Penguins Prospect Brady Peddle Ready for Next Chapter at Michigan State
Pittsburgh Penguins defense prospect Brady Peddle is set to begin a new stage of his development this fall as he joins Michigan State for his freshman NCAA season.
After spending the 2024-25 campaign in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and following it with a season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the 19-year-old believes those experiences have prepared him well for the challenge of Big Ten hockey.
Selected by the Penguins in the third round (No. 91 overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, Peddle said he expects the college game to demand another jump in speed and physicality.
“I think everything gets a little faster and a little stronger,” Peddle said during Pittsburgh’s recent development camp in Cranberry. “The USHL is really physical, while the QMJHL has more skill, so I think I got the best of both worlds. Hopefully that translates well at Michigan State.”
Building His Game Through Junior Hockey
The Antigonish, Nova Scotia, native spent one season with the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL, recording three goals and seven assists across 62 games. After making the move to the Charlottetown Islanders, Peddle improved offensively, posting three goals and 16 assists in 62 contests.
Peddle believes his transition between leagues went smoothly and that his season in Waterloo helped him adapt quickly to the QMJHL.
“I thought everything carried over really well,” he said. “The leagues are similar, but there’s definitely more skill in the QMJHL. My year in Waterloo prepared me well.”
Defensive Foundation With Offensive Upside
At 6-foot-3 and shooting left-handed, Peddle has built his reputation as a stay-at-home defenseman, using his size and defensive instincts to shut down opposing forwards.
Still, he flashed some offensive ability during Penguins development camp, scoring on a breakaway during the team’s three-on-three tournament.
Penguins director of player development Tom Kostopoulos was encouraged by Peddle’s growth over the past year, particularly in his defensive game.
Kostopoulos praised Peddle’s ability to close gaps, improve his stick positioning, and play with greater physicality, while also noting significant progress with the puck. He added that Peddle looked confident throughout development camp and showed leadership on the ice, highlighted by his breakaway goal and overall performance.
Valuable Experience at the Pro Level
Before heading to college, Peddle also gained a firsthand look at professional hockey by signing an amateur tryout agreement with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in April.
Although he did not appear in any games during the regular season or Calder Cup Playoffs, the opportunity allowed him to practice alongside professional players and observe the habits required to compete at the next level.
“It was unreal to see what those guys do every day,” Peddle said. “They’re professionals for a reason. The way they prepare, take care of their bodies, and the pace they play with—it was a great learning experience.”
Focused on Continued Development
Peddle is expected to spend multiple seasons developing at Michigan State before making the jump to professional hockey and signing an entry-level contract with Pittsburgh. When that time comes, the organization will determine whether his next step is in the AHL or ECHL.
For now, his attention is on making a successful transition to the NCAA while continuing to round out his game.
Peddle believes his biggest strengths are his physical play, defensive reliability, and ability to move the puck efficiently in transition. As he prepares for his freshman season with the Spartans, he hopes to continue expanding his offensive game and become a more complete defenseman.
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