Former Sioux Falls Power goaltender Caleb Heil reached another major milestone in his hockey career when the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him 193rd overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
For Heil, the selection represents another step in a development journey that began in Minnesota and included two important seasons with Sioux Falls Power before continuing through junior hockey, international competition and the NHL Draft.
From Sioux Falls Power to the NHL Draft
A native of Victoria, Minnesota, Heil spent two seasons with Sioux Falls Power before moving on to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League.
During his time with the Power, Heil continued to develop his game as a goaltender and earned opportunities to compete at increasingly higher levels.
His progression eventually led him to the Stampede, where he played 28 games and continued gaining valuable USHL experience. The Stampede also noted that Heil represented the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2023–24 season and earned a silver medal at the 2024 U-18 World Junior Championship.
USHL Season
Heil continued his development with the Madison Capitols during the 2024–25 USHL season.
In 39 regular-season games, the 6-foot-2 goaltender posted a 25-10-4 record, a .896 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against average, along with two shutouts. He also appeared in six playoff games.
His performance helped put him firmly on the NHL Draft radar.
Tampa Bay Calls His Name
On June 28, 2025, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Heil with the 193rd overall pick in the seventh round of the NHL Draft.
Heil was the Lightning’s first selection of the seventh round and one of four players selected by Tampa Bay in the final round of the draft. The organization identified him as a 19-year-old goaltender coming off his strong season with Madison.
The selection also continued a notable tradition for Tampa Bay, an organization that has found NHL talent in the later rounds of the draft.
For Heil, hearing his name called represented the culmination of years of development and another opportunity to continue pursuing his goal of playing professional hockey.
The Next Step
Heil is committed to the University of North Dakota, where he is scheduled to continue his college hockey career beginning with the 2026–27 season.
His development has already taken him through several important stages of the hockey pathway:
Sioux Falls Power → Sioux Falls Stampede → Team USA → Madison Capitols → Tampa Bay Lightning
Each stop has provided a new challenge and another opportunity to grow.
A Journey That Started in Sioux Falls
For Sioux Falls Power, Heil’s NHL Draft selection is another example of the development pathway the program strives to provide its players.
His journey demonstrates that development does not happen overnight. It is built through years of practice, competition, coaching and the willingness to continue taking the next step.
From his two seasons with Sioux Falls Power to junior hockey, international competition and ultimately being selected by an NHL organization, Heil has continued to move forward.
Congratulations to Caleb Heil on being selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2025 NHL Draft. Sioux Falls Power is proud to have been part of his journey and looks forward to following his continued development.
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