Tyler Kennedy
Tyler Kennedy (born July 15, 1986) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey player who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a centre and right winger, most notably with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he contributed to their 2009 Stanley Cup championship.[1][2][3] Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Kennedy was selected by the Penguins in the fourth round, 99th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft after a standout junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).[1][2] He debuted in the NHL during the 2007–08 season, appearing in 55 games for Pittsburgh and recording 19 points while splitting time with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.[4] In the 2008–09 playoffs, Kennedy played a supporting role in Pittsburgh's run to the Stanley Cup, appearing in 24 games and tallying 9 points as the Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games.[2][3] Over his NHL career, Kennedy amassed 527 regular-season games, scoring 89 goals and 126 assists for 215 points, along with 239 penalty minutes; in the playoffs, he appeared in 79 games, contributing 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points.[1][3] After six seasons with Pittsburgh, where his best statistical year came in 2010–11 with 45 points, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2013 and later played briefly for the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils before retiring following the 2015–16 season.[2][4] Post-retirement, Kennedy has focused on youth hockey development, founding the Tyler Kennedy Hockey program in Pittsburgh, which offers skills training in skating, shooting, puck control, and game IQ through high-energy drills and private lessons.[5] As of 2025, he serves as Director of Hockey Operations at Sewickley Academy, enhancing their high school hockey program with his NHL experience.[6]Playing career
Junior career
Tyler Kennedy was born on July 15, 1986, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, a community renowned for its strong hockey culture and home to the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.[7] Growing up in this hockey-centric region, Kennedy developed his skills locally before entering major junior hockey.[8] Kennedy began his OHL career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2002–03 season, appearing in 61 games and recording 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points.[3] He showed steady progression over the next three seasons with the Greyhounds: in 2003–04, he played 63 games, scoring 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points; in 2004–05, he tallied 21 goals and 36 assists for 57 points in 61 games; and in 2005–06, as team captain, he led the team with 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points in 64 games.[3] His development highlighted his growing offensive contributions and leadership role within the organization.[9] In the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Kennedy was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round, 99th overall.[10] Scouting reports praised his speed, tenacity on the forecheck, and feisty play in high-traffic areas, projecting him as a potential middle-six forward with energy and scoring bursts.[11] He ranked 84th among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final rankings for that draft class.[12] Following his junior career, Kennedy signed a multi-year entry-level contract with the Penguins on May 19, 2006.[8] He transitioned to professional hockey in the 2006–07 season with the Penguins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he recorded 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points in 40 games.[2]Pittsburgh Penguins
Kennedy was called up from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2007–08 season and made his NHL debut on October 27, 2007, against the Montreal Canadiens.[13] He scored his first NHL goal on November 3, 2007, against New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro.[13] In 55 games with Pittsburgh that season, Kennedy recorded 10 goals and 9 assists for 19 points, along with a +2 plus-minus rating and 35 penalty minutes.[4] During the 2008–09 regular season, Kennedy established himself as a regular in the Penguins' lineup, appearing in 67 games and contributing 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points, with a +15 plus-minus rating.[4] He played a significant role in Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup-winning playoff run, skating in all 24 games and tallying 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points.[14] In the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, Kennedy scored in Game 4 and netted the game-winning goal in Game 6 to force a decisive seventh game, helping the Penguins clinch the championship in Game 7.[15] Kennedy's production rose in the 2009–10 season, where he posted 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points in 64 games, maintaining a +10 plus-minus.[4] He reached a career high in the 2010–11 campaign, recording 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in 80 games, with a +1 plus-minus rating.[4] The following year, 2011–12, Kennedy dealt with concussion-like symptoms early in the season, limiting him to 60 games, though he still managed 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points and a +10 plus-minus.[16][4] In the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Kennedy appeared in 46 games for Pittsburgh, registering 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points and a -6 plus-minus.[4] His tenure with the Penguins concluded after the 2012–13 season when he was traded to the San Jose Sharks on June 30, 2013, in exchange for a second-round draft pick.[17] Over six seasons with Pittsburgh, Kennedy played 372 regular-season games, accumulating 76 goals and 92 assists for 168 points.[3] He was a key energy forward and depth contributor during the team's 2009 Stanley Cup victory and subsequent playoff appearances.[4]San Jose Sharks
On June 30, 2013, the San Jose Sharks acquired forward Tyler Kennedy from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.[18] Four days later, on July 5, Kennedy signed a two-year contract with the Sharks worth $4.7 million, carrying an annual average value of $2.35 million.[19] As a restricted free agent prior to the trade, Kennedy brought experience from his Stanley Cup-winning tenure with Pittsburgh in 2009, which the Sharks viewed as adding playoff-tested depth to their bottom-six forward group. In the 2013–14 season, Kennedy appeared in 67 games for the Sharks, recording 4 goals and 13 assists for 17 points while posting a minus-10 rating and accumulating 34 penalty minutes.[4] Primarily deployed as a bottom-six winger, he contributed to the team's checking lines with his speed and physicality, averaging 12:43 of ice time per game and logging occasional shifts on the power play, where he scored one goal.[1] The Sharks reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the Los Angeles Kings in seven games; Kennedy dressed for all seven contests but did not record a point.[4] Kennedy's 2014–15 season was hampered by multiple injuries, limiting him to 25 games with San Jose, where he tallied 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points and a plus-1 rating.[4] He missed the first 13 games due to an undisclosed injury sustained in training camp, followed by a two-week conditioning stint in the AHL with the Worcester Sharks in late October for an upper-body issue.[20] A shoulder injury sidelined him from December 7 to January 10, and a lower-body ailment in late January caused him to miss additional time, contributing to his struggles with consistency in adapting to the Sharks' system.[21] Averaging 11:03 of ice time, Kennedy continued in a bottom-six role, emphasizing forechecking and penalty killing, though his production remained modest.[1] On March 2, 2015, at the NHL trade deadline, the Sharks traded Kennedy to the New York Islanders in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, which could upgrade to a third-round pick in 2016 if the Islanders won the Stanley Cup and Kennedy played in at least 50% of the games in the Final.[20] Over his two seasons with San Jose, Kennedy appeared in 92 regular-season games, registering 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points, providing grit and speed to the forward lines but facing challenges with injuries and limited offensive output in a depth role.[4]New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils
On March 2, 2015, Kennedy was traded from the San Jose Sharks to the New York Islanders in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, which could upgrade to a third-round pick in 2016 if the Islanders won the Stanley Cup and Kennedy played in at least 50% of the games in the Final. In the remaining 13 games of the 2014–15 season with the Islanders, he recorded 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points, along with a -3 plus-minus rating and 2 penalty minutes, contributing primarily as a bottom-six forward during the team's playoff push.[1] Kennedy appeared in three playoff games for New York that spring, logging no points and a -3 rating as the Islanders fell to the Washington Capitals in the first round.[1] Following the expiration of his contract, Kennedy signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 with the New Jersey Devils on November 27, 2015, after initially attending their training camp on a professional tryout in September. During the 2015–16 season, he played 50 games for New Jersey, tallying 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points, with a -14 plus-minus and 14 penalty minutes, often serving in a depth role focused on penalty killing and energy line duties.[1] His time with the Devils marked his final NHL action, as recurring injuries—including multiple concussions earlier in his career and upper- and lower-body issues that limited his availability—contributed to a diminished role and fewer opportunities. Waivers and assignments to the American Hockey League during this period signaled the winding down of his professional playing career. Through the end of the 2015–16 season, Kennedy's NHL career totals stood at 527 games played, 89 goals, 126 assists, 215 points, a +6 plus-minus rating, and 239 penalty minutes.[1] This late-career phase with the Islanders and Devils contrasted with the Stanley Cup championship he had won earlier with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, highlighting a transition from key contributor to journeyman depth player.Post-playing career
Retirement
Tyler Kennedy officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on January 3, 2017, at the age of 30, following unsuccessful attempts to secure a contract in the NHL or AHL for the 2016–17 season.[22] After playing his last game with the New Jersey Devils during the 2015–16 season, Kennedy had tried out with several teams but could not overcome the challenges of signing on.[23] The decision was primarily driven by the cumulative impact of injuries sustained throughout his career, including multiple concussions and other ailments that affected his final years.[22][16] Kennedy noted the physical toll after 527 NHL regular-season games over nine seasons, stating that daily reminders of his injuries made continuing impossible despite his youth and lingering passion for the game.[1] In reflecting on his career, Kennedy expressed deep gratitude for achieving his childhood dream of playing in the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, describing it as a highlight amid over 500 professional games and more than 200 points.[22] He emphasized giving his best effort throughout, viewing his tenure as a rewarding journey despite the challenges. There were no immediate plans for a return to competitive play, marking a clean transition away from the ice. Kennedy's legacy endures as a tenacious, hardworking forward who provided energy and key contributions to playoff teams, earning fan appreciation as a reliable role player rather than a superstar.[24][25]Coaching and youth development
Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2017, Tyler Kennedy founded Tyler Kennedy Hockey, a skill development school based in the Pittsburgh area dedicated to enhancing youth players' abilities in skating, shooting, and edge work for participants aged 5 and older.[26] The program emphasizes comprehensive training tailored to all skill levels, drawing on Kennedy's extensive NHL background to foster technical proficiency and competitive readiness.[5] Kennedy's offerings include private lessons, group clinics, and summer camps hosted at key venues such as Baierl Ice Complex and Printscape Arena at Southpointe.[27][28] In a notable partnership, Tyler Kennedy Hockey provides power skating sessions twice monthly for the 2025–26 season in collaboration with the Morgantown Hockey Association, targeting levels 2 and 3 with a focus on skating mechanics, edgework, and balance.[29] These initiatives aim to build foundational skills while promoting enjoyment of the game. In September 2025, Kennedy joined Sewickley Academy as Director of Hockey Operations to elevate its high school hockey program, bringing his expertise to guide student-athletes in technique and strategy.[30][6] As of late 2025, registrations for the 2025–26 season classes continue to fill rapidly, reflecting strong demand for his structured programs. Kennedy's coaching philosophy centers on imparting NHL-derived insights, such as those from his 2009 Stanley Cup experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins, to inspire youth development both on and off the ice, prioritizing hard work, passion, and positive personal growth.[26][30] Beyond his core school, Kennedy conducts guest clinics, including the Tyler Kennedy Hockey Camp at The St. James facility in Virginia, designed for travel-level players to refine advanced skills in a competitive environment.[31] He actively promotes these opportunities through official channels to connect with the broader youth hockey community.[5]Personal life
Family
Kennedy married Brandi Engel, a Pittsburgh native and former television news producer, on May 9, 2014, in an elopement ceremony at the Grand Wailea resort in Maui, Hawaii.[32] The couple has three children: a daughter named Cookie and two sons, TK and Ozzy.[26][30] Throughout Kennedy's NHL career, Engel provided significant support by relocating multiple times, including leaving her position at WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh to join him in San Jose after his 2013 trade to the Sharks.[33][34] Kennedy has acknowledged this sacrifice, noting that "Brandi gave up a lot to kind of follow me around with hockey."[34] Following his retirement in 2017, the family settled in the Pittsburgh area to prioritize stability and raise their children in a familiar environment.[30] In reflections on his post-playing life, Kennedy has emphasized the importance of family time, including sharing his passion for hockey with his kids.[34] As a family milestone, Kennedy obtained U.S. citizenship in December 2022, aligning with their established life in Pennsylvania.[35]Citizenship and residence
Tyler Kennedy, born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, holds Canadian citizenship by birthright.[2] In December 2022, he was granted U.S. citizenship through naturalization, achieving dual citizenship status.[35] Kennedy expressed pride in his new American identity via a public announcement on social media.[35] Kennedy's pursuit of U.S. citizenship stemmed from his extended residence in the United States, beginning with his selection by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.[2] Over nearly two decades, he established deep family ties in the Pittsburgh region, including relocation there with his wife and children, alongside professional ventures such as founding the Tyler Kennedy Hockey school to train young athletes.[30][26] Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2017, Kennedy settled permanently in the greater Pittsburgh area, making Pennsylvania his primary residence while preserving connections to his Canadian heritage.[30][26] This dual citizenship has enabled seamless participation in U.S.-based coaching roles, including his appointment as Hockey Director at Sewickley Academy in 2025, and broader community engagement within American youth hockey programs.[30]Awards and honors
Stanley Cup
Kennedy played a significant role in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs run, appearing in all 24 games with 5 goals, 4 assists, and 9 points while posting a -1 plus/minus rating. His contributions were particularly notable on the third line alongside Jordan Staal and Matt Cooke, where he helped provide energy and forechecking against top opponents. Kennedy tied for the NHL lead with three game-winning goals during the postseason, including one in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Washington Capitals on May 4, 2009.[36] In the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, Kennedy recorded two goals and one assist over seven games. He scored in Game 4 on June 4, 2009, finishing a tic-tac-toe passing play involving Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz past Chris Osgood to extend Pittsburgh's lead during a crucial second-period rally that resulted in a 4-2 victory, evening the series at 2-2.[37] His most memorable moment came in Game 6 on June 9, 2009, when he netted the game-winning goal at 5:35 of the second period on a deflection of a Maxime Talbot shot, securing a 2-1 victory and forcing a decisive Game 7.[38] These efforts helped propel the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup championship since 1992, defeating Detroit 4-3 in the series with a 2-1 Game 7 win on June 12, 2009.[39] The victory marked Kennedy's first and only Stanley Cup as a player, with his name etched on the trophy alongside his teammates for his postseason participation. The Penguins' celebratory parade through downtown Pittsburgh on June 15, 2009, drew an estimated 375,000 fans, allowing Kennedy and the roster to share the triumph with the city that had supported their gritty playoff journey.[40]Professional achievements
Kennedy was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round, 99th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.[2] He made his NHL debut on October 27, 2007, against the Montreal Canadiens and scored his first NHL goal on November 3, 2007, against goaltender Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders.[4] He was named to the NHL YoungStars Team in 2008. Later in his career, Kennedy played in his 400th NHL game on December 5, 2015, with the New York Islanders against his former team, the Penguins.[13] In his junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Kennedy was selected to the 2006 OHL All-Star Classic and served as team captain during the 2005–06 season, leading the Greyhounds with 70 points (22 goals and 48 assists) in 64 games. He recorded another strong season in 2004–05 with 57 points (21 goals and 36 assists) in 61 games, contributing to his development as a versatile forward.[3] Kennedy's performance peaked during the 2010–11 season, when he achieved a career-high 21 goals and 45 points in 80 games with the Penguins. In 2008–09, he posted a plus-15 rating over 67 games, highlighting his defensive reliability. Over his nine-season NHL career, he appeared in 527 games, surpassing 500 contests while accumulating 215 points (89 goals and 126 assists).[1] While Kennedy did not receive individual NHL awards beyond the YoungStars selection, he was recognized for his leadership and gritty play style, often providing energy on the Penguins' bottom-six lines and contributing to the team's contender status, including their 2009 Stanley Cup victory.Career statistics
Junior and NHL regular season
Kennedy began his junior hockey career with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he developed over four seasons from 2002 to 2006. As a right winger, he showed steady progression in scoring and playmaking, culminating in a strong final year that highlighted his offensive potential ahead of his professional transition.[3]| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | Soo Greyhounds | OHL | 61 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 33 | -10 |
| 2003–04 | Soo Greyhounds | OHL | 63 | 16 | 26 | 42 | 28 | -4 |
| 2004–05 | Soo Greyhounds | OHL | 61 | 21 | 36 | 57 | 37 | 5 |
| 2005–06 | Soo Greyhounds | OHL | 64 | 22 | 48 | 70 | 60 | 1 |
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 55 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 2 | 35 |
| 2008–09 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 67 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 15 | 30 |
| 2009–10 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 64 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 10 | 31 |
| 2010–11 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 80 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 1 | 37 |
| 2011–12 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 60 | 11 | 22 | 33 | 10 | 29 |
| 2012–13 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 46 | 6 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 19 |
| 2013–14 | San Jose Sharks | 67 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -10 | 34 |
| 2014–15 | San Jose Sharks | 25 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| 2014–15 | New York Islanders | 13 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -3 | 2 |
| 2015–16 | New Jersey Devils | 50 | 3 | 13 | 16 | -14 | 14 |
| Career | 527 | 89 | 126 | 215 | 6 | 239 |
NHL playoffs and international
Kennedy's NHL playoff career spanned seven postseasons from 2008 to 2015, during which he appeared in 79 games, accumulating 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points. His contributions were most prominent during the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2009 Stanley Cup championship run, where he played all 24 games, scoring 5 goals—including three game-winners—and adding 4 assists for 9 points overall, helping the team defeat the Detroit Red Wings in the Finals. In subsequent years with Pittsburgh, his playoff output varied, with notable moments like 3 goals in 6 games during the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, but overall production declined amid shorter team runs and a reduced role on the roster. Kennedy's final NHL playoff appearance came in 2015 with the New York Islanders, where he logged just 3 games in the first round against the Washington Capitals, registering no points in a limited bottom-six capacity. The table below details Kennedy's year-by-year NHL playoff statistics:| Year | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | PIT | 20 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| 2008–09 | PIT | 24 | 5 | 4 | 9 | -1 | 4 |
| 2009–10 | PIT | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -6 | 2 |
| 2010–11 | PIT | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011–12 | PIT | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| 2012–13 | PIT | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| 2014–15 | NYI | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 2 |
| Career | 79 | 12 | 15 | 27 | -3 | 27 |