Caleb Hadland commits to RPI
The Brandon Wheat Kings captain will add more skill to the forward group
Back in early February, RPI picked up another commitment from the WHL. This time it was Brandon Wheat Kings captain Caleb Hadland. Hadland is an ‘06 wing listed at 5’10” and 190 LBs. He finished the regular season with 15 goals, 29 assists and 44 points in 56 games after missing some time due to injury. He has played for Brandon all 4 years of his WHL career and totaled 227 games for them. Hadland was the 8th ranked ‘06 player in the entire WHL per Neutral Zone and is a big time get for RPI.
Hadland is a very smart and skilled forward. Neutral Zone describes him as having “high end hockey sense” and “the intelligence to play at the NHL level.” He consistently makes subtle plays, and he has impressive details, playing the game the “right way.” His competitiveness is noteworthy with those details and intelligence. EliteProspects said, “If there’s a battle on the ice, chances are Hadland is involved – and winning. He uses his small stature to get low, dig underneath opponents, and slide in front. That core skill makes a threat when driving the net with the puck or battling for space without it. The opponents he can’t outwork, he outthinks.” Neutral Zone noted that he “consistently wins one on one confrontations through sheer determination before finding teammates quickly to extend zone time.”
Hadland is also a very skilled player with creativity in the offensive zone. He has the stick skill to make plays with the puck and transport it through the neutral zone. He “packs a punch with his shot. He gets every pound of his frame behind his shot like he is trying to break the netting.” Based on his pedigree, it’s no wonder that Hadland has the skill, intelligence and competitiveness combo that coaches covet. Hadland was a first round pick in the WHL draft back in 2021, and he played for the New Jersey Devils in the annual prospects challenge last fall.
Hadland will enroll at RPI this fall where he will make an immediate impact. He will likely slot somewhere in the middle 6, and he has the versatility to play either wing. I expect he is going to be an outstanding Engineer over the course of his career here with his character, leadership, competitiveness, and skill. I can’t wait to see him suit up in October! Congratulations to Caleb and his family!