Aidan Hesse is taking the next step in his hockey career after signing with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.
The St. Paul, Minnesota native spent the past two seasons developing with Sioux Falls Power, progressing from the 15U AAA level to the 16U AAA team before earning an opportunity with Calgary.
Hesse’s progression through the Power program is another example of the pathway from youth hockey to major junior hockey.
Hesse joined Sioux Falls Power during the 2023–24 season, competing with the 15U AAA team.
In 28 regular-season games that season, he posted a .912 save percentage and 3.87 goals-against average, while also recording three shutouts.
Hesse returned to Sioux Falls for the 2024–25 season and continued his development with the 16U AAA team.
His numbers improved significantly. In 24 regular-season starts, Hesse recorded a 3.83 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, helping establish himself as one of the team’s key players in net.
Hesse’s development with Power helped put him on the radar of the Calgary Hitmen.
Calgary signed the 2008-born goaltender to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement on August 18, 2025.
Hitmen Assistant General Manager Cass Bruni praised Hesse’s maturity, work ethic, and professional approach, noting that the organization sees potential for him to become an impact goaltender in the WHL.
Hesse arrived in Calgary after an impressive summer representing the United States.
He was part of Team USA’s gold-medal-winning roster at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, giving him valuable international experience against some of the top players in his age group.
The experience added another important milestone to a summer that included his move from Sioux Falls Power to the WHL.
Hesse made the transition to major junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen during the 2025–26 season.
As a rookie, he appeared in 30 WHL games and recorded an 11-6-3 record, a 3.57 goals-against average, and a .867 save percentage.
His first season in Calgary also brought additional recognition. Hesse was listed by NHL Central Scouting among the players to watch for the 2026 NHL Draft, receiving a sixth- or seventh-round projection.
Aidan Hesse’s journey from Sioux Falls Power to the WHL is another example of the development opportunities within the Power program.
Over two seasons, Hesse progressed from 15U to 16U, improved his performance in net, and earned opportunities to compete at increasingly higher levels.
Now with the Calgary Hitmen and continuing to gain experience on the international stage with Team USA, Hesse is building the next chapter of his hockey career.
Sioux Falls Power congratulates Aidan Hesse on signing with the Calgary Hitmen and looks forward to following his continued development in the WHL.
https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/signed-hitmen-sign-goaltender-aidan-hesse/
