Brian Dumoulin Bio
Brian Joseph Dumoulin is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Born on September 6, 1991, in Biddeford, Maine, Dumoulin was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft with the 51st overall pick. Over his distinguished NHL career spanning from 2012 to present, Dumoulin has established himself as a reliable two-way defenseman known for his defensive prowess and steady presence on the blue line. He won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, becoming the first Maine-born player in NHL history to hoist the prestigious trophy. Dumoulin has represented the United States at the international level, including winning a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Early Life and Background
Brian Dumoulin was born to parents Deb and Pete Dumoulin in Biddeford, Maine. His introduction to hockey came through an unexpected source. After his mother attended a nursing conference in California where she roller skated, she brought the sport back to Maine and taught her two sons how to skate. The Dumoulin brothers began playing hockey in their driveway before being enrolled in the learn-to-skate program at the Biddeford Ice Arena. Dumoulin played Atoms hockey as a young child before being forced to take a year off when his younger sister was born. He returned to the sport at age seven and joined the select travel team Maine Renegades.
During his youth hockey years, Dumoulin played for the Seacoast Spartans in New Hampshire, where he skated alongside future NHL players Casey DeSmith and Garnet Hathaway. His childhood work included washing dishes at a local Biddeford restaurant called Huot’s Seafood. Upon entering high school, Dumoulin played for the Biddeford High School Tigers, where he helped the team win back-to-back state championships while accumulating 107 points through 48 games. He later left high school as a junior to play for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs, a Tier III Junior A team, believing junior hockey would provide a better path to Division I collegiate hockey.
Path to Professional Hockey
While playing for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs during the 2008-09 season, Dumoulin helped his team capture the regular-season championship and was named the EJHL’s Defensive Player of the Year. His success attracted attention from several major collegiate programs, including the University of Maine, Providence College, Northeastern University, Harvard University, University of New Hampshire, and Boston College. Dumoulin ultimately chose Boston College due to the school’s reputation, the caliber of players attending the program, and its proximity to his hometown.
Prior to beginning his freshman season at Boston College, Dumoulin was drafted 51st overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He enrolled at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management while playing for the Boston College Eagles in the NCAA’s Division I Hockey East conference. In his freshman year, Dumoulin recorded 12 points and led the team with a plus-40 rating. He scored his first collegiate goal on March 6, 2010, with just 3.2 seconds remaining in the second period against New Hampshire and was named to the Hockey East Rookie Team. He helped the Eagles reach the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four and was selected for the All-Tournament Team following their championship victory.
Brian Dumoulin Career
Boston College Years (2009-2012)
During his sophomore season at Boston College in 2010-11, Dumoulin began the year strong with 10 points through 16 games before being selected to represent Team USA at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. After returning with a bronze medal, he continued his offensive production and finished the season with three goals and 30 assists for 33 points through 37 games. Despite speculation that he would turn professional, Dumoulin announced his return to Boston College for the 2011-12 season to further develop his game. He earned AHCA All-Hockey East First Team honors, the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman award, and the Bob Monahan Award as the top defenseman in New England.
In his final collegiate season, Dumoulin tallied seven goals and 28 points through 44 games as the Eagles qualified for the 2012 NCAA Frozen Four. During the championship final against Ferris State, he scored a first-period goal to help lead Boston College to a 4-1 victory. Prior to the tournament, Dumoulin was named a finalist for the 2012 Hobey Baker Award, leading all Hockey East defensemen in scoring. Following the NCAA championship win, he was again selected for the All-Tournament Team alongside teammates Johnny Gaudreau and Parker Milner.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2012-2023)
On April 10, 2012, the Hurricanes signed Dumoulin to an entry-level contract. However, just months later on June 22, 2012, his playing rights were traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a blockbuster deal for center Jordan Staal. The trade also included forward Brandon Sutter and the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Dumoulin began his professional career with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh’s American Hockey League affiliate, where he recorded six goals and 18 assists for 24 points through 79 games during his rookie season.
Dumoulin was recalled to the NHL on December 9, 2013, and made his NHL debut on December 14 against the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, two days later against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored his first career NHL goal on December 15, 2014, against Evgeni Nabokov of the Tampa Bay Lightning in his tenth NHL game. That night, Dumoulin and teammate Bryan Rust both scored their first NHL goals, becoming the first Penguins pair to achieve this milestone since 2006.
The 2015-16 season marked Dumoulin’s emergence as the Penguins’ top shutdown defenseman. Playing alongside Ben Lovejoy and later Trevor Daley, he became Pittsburgh’s most consistent defender with 16 assists and a plus-11 rating. In the playoffs, Dumoulin scored his first NHL playoff goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and his second came in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks, helping the Penguins capture the championship. With this victory, Dumoulin became the first Maine-born player to ever hoist the Stanley Cup.
Dumoulin continued his steady presence on the Penguins blue line through the 2016-17 season, which saw him win his second consecutive Stanley Cup on June 11, 2017. He overcame a broken jaw sustained in late December 2016 and a hand injury during the playoffs to help Pittsburgh repeat as champions. On July 24, 2017, the Penguins rewarded Dumoulin with a six-year, $24.6 million contract worth $4.1 million annually, running through the 2022-23 season. Over his ten seasons with Pittsburgh, Dumoulin became known as one of the league’s most reliable defensive defensemen, setting career highs and mentoring younger players while maintaining his shutdown role against opponents’ top lines.
Seattle Kraken, Anaheim Ducks, and New Jersey Devils (2023-2025)
After a decade with the Penguins, Dumoulin departed as a free agent on July 1, 2023, and signed a two-year, $6.3 million contract with the Seattle Kraken. In his lone season with Seattle during the 2023-24 campaign, Dumoulin recorded six goals and 10 assists for 16 points through 80 games, ranking third among Kraken defensemen in goals scored while setting a single-season career high in that category.
With a year remaining on his contract, Dumoulin was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on July 2, 2024, in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. During his time with Anaheim, Dumoulin was dealt once more, this time to the New Jersey Devils on March 6, 2025. In exchange for Dumoulin, the Ducks acquired prospect Herman Träff and a 2025 second-round draft pick. Dumoulin played 19 regular-season games with the playoff-bound Devils, recording one goal and six points in a second-pairing role. He appeared in five postseason games during New Jersey’s first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes but went scoreless as the Devils were eliminated.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2025-Present)
Following the conclusion of his contract with the Devils, Dumoulin left as an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1, 2025. The Kings awarded him with a three-year contract worth $12 million, paying $4 million annually through the 2027-28 season. This signing represented a significant commitment from Los Angeles to bolster their defensive corps with an experienced veteran who had proven himself at the highest levels of the sport. Dumoulin joined a Kings team looking to make a deep playoff run and provided immediate stability and experience to their blue line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dumoulin has built his NHL career on being a reliable, stay-at-home defenseman who excels in his own end of the rink. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, he uses his size effectively to win board battles, block shots, and clear opposing forwards from in front of his goaltender. Throughout his career, coaches have praised his defensive zone coverage and his ability to make quick, smart decisions with the puck. While not known for flashy offensive statistics, Dumoulin has shown he can contribute offensively when called upon, recording solid point totals during his career. His steady presence and professionalism have made him a valued teammate and a consistent performer night in and night out.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dumoulin’s career highlights include winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, with the first being particularly historic as he became the first Maine-born player to ever win hockey’s ultimate prize. His international career includes representing the United States at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where Team USA placed seventh, and winning a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was also recognized as a Hobey Baker Award finalist during his final collegiate season at Boston College, joining the company of the sport’s top amateur players.
Brian Dumoulin Career Wins
Throughout his professional hockey career spanning from 2012 to the present, Brian Dumoulin has accumulated significant team successes along with individual accomplishments at both the collegiate and international levels. His most prestigious victories came during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he established himself as a core member of two championship teams.
Pittsburgh Penguins Highlights
Dumoulin’s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins yielded the pinnacle of team success in professional hockey. He was a key contributor on the blue line during the 2015-16 season when Pittsburgh defeated the San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup Final to capture the championship. He followed this with an even more memorable 2016-17 campaign, playing through injuries to help the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions by defeating the Nashville Predators in the Final. Dumoulin appeared in numerous playoff games throughout his decade with Pittsburgh, consistently facing opponent’s top lines and delivering steady defensive performances when it mattered most.
Other Achievements
At the collegiate level, Dumoulin helped Boston College win the NCAA Frozen Four championship in both 2010 and 2012. He earned numerous conference honors during his three seasons at Boston College, including being named to the Hockey East Rookie Team, Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman, AHCA All-Hockey East First Team, and Bob Monahan Award recipient as New England’s top defenseman. Internationally, he helped Team USA capture a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Brian Dumoulin Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Dumoulin was born and raised in Biddeford, Maine, to parents Deb and Pete Dumoulin. His father and mother introduced him to skating at a young age through the family driveway and local ice arenas. His older brother John also played hockey, remaining at Biddeford High School while Brian advanced to junior hockey. Growing up in Maine’s hockey community, Dumoulin had early exposure to the sport that would become his profession, though neither of his parents had a background in competitive athletics beyond recreational skating.
Personal Life
Dumoulin is married to his wife Kayla, and the couple welcomed their first child together in November 2019. Outside of hockey, Dumoulin developed a passion for cooking inspired by the late chef Anthony Bourdain. He has spoken publicly about watching every episode of Anthony Bourdain’s television programs including Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and The Layover, which motivated him to take his culinary skills more seriously. Dumoulin completed his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Boston College during his professional career, finishing the final course during the summer following the Penguins’ first Stanley Cup victory in 2016. He has resided in various cities throughout his hockey career while maintaining strong connections to his Maine roots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NHL season marks a new chapter in Brian Dumoulin’s career as he joins the Los Angeles Kings following his brief stint with the New Jersey Devils. After being acquired by the Devils in March 2025 and appearing in 19 regular-season games with one goal and six points, Dumoulin enters the 2025-26 season with the Kings on a fresh three-year contract worth $12 million total. His acquisition represents Los Angeles’s commitment to adding experienced defensive depth as they pursue playoff success.
Dumoulin brings a veteran presence and proven track record to a Kings defensive corps looking to improve upon recent playoff performances. At 34 years old, he remains a reliable two-way defender capable of playing significant minutes against top competition. His ability to mentor younger players while maintaining his own high standards of performance makes him an valuable addition to the Kings’ locker room. The partnership between Dumoulin and the Kings coaching staff will be important as the team integrates him into their defensive structure.