Noel Acciari Bio
Noel Acciari is an American professional ice hockey center who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League. Born on December 1, 1991, in Johnston, Rhode Island, Acciari has built a reputation as a versatile, physical forward capable of contributing in all situations throughout his professional career. After going undrafted, he signed with the Boston Bruins in 2015 and has since established himself as a reliable two-way player across multiple NHL franchises. Acciari is perhaps best known for his tenacious defensive play, penalty-killing ability, and the grit he brings to every shift. He is married to Kaitlyn Chisholm and the couple has three children together.
Early Life and Background
Acciari grew up in Johnston, Rhode Island, as the middle child of three brothers. His father is Michael Acciari and his mother is Edna Acciari. From an early age, Acciari demonstrated a passion for hockey, playing in the prestigious 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from South Shore. This formative international experience helped lay the foundation for his future development as a player.
Acciari attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, where he quickly made his mark. As a freshman in 2007, he contributed to the team winning the state championship. His leadership qualities emerged early, and he was named team captain during his senior year in 2009. After high school, Acciari continued his development at Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, playing for their team for two years before enrolling at Providence College.
Path to Professional Hockey
Acciari’s journey to professional hockey took shape at Providence College, where he played NCAA Division I hockey with the Providence Friars. He was named the team’s co-captain during his tenure, demonstrating the leadership abilities that would serve him well in his professional career. The pinnacle of his collegiate career came in 2015 when Acciari helped lead the Friars to their first-ever NCAA National Championship. His outstanding defensive play that season earned him recognition as the Hockey East Best Defensive Forward. Over three seasons with Providence, Acciari registered 32 goals, 33 assists, and 65 points across 113 games, establishing himself as a complete player capable of contributing in all three zones of the ice.
Noel Acciari Career
Boston Bruins (2015–2019)
As an undrafted free agent, Acciari signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on June 8, 2015. He began his professional career with Boston’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins, where he played 45 games during the 2015–16 season, scoring seven goals and 19 points. On March 1, 2016, Acciari received his first NHL call-up and made his NHL debut that night in a home game against the Calgary Flames. He registered his first NHL point on March 7, assisting on Brett Connolly’s goal in a 5–4 victory over the Florida Panthers.
The following season in 2016–17, Acciari made the Bruins roster out of training camp. After battling through injuries and assignments between Boston and Providence, he scored his first NHL goal on March 28, 2017, against goaltender Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators in a 4–1 Bruins victory. He made his NHL playoff debut on April 17, 2017, scoring his first playoff goal in the second period during a game against the Ottawa Senators. During the 2017–18 season, Acciari played a full season with Boston for the first time, appearing in 60 games and scoring ten goals. The Bruins reached the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, and Acciari contributed throughout their run to the second round.
In the 2018–19 season, Acciari appeared in 72 games with Boston, scoring six goals and 14 points. The Bruins advanced to the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals against the St. Louis Blues. Remarkably, Acciari played through a broken sternum and injured foot and hand during the playoffs, scoring two goals and four points in 19 playoff games as Boston fell to the Blues in the final.
Florida Panthers (2019–2022)
Following his tenure with the Bruins, Acciari signed a three-year, $5 million contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2019. Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon praised his versatile play and physicality, noting that Acciari would excel in taking difficult defensive zone faceoffs, killing penalties, and providing energy on the fourth line. He made his Panthers debut in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning and scored his first goal with Florida on October 5, also against Tampa Bay.
Acciari enjoyed his most productive statistical season with the Panthers during the 2019–20 campaign. On December 16, he recorded his first career hat trick, scoring three goals in a 6–1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Just four days later, he scored another hat trick in a 7–4 win over the Dallas Stars. During that game, he was awarded a penalty shot and converted it for his third goal, becoming only the second player in franchise history after Pavel Bure in 2001 to record hat tricks in consecutive games. Acciari finished the abbreviated 2019–20 season with a career-best 20 goals and 27 points through 66 games before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He continued with the Panthers through the 2021–22 season. Although his season was interrupted by a pectoral injury requiring surgery, Acciari returned to contribute 20 games, scoring three goals and eight points as the Panthers won the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history. He appeared in nine playoff games during that postseason.
St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs (2022–2023)
After his contract with Florida expired, Acciari signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 13, 2022. He made his Blues debut in the season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets and scored his first goal with St. Louis on October 29 against Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens. He recorded 10 goals and eight assists in 54 games during the 2022–23 season.
On February 17, 2023, Acciari and forward Ryan O’Reilly were traded by the Blues to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Wild. The Maple Leafs acquired Acciari to strengthen their bottom six forward group. He made his Maple Leafs debut on February 18 in a 5–1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens and scored his first goal with Toronto the following night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Acciari finished with four goals and five points in 23 regular-season games with Toronto, emerging as one of their key penalty killers. He scored the game-winning goal in Toronto’s final regular-season game on April 13 against the New York Rangers.
During the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Acciari broke a 25-game playoff goalless drought when he scored the opening goal in Toronto’s Game 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Maple Leafs eliminated the Lightning in the first round before being defeated by the Florida Panthers in the second round. Acciari registered two goals in 11 playoff games for Toronto.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2023–Present)
As an unrestricted free agent from the Maple Leafs, Acciari signed a three-year, $6 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2023. He made his Penguins debut in the 2023–24 season opener on October 10 against the Chicago Blackhawks. He registered his first point for Pittsburgh on November 4, assisting on Matt Nieto’s goal in a victory over the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first goal for the team in a 3–0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.
On February 8, 2024, Acciari suffered a concussion when he was struck in the head by Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon during a game against the Winnipeg Jets. Dillon received a three-game suspension for the hit. Acciari returned to the lineup on February 22 after missing six games due to the concussion. He appeared in 55 games during the 2023–24 season, scoring four goals and seven points as the Penguins missed the playoffs.
Driving Style and Strengths
Acciari is known for his relentless work ethic, physical presence, and ability to excel in defensive situations. His strengths include strong faceoff ability, effective penalty-killing skills, and the versatility to play up and down the lineup. He brings energy and accountability to every shift, making him a valuable asset for any team seeking a reliable two-way forward capable of matching up against opponent top lines while contributing offensively in spurts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Acciari has achieved several notable milestones. His collegiate championship with Providence College in 2015 marked the school’s first-ever NCAA National Championship. The consecutive hat tricks he recorded with Florida in December 2019 stand as a remarkable statistical achievement, accomplished while also recording a penalty-shot goal. His grit was perhaps never more evident than during the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals when he played through multiple injuries including a broken sternum. His game-winning goal for Toronto in the final regular-season game of 2023 demonstrated his clutch performance in pressure situations.
Noel Acciari Career Wins
Acciari has compiled solid offensive statistics across his nine NHL seasons while earning recognition for his defensive contributions at every level. His most productive NHL season came in 2019–20 with Florida when he scored a career-high 20 goals. He has recorded multiple hat tricks and established himself as a reliable contributor in both regular season and playoff competition.
NHL Highlights
Over his NHL career spanning parts of nine seasons, Acciari has appeared in approximately 400 games with career totals exceeding 60 goals. His 2019–20 season with Florida represented his breakthrough offensive campaign, as he set career highs with 20 goals and 27 points while playing a physical, two-way game. The back-to-back hat tricks against Ottawa and Dallas showcased his finishing ability and nose for the net. In the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals with Boston, he demonstrated exceptional toughness by competing through serious injuries. His playoff career includes memorable moments such as scoring the opening goal for Toronto in their 2023 first-round upset of Tampa Bay.
Other Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Acciari’s most significant team achievement was capturing the 2015 NCAA National Championship with Providence College, the first in school history. He earned Hockey East Best Defensive Forward honors that same season and served as team co-captain. In high school, he helped Bishop Hendricken win a state championship as a freshman in 2007.
Noel Acciari Family
Family Background
Acciari was born to Michael and Edna Acciari and grew up as the middle child of three brothers in Johnston, Rhode Island. His hockey background and family support helped shape his path from youth hockey in Rhode Island to the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Acciari married Kaitlyn Chisholm on July 14, 2018, in Rhode Island. The couple has since welcomed three children together. Acciari continues to maintain strong connections to his Rhode Island roots, having met his wife in their home state. His family life remains relatively private despite his public professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2024–25 NHL season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Acciari continues to provide the grinding, physical style of play that has defined his career. Now in his second season with the Penguins following his three-year, $6 million contract signed in July 2023, he remains a valuable piece of the team’s bottom-six forward group. After missing playoff contention in his first season with Pittsburgh, Acciari looks to help the veteran-laden Penguins return to postseason hockey. His experience from playing deep playoff runs with Boston and contributing to championship-caliber teams provides a winning mentality that Pittsburgh seeks as they aim to remain competitive around their core veterans. Working alongside his new teammates and coaches, Acciari’s penalty-killing abilities and defensive reliability continue to make him an important asset for the Penguins’ coaching staff as they navigate the challenges of the Metropolitan Division.