Pro hockey player Thomas Gale from Holy Cross, in his first professional appearance, joins the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and celebrates success.
Thomas Gale, the undrafted goalkeeper from the Holy Cross Crusaders, has made a strong start to his professional hockey career with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL. After signing with the team in late July 2025, Gale, wearing the number 33, has quickly established himself on the Nailers' roster.
Gale made his professional debut on March 30 against the Bloomington Bison, backing up starter Taylor Gauthier. Despite the pressure, Gale demonstrated his skills in his first two starts, maintaining an impressive .899 save percentage with 62 saves on 69 shot attempts.
In his first pro start, Gale achieved a remarkable .941 save percentage, recording 32 saves on 34 shot attempts, resulting in a 3-2 win. His performance against the Royals, in particular, showcased his ability to get to spots on the ice to make saves that are not expected, including a notable backbending play on a shot from the Royals' defenseman Sam Sedley.
However, Gale will not be making the trip with the Nailers on their final regular season series trip to Trois Rivières, Quebec due to certain stipulations within the contract he signed. He plans to rejoin his teammates prior to the start of the Kelly Cup playoffs.
Gale's future beyond the season remains uncertain, as he has already discussed his next steps with his advisors from Pinnacle Hockey Management based in Ontario, Canada. Despite this, his solid performance in the tryout earned him an extension of the amateur tryout (ATO) from the Wheeling Nailers, an ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
Upon arrival in Wheeling, Gale was greeted by a member of the Nailers' booster club and driven to the Boury Loft apartments, where the Nailers house their players. Gale booked his flight to Pittsburgh, an hour outside of Wheeling, after speaking with his professors about his coursework.
Thomas Gale's journey from the Holy Cross Crusaders to the Wheeling Nailers has been a successful one, and his impressive debut in the ECHL is a testament to his skills and determination. As the Kelly Cup playoffs approach, fans are eager to see how Gale will continue to perform and contribute to the Nailers' success.
Gale's impressive debut in the ECHL, while playing for the Wheeling Nailers, has captivated both team officials and fans alike. The artsy faculty at Holy Cross, Gale's alma mater, are proud of his sports achievements, with some even planning to feature him in campus events. Despite his current athletic journey, Gale intends to continue his education, balancing his sports commitments with his coursework at Pittsburgh, a location conveniently situated an hour outside of Wheeling. If Gale's stellar performance in the ECHL continues, he may catch the eye of faculty members in the sports department at Pittsburgh, where he could potentially pursue a career in the realm of athletics.
