Chris Driedger Bio
Chris Driedger is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender born on May 18, 1994, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A free agent, he most recently played with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Driedger was drafted 76th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut in 2015. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his skills at both the NHL and international levels, playing for several teams including the Florida Panthers and the Seattle Kraken. In 2022, he helped Team Canada secure a silver medal at the IIHF World Championship.
Early Life and Background
Chris Driedger was born on May 18, 1994, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to parents Cindy and Kelly Driedger. Growing up in Winnipeg, he played bantam and midget ice hockey for the Winnipeg Monarchs organization. His exceptional play at these levels caught the attention of major junior scouts, leading to his selection in the 2009 WHL bantam draft.
While playing major junior hockey, Driedger was enrolled at St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg and also competed in track and field. This balance between athletics and academics helped develop the discipline and work ethic that would serve him throughout his hockey career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Driedger was drafted 80th overall by the Tri-City Americans in the 2009 WHL bantam draft. After one season with the Americans, he was acquired by the Calgary Hitmen in an off-season trade. His time with the Hitmen proved transformative, as he developed into one of the Western Hockey League’s top goaltenders. During the 2012-13 season, Driedger was named the WHL Goaltender of the Month for November and led the Hitmen to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
His most notable achievement in junior hockey came on February 1, 2014, when he became the sixth goaltender in WHL history and the first in Hitmen franchise history to be credited with scoring a goal. He also became the Hitmen’s all-time saves leader, surpassing Martin Jones’s record of 3,374 saves. Driedger completed his major junior career with 170 regular season WHL games played and a record of 94-46-15, including eight shutouts.
Following his outstanding junior career, Driedger was ranked 13th among North American goaltending prospects eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected 76th overall by the Ottawa Senators, making him the only WHL goaltender claimed in that draft.
Chris Driedger Career
Ottawa Senators Organization (2014-2021)
On April 1, 2014, Driedger signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. He began his professional career with the Senators’ ECHL affiliate, the Elmira Jackals, where he made his professional debut on April 4, 2014, stopping 30 shots in a 5-1 win over the Orlando Solar Bears. After the ECHL season ended, he was called up to the AHL’s Binghamton Senators, making his AHL debut on April 19 in a 4-2 win over the Norfolk Admirals.
During the 2014-15 season, Driedger continued developing with the Evansville IceMen, the Senators’ new ECHL affiliate. He recorded his first professional shutout on November 19, 2014, in a 3-0 win over the Greenville Road Warriors. On March 26, 2015, Driedger made his NHL debut with Ottawa against the New York Rangers, entering the game in relief and making ten saves. With Binghamton that season, he went 6-0-0 in eight games with a 2.55 GAA and .923 save percentage.
Driedger spent the next several seasons bouncing between the AHL and NHL with the Senators organization. He was named to the Belleville Senators’ opening night roster for the 2017-18 season and continued refining his craft in the American Hockey League.
Florida Panthers (2018-2021)
On July 3, 2018, Driedger signed a one-year AHL contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the affiliate of the Florida Panthers. During the 2018-19 season, he initially split time between the Thunderbirds and the Manchester Monarchs before solidifying his role in the AHL. On January 19, 2019, he made 40 saves in a 3-0 shutout win over the Hartford Wolf Pack. After 16 appearances with Springfield, Driedger was signed to an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers for the remainder of the season on February 24, 2019.
His outstanding AHL performance earned him a two-year contract extension on April 30, 2019. During the 2019-20 season, Driedger made his first career NHL start on November 30, 2019, against the Nashville Predators, recording 27 saves in a 3-0 shutout win. He represented the Thunderbirds at the AHL All-Star Classic and finished the season with an impressive 7-2-1 record, 2.05 GAA, and .938 save percentage in 11 NHL starts.
For the 2020-21 season, Driedger became the Panthers’ full-time backup goaltender to Sergei Bobrovsky. He posted a 2.07 GAA, .927 save percentage, and three shutouts in 23 starts. On May 18, 2021, he made his first NHL playoff start in Game 2 of the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording 26 saves in a 3-1 loss.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021-2024)
On July 21, 2021, Driedger signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Seattle Kraken during the expansion team’s exclusive signing window. He counted as the Kraken’s selection from the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. Although initially expected to be the Kraken’s starting goaltender, the signing of Philipp Grubauer relegated Driedger to a backup role.
His first season with the Kraken was hampered by injuries. Despite this, he recorded his first shutout with the team on April 29, 2022, making saves in a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He finished the season with a 9-14-1 record, 2.96 GAA, and .899 save percentage.
During the off-season following the 2021-22 campaign, Driedger suffered an injury while playing for Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Championship. This injury required surgery and kept him out of play for seven to nine months. Upon returning on February 23, 2023, he was assigned to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken’s AHL affiliate.
Driedger played a key role in helping the Firebirds reach the Calder Cup Finals in 2024, losing in Game 6 to the Hershey Bears. He recorded his first playoff shutout on May 10, 2024, making 31 saves in a 3-0 victory that clinched a series. During the regular season with the Firebirds, he went 24-7-7 with a 2.26 GAA and .917 save percentage.
Return to Florida and Recent Moves (2024-2025)
As a free agent at the conclusion of his Kraken contract, Driedger returned to the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2024, signing a one-year, $795,000 contract. He was part of the Panthers’ opening day roster alongside Sergei Bobrovsky but was assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL on October 9, 2024.
On March 6, 2025, Driedger was traded to his hometown Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Kaapo Kahkonen. He was assigned to the Jets’ AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, where he played five games with a 3.30 GAA and .872 save percentage.
On June 17, 2025, Driedger signed a one-year contract to play for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL. He recorded his first KHL shutout on September 18, making 33 saves in a victory over Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Through 23 games with the team, he achieved a 3.05 GAA and .897 save percentage before mutually terminating his contract on November 23, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Driedger is known for his calm demeanor in the crease and excellent positioning. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, he uses his size effectively to close down angles and block high-quality scoring chances. His athleticism and quick glove hand have allowed him to steal games for his teams on numerous occasions. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to bounce back from adversity, including recovering from serious injuries to continue performing at a high level.
International Career
Driedger represented Canada West at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, playing four games with a 3.26 GAA and .880 save percentage. Eleven years later, he joined Team Canada for the 2022 IIHF World Championship. He took over as the starting goaltender after an injury to the original starter and played six games, posting a 4-2 record with a 1.76 GAA and .915 save percentage. He was injured midway through the final against Finland, where Canada earned the silver medal following an overtime loss.
Chris Driedger Career Statistics
Driedger has built a solid professional career spanning multiple leagues and international competitions. His most successful NHL season came with the Florida Panthers in 2020-21, when he posted a .927 save percentage. At the AHL level, he has been consistently strong, including a league-leading .924 save percentage with the Springfield Thunderbirds in 2018-19 and helping the Coachella Valley Firebirds reach the Calder Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons.
Chris Driedger Family
Family Background
Driedger was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to parents Cindy and Kelly Driedger. His hometown has played a significant role in his career, as he was later traded to the Winnipeg Jets in March 2025, allowing him to play for his hometown team.
Personal Life
Driedger maintains a strong connection to his Winnipeg roots. In October 2021, The Players’ Tribune published a piece he wrote explaining his career path and expressing gratitude to the Seattle Kraken organization and fans for giving him another opportunity at the NHL level. He is known among teammates and coaches for his professionalism and work ethic.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Driedger as he ventured into European hockey for the first time. After signing with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL in June 2025, he made an immediate impact by recording a shutout in his second appearance with the team. Through his first 23 games with Chelyabinsk, he demonstrated the consistency that has characterized his career, posting a 3.05 GAA and .897 save percentage.
Despite his solid individual statistics, the mutual termination of his contract in November 2025 indicated a desire for a new opportunity. As a veteran goaltender with extensive NHL and international experience, Driedger remains a valuable asset for any team seeking an experienced netminder capable of performing in high-pressure situations.