David Drake brings shutdown defense and ECHL grit to the Ghost Pirates, offering a battle-tested voice to anchor the back end and mentor a developing young roster.
The Savannah Ghost Pirates have added not only a veteran presence to the blue line, but also experience, reliability, and leadership
David Drake has spent the majority of his career in the North and Central Divisions with the Reading Royals, Wheeling Nailers, and the Norfolk Admirals. Drake comes to Savannah as a dependable stay-at-home defenseman. He played 242 games with the Wheeling Nailers and recorded 60 points.
Drake's value has been measured in the details. He wins battles along the boards, he clears in front of the net, kills penalties, and is a calm presence in key moments for any team he has played on. Those traits make him an important player wherever he has played. Drake was drafted 192nd overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has played in AHL games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Providence Bruins, and Rochester Americans.
After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Drake signed his first professional contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2018. Over the following seasons, he split time between the AHL and ECHL. He dressed in 14 AHL games for Lehigh Valley, Providence, and Rochester, primarily playing in the ECHL.
Most of Drake's professional career came with the Reading Royals, Wheeling Nailers, and Norfolk Admirals. After being traded to Wheeling during the 2021-22 season, he became one of the club's most consistent defensemen, skating in 242 games over four seasons. His best season came in 2023-2024 when he posted a career high of 18 assists, 20 points, and a +18 rating. During his time with Wheeling, he recorded 60 points with six goals and 54 assists, while finishing +37 and serving as a reliable defensive presence.
Bringing the veteran to Savannah is more than adding another defenseman. It's about bringing that veteran voice to help guide a young roster. He has played in 435 regular-season games in the ECHL and 25 postseason games. This signing will give the younger players someone to lean on while providing identity to Savannah's defense.
As the Ghost Pirates continue to build their roster, Drake is the type of player who isn't flashy but provides that steady aura on the back end. Flashier players grab headlines, but it is the older and more experienced players who log the difficult minutes that are often the foundation of a team that is successful.
Savannah will have the capability of making an impact every night if Drake brings that same consistency he has through the entirety of his career.
