Austin Caley establishes his position in traffic, keeping the puck in front of him in a game for the Brookville Braves of the CCHL last season.
Former Dallas Stars’ Elite goalie Caley will contend for DI men’s hockey starting spot as a freshman
5/8/2026 10:40:00 PM | Men's D1 Hockey
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Liberty’s fourth recruit will create healthy competition for an open position in net.
After shining brightly in the final scrimmage at last month's Liberty University Men's Hockey Select Prospect Camp at the LaHaye Ice Center, Austin Caley, a goalie from north of Dallas, received an offer from the Flames ACHA Division I men's hockey team to become the fourth commitment in its 2026-27 recruiting class.
He posted a shutout in the last game at the Prospect Camp, solidifying his status high on the recruiting list along with former Drury (Mo.) University goalie Jozef "Joe" Kuchaslo, who committed to transfer to Liberty for his junior season.
Caley
"They had a pretty good idea that they wanted to take me, but that game certainly helped make a pretty good statement," said Caley, 20, who started playing goalie at the age of 6 after learning how to skate at 4 years old. "I Iove the game, especially right now, and I am really looking forward to getting to work when I get back to Liberty."
A diminutive goalie standing 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, Caley played in the Dallas Stars Elite system from ages 13-18. He then spent a split season in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL) in 2024-25 with the Truro Bearcats and Edmundston Blizzard. This past season, he played for the Brockville Braves of the Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL).
"It was definitely different from Texas, a bit of a culture shock, but I had a great time in all the places that I got to play (in Canada)," Caley said. "I don't think I've ever learned so much about myself, and it helped me grow as a person being out of the house."
He finished 8-3 with a 2.18 goals-against average, 93.6 save percentage, and one shutout with the Bearcats before going 10-0 with a 1.79 GAA, 92.1 SP, and two shutouts with the Blizzard. In 31 starts with the Braves, Caley posted a 13-9-1 record with a 2.78 GAA, 91.8 SP, and three shutouts.
"I believe in Austin," Flames Head Coach Kirk Handy said. "From the moment he came to camp, you could tell he is a great Liberty fit. He wants to be here, and he wants to compete for an opportunity in goal. I think he's going to come in and battle. We'll have three goalies next year, and it's great. We're going to have hungry guys in there next year, and it's going to really benefit our program."
Caley is looking forward to earning his future starts between the pipes each day in practice.
"I'm very excited," he said. "I got to know Joe very well, and we get along on and off the ice. He's a fantastic goalie. It will be a very friendly competition, and I think we will really push each other to get better."
"Both of us have our work cut out for us," Caley added. "I've always had to work for my ice time, and that'll be no different here. I'm really excited to get up there and get to work."
His off-ice workouts include medicine ball exercises and juggling to keep his reaction skills sharp. He also spends a lot of time analyzing NHL goalies playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Growing up, he was a big fan of the Dallas Stars' Carlo Letman as well as Marc Andre Fleury, who led the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup trophy in their first season. He also admires the style of play of Calgary Flames' goalie Dustin Wolf, who is also on the smaller side at 165 pounds.
Caley grew up playing with the same goalie coach — former AHL goalie Billy Pye — from the time he was 6 throughout his career with the Dallas Stars Elite teams and still takes lessons from him over the summer. He also trained under Karson Kaebel, father of Flames freshman defenseman Jentzen Kaebel, who was his teammate with the Stars' U18 elite squad.
Caley gets set to save a shootout attempt at the end of the last scrimmage at the Select Prospect Camp.
"Karson is definitely not the easiest coach to play for, but he is a super nice guy and a faithful guy," Caley said. "He coached me when I was 12, and I never thought anything would come of that, but he was the one who originally reached out to me saying Liberty needed a goalie. As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew that's where I wanted to be. I tried to treat everyone with kindness and respect, and it paid off, and I am very thankful to Carson for giving me the opportunity."
He considers himself a bit of a perfectionist on the ice and looks to establish command around his cage by paying attention to the details and playing with a divine purpose.
"For most games, I go out there and do it for God, and I want to make Him proud," Caley said. "On a nightly basis, He keeps me cool and calm under pressure. I couldn't do what I do without Him in my net."
He sees the same fire for the Lord in the faces of his future teammates at Liberty.
"I can tell that they're living their lives for God, and I'm excited to be around that kind of community," Caley said. "Everyone I've met has been super nice and welcoming. I love the group of guys and really believe in the team that we have."
At Liberty, Caley plans to pursue a B.S. in Sport Management and potentially a minor in sales or business before eventually following the lead of his father, who does digital marketing and sells advertising for professional sports programs.
Caley gets in the butterfly position as he makes a save of a breakaway opportunity.
"He's a master at what he does, and he has definitely taught me how to be a man," Caley said. "A lot of traits that I carry are also traits that he carries."
That includes his strong faith and walk with Christ.
"I grew up in a Christian household, and as a kid, my parents were bringing me to church," Caley said. "I started my own walk when I was 17 or 18 because I knew I needed to take it on myself, and I have never felt closer to him."
His participation in the Select Prospect Camp that coincided with College For A Weekend (CFAW), and an inspiring Convocation message and challenging altar call by Atlanta pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell affirmed that Liberty was where he needed to be.
"I was looking for somewhere to continue to grow in my faith and what I felt when I came back from Liberty was like coming back from church camp," Caley said.
He hopes to help build the team culture and become a leader in the locker room and on the ice for the Flames over the next four years.
He is an encourager who desires to edify his teammates and bring out their best.
"Off the ice, I am a very easy-going guy, very levelheaded, a very positive person," Caley said. "On and off the ice, I continue to bring positive energy to everyone."
"I think can be a leader if the team needs me to be," he added. "I've been told my whole life some teams play better in front of me. I like to think it is because they trust me, and I just keep the team calm with my presence back there."
By Ted Allen/Staff WriterAfter getting into the split position with his leg pads, Caley uses his blocker to fend off a point-blank shot out of harm's way.
