Angus Crookshank Bio
Angus Crookshank is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League. Born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, on October 2, 1999, Crookshank was selected 126th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He has developed into a reliable scoring presence at the AHL level and continues to pursue his dream of establishing himself as a full-time NHL player.
Early Life and Background
Angus Crookshank grew up in North Vancouver, British Columbia, where he began his hockey journey at a young age. Like many Canadian players, he developed his skills through minor hockey before advancing to junior-level competition. His passion for the game and natural talent became evident early in his development, setting the foundation for his future career in professional hockey.
While specific details about his family background remain private, Crookshank’s Canadian upbringing placed him in an ideal environment for developing elite hockey skills. British Columbia has a rich tradition of producing talented hockey players, and Crookshank benefited from the province’s strong minor hockey infrastructure and competitive leagues.
Path to Professional Hockey
Before turning professional, Crookshank played junior hockey with the Langley Rivermen of the British Columbia Hockey League. The BCHL is widely recognized as one of the top junior A hockey leagues in Canada, serving as a stepping stone for players hoping to earn college scholarships or move directly to professional hockey. His performance with the Rivermen helped him attract attention from college programs across the United States.
Following his junior career, Crookshank committed to play for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, one of the premier college hockey programs in the United States. He spent three seasons with the Wildcats from 2018 to 2021, competing in the Hockey East conference against some of the best collegiate teams in the nation. During his college career, he scored 35 goals and recorded 63 points in 90 games, demonstrating consistent offensive production. In his final season with New Hampshire, Crookshank earned recognition as a Third Team Hockey East All-Star, validating his status as one of the top players in the conference.
Angus Crookshank Career
Draft and Early Professional Career (2018–2022)
Although Crookshank was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he did not begin his professional career immediately. He returned to college for three additional seasons to complete his development before signing his first professional contract. This patient approach allowed him to mature physically and mentally while continuing to refine his game at the collegiate level.
After completing his third year with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, Crookshank signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators on March 17, 2021. He was immediately assigned to the Belleville Senators, Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate, for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. The 2021-22 season showed promise early, but Crookshank suffered a devastating season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury during training camp. This injury forced him to miss the entire campaign, a significant setback in his early professional development.
NHL Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Crookshank returned to action with the Belleville Senators for the 2022-23 season and immediately demonstrated his scoring ability. He led the team with 26 goals and recorded 47 points in 71 games, finishing fourth overall on the team in scoring. This strong comeback season rebuilt his confidence and established him as a legitimate NHL prospect within the Senators organization.
The 2023-24 season marked a major milestone in Crookshank’s career when he received his first NHL call-up. On December 16, 2023, Ottawa recalled him from Belleville due to injuries to forwards Mathieu Joseph and Rourke Chartier. He made his NHL debut the following day in a 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on December 17, 2023. In his second NHL game, Crookshank scored his first career NHL goal, beating Connor Ingram in a 4-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.
Throughout February 2024, Crookshank dominated at the AHL level, tallying eight goals and 14 points in just 12 games. His exceptional performance earned him AHL Player of the Month honors for February. He was also selected to represent Belleville at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic alongside teammate Maxence Guenette. He finished the season with 24 goals and 46 points in 50 games for Belleville before receiving another NHL recall in March. In his sixth game during this call-up, he suffered a lower-body injury that ended his season.
Ottawa Senators Era Continuation (2024–2025)
On June 12, 2024, Crookshank signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Ottawa Senators, demonstrating the organization’s continued belief in his potential. He began the 2024-25 season with the Belleville Senators. He received his first recall of the season on February 26, 2025, after injuries depleted Ottawa’s forward corps. He made his NHL season debut that night against the Winnipeg Jets and was returned to Belleville after the single game.
Crookshank was recalled again on April 1, 2025, when additional injuries affected the Senators’ lineup. He was placed on the fourth line with Adam Gaudette and Matthew Highmore. On April 13, 2025, he recorded his first point of the season, assisting on Thomas Chabot’s game-tying goal in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. He was returned to Belleville on April 16, having recorded one assist in eight games during this call-up.
New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers (2025–Present)
On July 1, 2025, Crookshank signed with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $1.55 million. This move represented a new chapter in his career, joining an organization with a different set of circumstances and opportunities. He was later traded to the Florida Panthers on June 30, 2026, as part of a major trade involving goaltender Jacob Markström. In that transaction, the Devils acquired Jesper Boqvist, Evan Rodrigues, and Ben Steeves from the Panthers in exchange for Crookshank and Markström.
Driving Style and Strengths
Crookshank plays the left wing position and shoots left-handed. His game is built around consistent scoring ability and offensive instincts. At the AHL level, he has proven to be a reliable goal scorer with the capacity to contribute at both even strength and on special teams. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to produce offensively against strong competition in the Hockey East conference. He brings energy and Competitiveness to his game, earning recognition as a team leader during his time with the Belleville Senators.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several key moments define Crookshank’s career trajectory. His NHL debut against the Vegas Golden Knights on December 17, 2023, marked the realization of his childhood dream of playing in the world’s top hockey league. Scoring his first NHL goal just two days later against the Arizona Coyotes provided an unforgettable memory. His AHL Player of the Month award in February 2024 highlighted his elite scoring ability at the minor-league level. The trade to the Florida Panthers in June 2026 represented a significant opportunity to compete for a Stanley Cup contender.
Angus Crookshank Career Statistics
Throughout his professional and collegiate career, Crookshank has demonstrated consistent offensive production at every level. His junior career with Langley Rivermen established him as a prospect worth drafting, while his three seasons at the University of New Hampshire proved he could score against strong collegiate competition. At the AHL level with Belleville Senators, he has emerged as a legitimate scoring threat, leading his team in goals during the 2022-23 season.
Amateur and College Statistics
During his three seasons with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats from 2018 to 2021, Crookshank appeared in 90 games and scored 35 goals with 63 total points. His final season with the Wildcats was his most productive, earning him Third Team Hockey East All-Star honors and establishing him as one of the top forwards in the conference.
Professional Career Highlights
At the AHL level, Crookshank has been a consistent scorer. In the 2022-23 season, he led the Belleville Senators with 26 goals and recorded 47 points in 71 games. During the 2023-24 season before his injury, he scored 24 goals and recorded 46 points in 50 games. In limited NHL action across multiple call-ups, he has recorded one goal and two points in seven games with the Ottawa Senators. His first NHL point came via an assist on April 13, 2025, against the Philadelphia Flyers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season represented a year of continued development for Crookshank. Splitting time between the Belleville Senators and Ottawa Senators, he worked to establish consistency at the NHL level while remaining a dominant scoring presence in the AHL. Multiple call-ups to the NHL allowed him to experience life in the top league while also providing valuable lessons about what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
His performance with Belleville kept him in the conversation for future NHL opportunities. The Senators organization continued to view him as part of their long-term plans, signing him to a one-year extension in June 2024. His first point of the NHL season against Philadelphia in April provided a positive note to end the campaign, even if his overall minutes remained limited during his call-ups.
Looking ahead, Crookshank’s move to the New Jersey Devils in July 2025 and subsequent trade to the Florida Panthers opened new opportunities. The Panthers have established themselves as a perennial contender, giving him a chance to compete for playoff success while continuing to develop his game at the NHL level.