Development camp: Yoder hopes to take advantage of fifth college season

CRANBERRY, Pa. -- When COVID-19 impacted the NCAA's 2020-21 winter sports season, the organization made a ruling to help its affected athletes: Those who competed in a Division I sports in 2020-21 would be granted an extra fifth year of eligibility if they desire to take it.

Penguins center prospect Chase Yoder was a freshman at Providence College in 2020-21, fresh off hearing his name called by the Penguins in the sixth round of the draft the summer before. Providence did manage to play that season, albeit a shortened schedule of 25 games. Regardless, just being on the team in 2020-21 granted Yoder that extra fifth year in the future.

Yoder, 22, recently wrapped up his senior season at Providence College, where he served as captain. And while he'd be able to turn pro next season -- whether that be from a contract offer from the Penguins, or hitting free agency if he didn't get that offer -- he's going back to Providence for a fifth season.

"It's nice having one more year of college just to get another developmental year," Yoder told me last month at the Penguins' development camp at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, where he was one of three team captains along with Tristan Broz and Owen Pickering. "Then I'll hopefully sign a contract next year."

Yoder, who is listed at 5 foot 11 and 188 pounds, is coming off of a strong season. He set career highs with 11 goals and nine assists in 35 games, with his 11 goals leading the team and his 20 points ranking third.

Yoder also had a solid year in the faceoff circle, winning 56.3% of draws. That's up from 54.5% as a junior, 53.1% as a sophomore and 51.1% as a freshman. It's always been a strength of his, but he's been progressively getting better at that, too.

"I've just tried to get better every year," Yoder said of his season. "I don't pay too much attention to points, but obviously it's nice to see a couple go in and build that confidence."

Yeah, Yoder's a forward, and that production is nice. But when he says he's not paying attention to his points, it's because that's not really his role. He's more of a defensive forward, and has been since the Penguins drafted him. At the time, then-Penguins amateur scouting director Patrik Allvin called Yoder a "character player," and compared him to Teddy Blueger as a "hard-working, two-way, energy player." Last season, director of player development Tom Kostopoulos raved about what Yoder brings defensively.

"Defensively, you can put him out there in any situation," Kostopoulos said. "He's so trustworthy. He's always on the defensive side of the puck, penalty-killing, faceoffs."

When Kostopoulos gave Yoder that praise in last summer's development camp, he followed it up by adding that he "next step" for Yoder would be adding more offense without "cheating defensively." Yoder was coming off of a junior season in which he scored eight goals and seven assists in 37 games. Yoder did take some moderate steps forward when it comes to the production, but he said he felt as if the biggest steps he took last season just involved his confidence with the puck.

"I think that's a big thing," he said of that confidence. "Obviously, confidence is big for any player, but I think just confidence with the puck has really allowed me grow as a player."

JOE ZAK / PENGUINS

Chase Yoder at the Penguins' development camp last month in Cranberry, Pa.

I asked Yoder what the message has been from the team when it comes to what he needs to do in this fifth college season in order to earn a contract next spring.

"I think just continue to produce offensively and keep playing my 200-foot game," he told me. "And then I think a contract will be there at the end of next year."

Kostopoulos is generally the member of management who communicates with Yoder directly throughout the year, checking in with him and providing feedback on what he could stand to improve. And he really, really likes the guy.

"Yoder, his coaches absolutely love him," Kostopoulos said. "He's a leader on and off the ice. He's a great kid. He was leading the way (at development camp). So he'll go back to Providence and wear a letter there. We expect him to have a big year and compete for a contract. Everyone that knows him is rooting for him to have a big year because of the kid he is. So his play will dictate that."

Outside of goaltending, if there's one area of the Penguins' skater prospect pool that's on the deeper side it's forwards who project to be bottom-six-type players. So, for the Penguins to use a contract spot on Yoder in the spring, he'll really have to prove himself. His defensive and faceoff abilities have always been strong, but it'll likely be that offensive production that will determine whether Yoder does or doesn't get offered an entry-level contract next season.

JOE ZAK / PENGUINS

Chase Yoder at the Penguins' development camp last month in Cranberry, Pa.