Tyler Pitlick
Tyler Pitlick (born November 1, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey center who plays for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted in the second round, 31st overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pitlick has played 429 career NHL games across 9 teams, recording 56 goals and 53 assists for 109 points. A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, he signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Wild in July 2025, adding depth as a bottom-six forward known for his physical play and penalty-killing ability.[1][2][3][4] Pitlick's early career included one season of college hockey at Minnesota State University–Mankato in 2009–10, where he tallied 19 points in 38 games, before turning professional with the Oilers' organization. He made his NHL debut with Edmonton during the 2013–14 season and spent four years in their system, splitting time between the NHL and the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons, where he posted 142 points in 282 AHL games over eight seasons.[2][3] Traded to the Dallas Stars in 2017, Pitlick enjoyed his most productive NHL stretch in 2017–18, scoring 14 goals and 13 assists in 80 games while contributing to the Stars' playoff run.[2] Subsequent moves took Pitlick to the Philadelphia Flyers (2019), Arizona Coyotes (2020; signed as free agent), Calgary Flames (2021), and Montréal Canadiens (2021), before brief stints with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. Selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL expansion draft but traded to Calgary before signing, he continued as a journeyman forward, emphasizing defensive reliability and faceoff prowess in limited ice time. In the 2024–25 season, he recorded 46 points in 59 AHL games with the Providence Bruins before returning to his home state with the Wild organization. As of November 17, 2025, Pitlick has appeared in nine games for Minnesota without recording a point, focusing on his role in the team's bottom lines.[3][5][2][4][6]Early life
Family background
Tyler Pitlick was born on November 1, 1991, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to parents John and Amy Pitlick.[7][8] Pitlick hails from a hockey-centric family, with his uncle Lance Pitlick enjoying an NHL career that spanned 393 games as a defenseman for the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators from 1995 to 2003.[9][10] His extended family includes cousins Rem and Rhett Pitlick, both of whom pursued professional hockey paths; Rem was selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 76th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and played a standout college career at the University of Minnesota from 2016 to 2020 before turning professional.[11][12] Tyler has a sister, Alli Pitlick, who played hockey at the University of St. Thomas.[13] Raised in the Centennial area of Minnesota after early years in Champlin and subsequent moves to Lino Lakes and Centerville, Pitlick benefited from immediate access to local rinks and informal family games that immersed him in the sport from a young age.[14][15] This familial environment, marked by the Pitlicks' multigenerational involvement in hockey, significantly shaped his early passion and development in the game.[16]Youth development
Tyler Pitlick began his hockey journey in local Minnesota youth leagues, playing for the Minnesota Blades AAA program, where he honed his skills as a center during his early teens.[17] Growing up in a family with a strong hockey tradition, including his uncle Lance Pitlick's NHL career, provided additional motivation for his development in the sport.[7] Pitlick attended Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minnesota, where he excelled on the ice, leading the team in scoring during his junior and senior years before graduating in 2009.[3] His performance in high school, including standout play in the 2008 Minnesota High School Elite League where he led in goals, drew early scouting interest.[7] This period marked the culmination of his youth development, as his skills earned him selection in the 2007 USHL Phase I Futures Draft by the Tri-City Storm in the third round, 38th overall.[18]Amateur career
Junior hockey
Pitlick played junior hockey for one season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2010–11, following his freshman year at Minnesota State University and selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.[19] In 56 regular-season games, he tallied 27 goals and 35 assists for 62 points, along with 31 penalty minutes, helping the Tigers reach the WHL playoffs where he added four points in four games.[3] His performance showcased his development as a two-way center capable of contributing offensively while playing a responsible defensive game.[8] Pitlick was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, 31st overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26 in Los Angeles.[8] The pick came after a promising college debut, highlighting his size, skating ability, and potential as a reliable middle-six forward.[19]College hockey
Pitlick enrolled at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he played for the Mavericks in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) during the 2009–10 season.[19] As a freshman, he appeared in 38 games, scoring 11 goals and recording 8 assists for 19 points, along with 27 penalty minutes and a minus-1 plus/minus rating.[20] His performance included 4 power-play goals and 72 shots on goal, contributing to the team's efforts in a season that saw the Mavericks finish with a 16-20-3 overall record.[3] During his time at Minnesota State, Pitlick balanced his athletic commitments with academic pursuits in sports management, though he departed after one season following his selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.[19] The Mavericks advanced to the WCHA playoffs that year, where Pitlick helped the team in first-round matchups against the St. Cloud State Huskies, though they were eliminated in a best-of-three series.[21] His college experience provided a foundation in NCAA-level play before transitioning to junior hockey in the Western Hockey League.[2]Professional career
Edmonton Oilers (2010–2017)
Pitlick was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round (31st overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft after one season of college hockey at Minnesota State University, where he recorded 19 points in 38 games. Following a junior season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League in 2010–11, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers on April 16, 2011, carrying a cap hit of $900,000 per season. This agreement marked his transition to professional hockey within the Oilers organization.[22] Pitlick spent the majority of his early professional years developing in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Oilers' affiliates. He began with the Oklahoma City Barons in 2011–12, posting 7 goals and 16 assists in 62 games during his rookie season. Over the subsequent seasons, he continued with the Barons through 2014–15, appearing in 97 games and tallying 14 goals and 27 assists while adapting to the physical demands of pro play and contributing on the penalty kill. In 2015–16, he moved to the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton's new AHL affiliate, where he recorded 7 goals and 14 assists in 37 games before a late-season recall. Across 196 AHL games from 2011 to 2016, Pitlick amassed 28 goals and 57 assists, establishing himself as a reliable bottom-six forward known for his size (6'2", 195 lbs) and defensive reliability.[3] Pitlick earned his first NHL call-up during the 2013–14 season, making his debut on October 22, 2013, against the Montreal Canadiens. He scored his first NHL goal on October 26, 2013, against the Phoenix Coyotes. In limited appearances that year, he played 10 games, contributing 1 goal. The following season, 2014–15, he saw increased time with the Oilers, appearing in 17 games and scoring 2 goals while providing physical forechecking and energy on the fourth line. In 2016–17, Pitlick had a breakout year at the NHL level, playing 31 games with 8 goals and 3 assists, often in a bottom-six role. Overall, from 2013 to 2017, Pitlick played 58 NHL games with Edmonton, recording 11 goals and 3 assists, often recalled for his versatility as a right-shot forward capable of playing center or wing. He also appeared in 23 AHL games with Bakersfield that season, adding 3 goals and 5 assists.[8][19] Injuries hampered Pitlick's development during this period, beginning with a concussion in late October 2012 that sidelined him for several weeks during his second AHL season. He also suffered a knee injury in April 2014 after blocking a shot, missing the end of that campaign, and a lacerated spleen on December 31, 2014, against the Calgary Flames, which required surgery and ended his 2014–15 season prematurely after just 31 combined AHL and NHL games. These setbacks limited his consistency but highlighted his resilience in returning to form.[23][24] Pitlick signed a one-year, $725,000 contract extension with the Oilers on June 17, 2016, positioning him for a potential expanded role in the 2016–17 season.[25]Dallas Stars (2017–2019)
Pitlick signed a three-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2017, following six seasons in the Edmonton Oilers organization. After enduring multiple injuries that limited his playing time in Edmonton, Pitlick benefited from better health in Dallas and quickly secured a role as a bottom-six forward known for his physical play and defensive reliability.[19][26] In his first season with the Stars during 2017–18, Pitlick appeared in a career-high 80 games, posting personal bests of 14 goals, 13 assists, and 27 points while registering a plus-9 rating.[8] His consistent performance helped solidify the team's depth, as he averaged 13:41 of ice time per game and contributed on both the penalty kill and in even-strength situations.[19] The Stars missed the playoffs that year, finishing fourth in the Central Division, but Pitlick's breakout established him as a key contributor in the bottom six. The 2018–19 campaign saw Pitlick record 8 goals and 12 points in 47 regular-season games before sustaining a wrist injury that required surgery in late March.[8][27] He returned in time for the playoffs, where Dallas advanced past the Nashville Predators in six games but lost to the St. Louis Blues in the second round; Pitlick skated in all six postseason contests, logging limited minutes without tallying a point.[28] On June 24, 2019, the Stars traded Pitlick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Ryan Hartman.[29]Philadelphia Flyers (2019–2021)
On June 24, 2019, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Tyler Pitlick from the Dallas Stars in exchange for forward Ryan Hartman, adding a versatile bottom-six center to their roster. Pitlick, who had established himself as a reliable third-line contributor during his time with Dallas, quickly integrated into the Flyers' lineup following a brief recovery from offseason wrist surgery that caused him to miss the start of training camp. Expected to provide physicality, faceoff prowess, and secondary scoring, his steady presence supported the team's depth.[29] During the 2019–20 season, Pitlick appeared in 63 games for the Flyers, recording 8 goals and 12 assists for 20 points while posting a plus-11 rating and averaging 12:03 of ice time per game. His contributions were particularly notable on the penalty kill, where he helped Philadelphia rank among the league's top units, and he added physicality with 81 hits despite dealing with an undisclosed upper-body injury in December 2019 that sidelined him for several games. Pitlick's consistent two-way play solidified his role on the third line alongside players like Derek Grant and Michael Raffl, offering a blend of grit and opportunistic offense that supported the team's push toward the playoffs.[8] In the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs held in the Toronto bubble, Pitlick played a key role in the Flyers' run to the Eastern Conference Final, appearing in all 16 games with 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points, alongside a minus-3 rating and 16 shots on goal. His goals came against the New York Islanders in the second round, providing timely offensive sparks during a series that went to seven games, though Philadelphia ultimately fell to the New York Islanders in the conference final. Following the season, Pitlick became an unrestricted free agent and signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes on October 9, 2020, concluding his tenure with Philadelphia after one full season marked by dependable depth play amid minor injury interruptions.[8]Arizona Coyotes (2021)
On October 9, 2020, Pitlick signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes after becoming an unrestricted free agent following the 2019–20 season with the Philadelphia Flyers.[30] In the 2020–21 NHL season, shortened to 56 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitlick appeared in 38 contests for the Coyotes, contributing 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points while providing physicality on the bottom-six lines.[31] His performance was solid following recovery from prior injuries. Pitlick's season ended prematurely on April 19, 2021, when he was ruled out for the remainder due to a lower-body injury (knee) sustained on March 23, limiting him to missing the final 18 games and placing him on injured reserve. The injury underscored ongoing health challenges that had previously sidelined him.[32][33] Following the season, on July 21, 2021, the Seattle Kraken selected Pitlick from the Coyotes in the NHL expansion draft.[34] The next day, July 22, 2021, Seattle traded him to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, ending his brief stint with Arizona after one season.[35]Calgary Flames (2021–2022)
On July 22, 2021, the Calgary Flames acquired Tyler Pitlick from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, shortly after the Kraken selected him from the Arizona Coyotes in the expansion draft.[36] Pitlick, who had been limited to 38 games in the 2020–21 season with Arizona due to a lower-body injury sustained in March 2021, joined Calgary as a depth forward expected to provide physicality in the bottom six. Pitlick made his Flames debut during a five-game road trip in late October 2021, expressing readiness to contribute despite the time needed to regain full form following his previous injury.[37] Over 25 games with Calgary in the 2021–22 season, he recorded no goals and two assists while posting a minus-5 rating, focusing primarily on defensive responsibilities and physical play, including 55 hits that underscored his role as a gritty bottom-six winger.[8] His average time on ice was 11:41 per game, often on the fourth line or penalty kill.[8] On February 14, 2022, Pitlick was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with prospect Emil Heineman, a conditional first-round pick in 2022, and a fifth-round pick in 2023 in exchange for forward Tyler Toffoli, ending his brief tenure with Calgary.[38] At the conclusion of the 2021–22 season, Pitlick became an unrestricted free agent.[39]Montreal Canadiens (2022)
On February 14, 2022, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Tyler Pitlick from the Calgary Flames as part of a trade package that also included prospect Emil Heineman, a conditional 2022 first-round draft pick (top-10 protected), and a 2023 fifth-round pick in exchange for forward Tyler Toffoli.[40][41] Pitlick, who had been limited by injuries earlier in the 2021–22 season with Calgary, joined Montreal to provide bottom-six forward depth during a rebuilding year marked by the team's struggles following a Stanley Cup Final appearance the prior season.[42] In 14 games with the Canadiens to close out the 2021–22 regular season, Pitlick recorded 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points while averaging 9:36 of ice time per game, often contributing on the penalty kill and in checking-line roles.[19] His limited playing time reflected Montreal's ongoing transition, with the team finishing last in the Atlantic Division and prioritizing younger players amid a league-worst 22 wins. Minor ailments, consistent with his injury history, further constrained his opportunities, though he provided reliable veteran presence in a locker room undergoing significant changes.[2] The Canadiens did not qualify for the playoffs, ending Pitlick's brief tenure without postseason action.[40] Following the season, Pitlick became an unrestricted free agent and departed the organization, seeking opportunities elsewhere after his short stint in Montreal.[43]St. Louis Blues (2022–2023)
On October 25, 2022, Pitlick signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the St. Louis Blues after starting the season on a professional tryout following his unrestricted free agency from the Montreal Canadiens.[44] This came after a 2021–22 season in Montreal where he logged limited ice time, appearing in just 14 games.[8] With the Blues, Pitlick quickly established himself as a reliable fourth-line forward, providing physicality and depth scoring during a competitive campaign where St. Louis vied for a Western Conference playoff spot before ultimately finishing ninth in the Central Division.[45] Pitlick appeared in 61 regular-season games for the Blues, recording 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points, along with a -1 plus/minus rating and 14 penalty minutes.[8] Averaging 10:05 of ice time per game, he contributed to the fourth line's stability alongside linemates like Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker, posting a plus-9 goal differential at even strength over 170 minutes while registering 103 hits and 29 blocked shots to bring energy and defensive reliability.[45] His role emphasized bottom-six grit rather than extensive special teams usage, with only limited penalty-kill time totaling about 10:34 across the season.[45] As an unrestricted free agent following the 2022–23 season, Pitlick departed St. Louis and signed a one-year, $787,500 contract with the New York Rangers on July 1, 2023.New York Rangers (2023–2024)
On July 1, 2023, Pitlick signed a one-year, $787,500 contract with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent, bringing his veteran experience to the team's bottom-six forward group.[46] Throughout the 2023–24 season, he served primarily in a depth role, contributing physical play and occasional penalty killing duties while averaging around 10 minutes of ice time per game.[47] In 34 games with the Rangers, Pitlick recorded 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points, along with 4 penalty minutes and a minus-6 rating, reflecting his limited offensive impact in a crowded lineup.[3] His production was hampered by injuries and competition for spots, leading to several healthy scratches as the season progressed. On February 13, 2024, the Rangers placed him on waivers to make room for other roster moves, and he cleared waivers the following day before being assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.[48][49] Pitlick remained with the organization through the end of his contract, splitting time between the NHL and AHL without being traded at the March deadline, and he did not participate in the Rangers' playoff run after their assignment of him to Hartford. His tenure marked a transitional period, as the team prioritized younger players and depth adjustments heading into free agency.[50]Boston Bruins (2024–2025)
Pitlick joined the Boston Bruins' organization in late September 2024, signing a professional tryout (PTO) agreement with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins.[51] He impressed early in the season, registering five goals and six assists in his first 15 games, which prompted Providence to convert his PTO to a one-year AHL contract on December 7, 2024.[52] On March 6, 2025, the Bruins elevated him to a one-year, two-way NHL contract for the remainder of the 2024–25 season, carrying a cap hit of $775,000 at the NHL level.[53] Despite the NHL deal, Pitlick did not receive a recall to Boston and spent the full 2024–25 season in the AHL with Providence. In 59 regular-season games, he tallied 21 goals, 25 assists, and 46 points, while posting a +17 plus/minus rating.[54] His goal total tied for the team lead, shared with Vinni Lettieri and Riley Tufte, and he ranked second in plus/minus among Providence skaters.[55][56] Following the conclusion of the 2024–25 AHL season in May, Pitlick's contract expired, making him an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, 2025.[22]Minnesota Wild (2025–present)
On July 2, 2025, Pitlick signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild, valued at $1.55 million with an annual average value of $775,000. This deal marked his return to his home state, where the Minneapolis native had begun his hockey journey before embarking on a 14-year professional career across multiple NHL organizations. Pitlick made his Wild debut on October 19, 2025, against the Philadelphia Flyers, skating on the fourth line after being recalled from the AHL's Iowa Wild the previous day. As the 36th Minnesotan to play for the franchise, the moment carried deep emotional weight, fulfilling a long-held dream of suiting up for his hometown team. His prior audition in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, where he led the team with 21 goals in 2024–25, had positioned him for this opportunity. Through November 17, 2025, Pitlick has appeared in nine games during the 2025–26 season, contributing physicality to the bottom-six forward group without recording a point and holding a minus-3 rating. Primarily deployed as a depth center, he has taken on key penalty-kill responsibilities alongside linemates like Yakov Trenin and Ben Jones, helping the Wild maintain a strong unit early in the year. No major injuries have been reported for Pitlick thus far. He was assigned to Iowa on November 8 following the return of Mats Zuccarello from injury but recalled on November 15, 2025.Personal life
Family
Tyler Pitlick is married to Sara Pitlick. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Tatum Rae Pitlick, on April 24, 2016, while Pitlick was playing for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League.[57] Their second daughter, Lyla Eden Pitlick, was born on January 7, 2019, weighing 7 pounds and 13 ounces; Pitlick, then with the Dallas Stars, left the bench during warmups for a game against the Montreal Canadiens to be at the hospital for the birth.[58] Pitlick's immediate family has been a constant source of stability amid his career transitions between NHL teams.[16] As a Minnesota native now playing for the hometown Wild, the Pitlicks have settled back in the state, where they participate in local community events and enjoy family-oriented outings reflective of the area's outdoor lifestyle.[13]Health and injuries
Throughout his career, Tyler Pitlick has endured multiple concussions, with the first occurring in late October 2012 while playing for the Edmonton Oilers, contributing to early-season absences.[23] Another concussion sidelined him on December 14, 2019, during his tenure with the Philadelphia Flyers.[59] These head injuries highlight a pattern of vulnerability in a physically demanding sport, yet Pitlick demonstrated resilience by returning to full participation following protocol-mandated recovery periods. A significant setback came in the 2014–15 season with the Oilers, when Pitlick suffered a lacerated spleen on December 31, 2014, after a hit from Calgary Flames forward Lance Bouma, causing him to miss 41 games.[10] In 2019, while with the Dallas Stars, he underwent surgery on February 5 to repair tendon damage in his left wrist, which kept him out for at least eight weeks.[60] An upper-body injury on April 19, 2021, with the Flyers further limited his availability during that season.[59] Pitlick's injury history also includes an undisclosed ailment on November 5, 2017, with the Stars, and earlier issues such as an ankle sprain in the 2010–11 AHL season.[59][23] By November 2025, having accumulated over 700 professional regular-season games across the NHL (429) and AHL (282), the cumulative wear from these ailments and more than a decade of play has tested his durability.[3] Despite these challenges, Pitlick has utilized comprehensive rehabilitation programs and long-term injured reserve (LTIR) stints to manage recoveries, enabling a return to the NHL in the 2025–26 season with the Minnesota Wild after spending the prior year in the AHL.[15] This marks his 12th NHL season, underscoring his perseverance without reported major setbacks in the current campaign.[61]Career statistics
NHL and AHL regular season
Pitlick has appeared in 429 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season games over 11 seasons from 2013–14 to 2025–26, accumulating 56 goals, 53 assists, 109 points, a −9 plus/minus rating, and 124 penalty minutes.[8] His most productive NHL campaign came during the 2017–18 season with the Dallas Stars, where he recorded 14 goals and 27 points in 80 games.[8] Other notable seasons include 2019–20 with the Philadelphia Flyers (20 points in 63 games) and 2016–17 with the Edmonton Oilers (11 points in 31 games).[8]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Edmonton Oilers | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −2 | 0 |
| 2014–15 | Edmonton Oilers | 17 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −3 | 4 |
| 2016–17 | Edmonton Oilers | 31 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 6 |
| 2017–18 | Dallas Stars | 80 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 9 | 34 |
| 2018–19 | Dallas Stars | 47 | 8 | 4 | 12 | −2 | 6 |
| 2019–20 | Philadelphia Flyers | 63 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 11 | 12 |
| 2020–21 | Arizona Coyotes | 38 | 6 | 5 | 11 | −1 | 16 |
| 2021–22 | Calgary Flames / Montreal Canadiens | 39 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −11 | 6 |
| 2022–23 | St. Louis Blues | 61 | 7 | 9 | 16 | −1 | 14 |
| 2023–24 | New York Rangers | 34 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −6 | 4 |
| 2025–26 | Minnesota Wild | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −3 | 22 |
| NHL Career | 429 | 56 | 53 | 109 | −9 | 124 |
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | Oklahoma City Barons | 62 | 7 | 16 | 23 | −1 | 28 |
| 2012–13 | Oklahoma City Barons | 44 | 3 | 7 | 10 | −7 | 10 |
| 2013–14 | Oklahoma City Barons | 39 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 6 | 10 |
| 2014–15 | Oklahoma City Barons | 14 | 3 | 6 | 9 | −1 | 8 |
| 2015–16 | Bakersfield Condors | 37 | 7 | 14 | 21 | −3 | 4 |
| 2023–24 | Hartford Wolf Pack | 22 | 3 | 4 | 7 | −6 | 2 |
| 2024–25 | Providence Bruins | 59 | 21 | 25 | 46 | 17 | 34 |
| 2025–26 | Iowa Wild | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 |
| AHL Career | 282 | 55 | 87 | 142 | 2 | 96 |