Kaleb Pearson signs pro contract with AHL’s Texas Stars

Kaleb Pearson skates by the bench, celebrating a goal with the Idaho Steelheads of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Pearson played for the Steelheads after finishing his university career with the University of Prince Edward Island and recently signed an AHL contract with the Texas Stars, affiliates of the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

By Spencer Seymour

St. Marys native Kaleb Pearson has climbed to the professional hockey ranks after signing a contract with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL).

The team is the AHL affiliate for the NHL’s Dallas Stars, and Pearson detailed his excitement for his official entry into the Stars’ organization.

“It’s unreal,” Pearson told the Independent. “When I was a kid, I never thought that I would have this chance to play at this high level. I’m really proud of myself, but I’m just looking forward and now, I’ve got to make the team and try to progress and get the NHL.”

Pearson added he has had positive interactions with the Stars up to this point, a relationship that began last summer when Pearson attended the Stars’ prospect camp for the first time before returning for the camp again this year.

“It’s been pretty good so far,” Pearson said of his experience with the Stars. “I was at their camp a few weeks ago and every conversation I had with a higher-up guy was positive. They told me they can see me making the team this year as long as I just keep playing the way I can and working to get better. I’m coming in to try to take somebody’s job and secure a spot.”

Pearson has spent the last four years with the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Panthers, coached by Forbes MacPherson. In that time, Pearson became one of the program’s top stars, including winning team MVP each of the last two years. In 2024, Pearson was also a co-winner of the university’s Male Athlete of the Year award. Pearson ended his hockey career at UPEI with 15 goals and 31 points in 24 games this past season. In total, Pearson’s university sports career saw him score 46 goals and 89 points in 90 games.

Pearson admitted it was a strange feeling to finish his time at the university he spent four years at and grew to view as a home away from home.

“It was really weird, honestly. I never expected my time at UPEI to go so fast. I really see it as a second home. From the university to the city to the people, it’s awesome and I loved it. I can’t thank Forbes (MacPherson) and the whole program enough. What I’ll remember most, honestly, wouldn’t be anything on the ice. It was learning to live on my own and take care of the things I need to get done, school-wise and life-wise.”

After finishing his season with UPEI, minor professional hockey came calling as Pearson then got the opportunity to suit up for the East Coast Hockey League’s (ECHL) Idaho Steelheads. Pearson immediately became a key contributor with the Steelheads, posting 11 goals and 21 points in 21 games.

“I didn’t have a problem with the transition,” said Pearson. “It felt similar to what I was used to in terms of pace of play. It was cool to get back to playing in front of thousands of fans. I haven’t really played in front of crowds like that since I was in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League), so it was really cool to relive that and get treated like a professional again.”

According to Pearson, being able to play without too much pressure allowed him to thrive in Idaho and enjoy the new experience.

“I think I played well because I was confident and I did not have a reason to be worried about anything. I was just going out and playing and didn’t have much stress. We were obviously trying to make the playoffs and go for a playoff run, but we just didn’t make it. But for me, I didn’t have anything to worry about other than putting the puck in the net, which I love to do, so I could play a bit more freely and in control.

“Going around to the different cities and towns around the U.S. was really cool,” Pearson continued. “I’m not that big of a traveller, so I hadn’t been to some of the areas, and it was cool to see. I also learned a lot from our captain and assistant captains. We had two veterans in the league, A.J. (White) and Matt (Register), who played around 1,000 games in the league, so I was able to learn from them just watching them and what they bring to the table, how they prepare and how they come to the rink every day having fun.”

Looking ahead, Pearson described his high motivation to prove himself, not only with his new AHL squad, but hopefully, to those running the big club in Dallas.

“I think I need to have the puck on my stick and show them what I can do. I want to show them I can shoot and put the puck in the net, which is what I love to do most. I want to make them make a tough decision if (the Dallas Stars) are going to send me home, or if they are going to sign me, to make their life a little easier.”