at this level are bigger, faster, stronger – their game is more mature and more experienced on the ice, but it’s fun to play with them.”

With two weeks before NHL Training Camp begins, Casey and his Tiger teammates have the opportunity to leave a strong impression with the Penguins organization, prior to NHL training camp, and when they’re scheduled to return to the WHL this fall. In Medicine Hat, he’s in line to be the starting goaltender in 2026-27. Beyond that, Casey is committed to the University of Minnesota Gophers for the 2027-28 season, while the Rucks are committed to the University of North Dakota.

Casey won 20 games across two seasons in net for Grand Rapids, and his journey since last playing for the Thunderhawks in the 2025 Section 7AA Semifinal has been high-speed. Yet Casey has kept pace and is as cool entering a high-pressure NHL environment as he is in net. He’s taking things day-by-day as he navigates a chaotic end of summer and fast start to the hockey season. But this is what he’s here for.

“Being undrafted, I want to prove myself, prove they made a mistake,” Casey said. “Expect the unexpected. Nothing’s ever for sure in the hockey world.”

The athletic, 6-foot-2 goaltender went 19-3-4 with a 3.02 GAA and .882 SV% with Medicine Hat in 2025-26, along with two shutouts and three playoff wins. 

According to the NHL, “drafted prospects, free-agent signings and players on tryouts, the tournaments and training camp that follows represent an opportunity to make a strong impression. Their performances will help determine who earns an NHL roster spot later this month.”