Kyle Palmieri Bio
Kyle Charles Palmieri is an American professional ice hockey player who is a forward and alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks. Known for his scoring ability, Palmieri has played key roles in several teams throughout his career and is recognized for his humanitarian efforts off the ice.
Early Life and Background
Palmieri was born on February 1, 1991, in Smithtown, New York, to parents Bruce and Tammy. After marrying, his parents spent a few years in Smithtown, where Kyle and his three older siblings were born, before moving to Montvale, New Jersey, when Kyle was four. His godfather is former shortstop Bud Harrelson, who is his father’s cousin. Palmieri began playing ice hockey at a friend’s house when he was five years old. He began playing with the Kodiak Hockey Club at McKay Ice Arena under coach Gary Hess.
Path to Hockey
Growing up, Palmieri played youth hockey for the New Jersey Devils-sponsored teams at Codey Arena in West Orange, New Jersey. He also played in the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New Jersey Devils minor ice hockey team. At the age of 14, Palmieri joined the 16U Junior Devils organization. Afterward, he attended St. Peter’s Preparatory School for two years. During his sophomore season, Palmieri led the Gordon Conference with 58 points and earned a first-team All-State selection.
Kyle Palmieri Career
Early Career (2010-2015)
Following the 2009-10 season, Palmieri signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks and participated in their Rookie Tournament. He was soon reassigned to the Ducks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, to begin the 2010-11 season. In his first month with the team, Palmieri tallied six points in three games. He made his NHL debut on November 3, 2010, against the Tampa Bay Lightning and scored his first career goal to lead the Ducks to an overtime win. Palmieri spent his early seasons splitting time between the NHL and AHL, developing his skills and earning recognition as a promising young scorer.
Anaheim Ducks Breakthrough (2010-2015)
Palmieri’s time with the Ducks saw him gradually establish himself as an NHL player. During the 2012-13 NHL lockout, he split the season between the Ducks and their new AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. On February 28, 2013, Palmieri became the second-youngest Ducks player to record a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over the Nashville Predators. The 2013-14 season was Palmieri’s first full-time NHL campaign, and he set career-highs in goals, assists, and points. He finished the season with 31 points through 71 games as the Ducks qualified for the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs.
New York Islanders Era (2021-Present)
Palmieri was traded to the New York Islanders along with Travis Zajac in exchange for draft picks in 2021. Upon joining the Islanders, he was reunited with former teammate Andy Greene. In the Islanders’ final regular season game on May 8, Palmieri and teammate Mathew Barzal tallied a goal each 37 seconds apart in the third period to win 5-1 over the Devils. During Game 1 of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Palmieri scored two goals, including the overtime game-winner, becoming the first Long Island-born player to score a postseason goal for the Islanders. On September 1, 2021, Palmieri was re-signed to a four-year, $20 million contract by the Islanders. On May 30, 2025, the Islanders re-signed Palmieri to a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension.
Playing Style and Strengths
Palmieri is known for his scoring ability and strong shooting technique. He plays with a physical presence and is effective around the net, particularly on power plays. His hockey IQ allows him to position himself well for scoring opportunities, and he has developed strong chemistry with various linemates throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
During the second period of a November 28, 2025, game against the Flyers, Palmieri suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that sidelined him for six to eight months. Prior to the injury, he had scored a memorable goal while playing through the injury, demonstrating his toughness and commitment to the game.
Kyle Palmieri Career Wins
Throughout his NHL career, Palmieri has consistently produced offensively for each of his teams. His ability to score clutch goals, particularly in playoff situations, has made him a valuable asset to the organizations he has played for.
Islanders Highlights
Since joining the Islanders, Palmieri has continued to contribute offensively while providing veteran leadership. His performance in the 2021 playoffs was particularly noteworthy, as he scored seven goals in his first 12 playoff games with the team.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time with the New Jersey Devils, Palmieri set career-highs and led the team in scoring during multiple seasons. He recorded his first hat-trick with the Devils in October 2019 and continued to be a consistent offensive threat.
Kyle Palmieri Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Palmieri comes from a family with military connections. His older sister Taylor and brother-in-law Stephen Ficchi are both members of the United States Army. His sister is a member of the New York Army National Guard while Stephen is a United States Army Rangers.
Personal Life
Palmieri married his wife Ashlee in July 2019 at Macari Vineyards in Mattituck, New York. As a result of his family’s military connections, Palmieri launched Squad21 in 2016 to offer active or veteran military service members the chance to attend a Devils home game. This expanded into the Kyle Palmieri Foundation, a charitable organization that supports three military nonprofits, in 2018. He held an annual Military Ball that included an auction and became the Devil’s 2018 nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Palmieri continued his role as an alternate captain for the New York Islanders. Prior to his injury in November, he was contributing offensively while providing veteran leadership to a young team. His ability to perform in clutch situations remained a key asset to the Islanders’ offense. Despite his injury setback, Palmieri had shown consistent production throughout the season, demonstrating his value to the organization both on and off the ice.