Brandon Tanev (born December 31, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a left winger for the Utah Mammoth of the National Hockey League (NHL). Known for his tenacious forechecking, physical presence, and shot-blocking ability, Tanev has built a reputation as a reliable two-way forward throughout his NHL career. He previously played for the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken before joining Utah in 2025. Tanev made his NHL debut in 2016 following a distinguished four-year collegiate career at Providence College, where he helped capture the school’s first-ever NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship in 2015.
Brandon Tanev Bio
Brandon Tanev was born on December 31, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is the middle child of Mike and Sophie Tanev and grew up alongside his two brothers, Christopher and Kyle. From an early age, all three brothers pursued ice hockey, with Brandon spending his minor hockey years with the Toronto Young Nationals of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Both Brandon and his older brother Christopher were cut from their respective minor hockey teams at age 15 for being undersized, a setback that temporarily derailed Brandon’s hockey aspirations.
During his time away from competitive hockey, Tanev focused on cross country running, track and field, and soccer while training separately with a private skills coach to refine his skating. After experiencing a significant growth spurt during his senior year at East York Collegiate Institute, Tanev earned a roster spot with the Markham Waxers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). In his debut season with Markham, he recorded 16 goals and 42 points in 46 regular-season games, earning the team’s rookie of the year honor. He subsequently joined the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he contributed 11 goals in 58 games during the 2012-13 season.
Path to Professional Hockey
Despite going undrafted by NHL teams, Tanev attracted attention from college programs and committed to play for the Providence Friars of the Hockey East conference beginning in the 2012-13 season. He quickly became a key contributor for Providence, developing into a reliable two-way forward. His most significant collegiate achievement came during the 2014-15 season when he played a pivotal role in leading the Friars to their first NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship in school history. Tanev scored the championship-winning goal against Boston University in the title game, a 4-3 victory that capped an remarkable tournament run. He also delivered clutch empty-net goals during the regional finals against Miami and Denver, helping Providence advance to the Frozen Four.
Tanev continued his strong play during his senior season, contributing to Providence capturing its first Hockey East regular-season championship title. He finished his collegiate career with 35 goals and 42 assists in 149 games, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished players in Friars history. Upon graduating from Providence College in 2016, Tanev signed a professional contract with the Winnipeg Jets, transitioning directly from college hockey to the NHL.
Brandon Tanev Career
Early Career (2016-2019)
Tanev joined the Winnipeg Jets for the final three games of the 2015-16 season, making his NHL debut on April 5, 2016. He opened the following season with Winnipeg, securing a spot on the opening-night roster out of training camp. On November 4, 2016, Tanev scored the first two goals of his NHL career in a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. However, he struggled to find consistent production throughout his rookie season, managing just two goals and two assists through 35 games before being assigned to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL). He spent the remainder of the season shuttling between Winnipeg and Manitoba, appearing in 51 NHL games and 23 AHL games while adapting to the professional level.
The 2017-18 season marked Tanev’s emergence as a reliable NHL contributor. He spent the year on a checking line with Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp, establishing himself as a strong penalty-killer and physical presence. On March 27, 2018, Tanev recorded his first NHL hat-trick, scoring three goals in a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory against the Boston Bruins. He finished the regular season with 18 points in 61 games before making his playoff debut. During the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Tanev contributed four goals and six points in 17 games, helping the Jets advance to the Western Conference Finals before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights.
The following season saw Tanev set career highs across multiple categories. Playing in 80 games during the 2018-19 campaign, he recorded 14 goals, 15 assists, and 29 points while accumulating 278 hits and 81 blocked shots, demonstrating his all-around effectiveness and willingness to sacrifice his body for the team.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2019-2021)
On July 1, 2019, Tanev signed a lucrative six-year, $21 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as a free agent. He wasted no time making an impact with his new team, scoring a shorthanded overtime goal against the Colorado Avalanche on October 16, 2019, joining Mario Lemieux as the only two players in Penguins franchise history to accomplish that feat. Throughout the 2019-20 season, Tanev served as a key member of a checking line alongside Teddy Blueger and Zach Aston-Reese, tasked with neutralizing opposing teams’ top scorers while providing energy and physicality. He was on pace to become the first Penguins forward since Brooks Orpik in 2008-09 to record 300 or more hits before the NHL season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When play resumed in the Toronto quarantine bubble for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, Tanev and the Penguins suffered an early exit, losing to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round.
The 2020-21 season proved frustrating for Tanev due to multiple upper-body injuries that limited him to just 32 games. He was ejected from a game against the Boston Bruins in March 2021 following a hit on Jarred Tinordi and subsequently suffered another injury just days later, forcing him to miss the remainder of the regular season. He returned for the Penguins’ playoff series against the New York Islanders and scored the game-winning goal in Game 3, but Pittsburgh was eliminated in six games.
Seattle Kraken (2021-2022)
Tanev was selected by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft on July 21, 2021, becoming one of the inaugural members of the new franchise. He quickly became a fan favorite in Seattle, known for his energy, grit, and relentless work ethic. On October 14, 2021, Tanev scored two goals in the Kraken’s first franchise victory, a 4-3 win against the Nashville Predators. He followed this with another two-goal performance on October 26 in Seattle’s first home victory at Climate Pledge Arena, a 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. However, his season took a devastating turn on December 18, 2021, when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a game against the Edmonton Oilers. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season, ending his campaign with nine goals in 30 games. During his recovery, Tanev remained active with the organization, participating in youth hockey clinics and connecting with fans through virtual season-ticket holder meetings.
Utah Mammoth Era (2025-Present)
On March 7, 2025, Tanev was traded back to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. He departed Winnipeg as a free agent shortly thereafter and signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the Utah Mammoth on July 1, 2025. Joining the NHL’s newest franchise, Tanev brings his experience, leadership, and physical style of play to help establish the team’s identity and culture.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tanev is renowned for his tenacious forechecking, high-energy style, and willingness to engage physically along the boards and in front of the net. His speed allows him to pressure opposing defensemen and create turnovers in the attacking zone. Perhaps his most distinguishing trait is his readiness to block shots, sacrificing his body to kill penalties and protect leads. Throughout his career, he has consistently ranked among league leaders in hits and blocked shots among forwards. His defensive acumen and penalty-killing ability make him a valuable asset on any roster, while his motor and character provide intangible benefits to team culture and locker room dynamics.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tanev’s career has featured several memorable moments, including his game-winning goal in the 2015 NCAA Championship game, his first NHL hat-trick against the Boston Bruins in 2018, and his shorthanded overtime goal as a Penguin that placed him alongside Mario Lemieux in the franchise record book. His two-goal performances in the Seattle Kraken’s inaugural victories marked him as an instant cult hero with the fan base. His ability to deliver in clutch situations and his relentless effort have made him a consistent presence in high-stakes moments throughout his career.
Brandon Tanev Career Wins
Tanev has established himself as a durable and consistent contributor throughout his NHL career, accumulating meaningful statistics across multiple seasons and teams while providing reliable two-way play and physical presence.
NHL Highlights
Tanev’s most productive NHL seasons came during his initial tenure with the Winnipeg Jets. From 2016 through 2019, he appeared in over 200 games with Winnipeg, developing from a rookie into a dependable checking-line forward. His 2018-19 season represented his career best, as he set personal highs in goals (14), assists (15), and points (29) while emerging as one of the league’s most physical forwards. His memorable hat-trick against the Boston Bruins in March 2018 showcased his ability to contribute offensively while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. During his time with the Penguins from 2019 to 2021, Tanev continued to provide steady two-way play, recording 11 goals in his first full season with Pittsburgh. His brief tenure with the Seattle Kraken was cut short by injury, but he managed nine goals in 30 games, including multiple multi-goal performances during the team’s inaugural season.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to his professional career, Tanev’s most significant championship came at the collegiate level with Providence College in 2015. His championship-winning goal against Boston University secured the Friars’ first NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship in program history. He was instrumental throughout the tournament, delivering clutch goals in the regional finals to propel Providence to the Frozen Four. Internationally, Tanev represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, recording four goals and five points in 10 tournament games as Canada finished in fourth place.
Brandon Tanev Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Tanev comes from a family deeply rooted in hockey. His older brother, Christopher Tanev, is also a professional defenseman who has played in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Their younger brother, Kyle, also pursued hockey, playing for various junior teams in Ontario. All three brothers began their hockey journeys together in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Despite both Brandon and Christopher being cut from minor hockey at age 15, they persisted and ultimately both reached the NHL, a testament to their dedication and resilience. The Tanev family is of Macedonian descent, with their grandparents having been born in Macedonia.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Tanev has been an advocate for mental health awareness within the NHL. While with the Winnipeg Jets in 2018 and 2019, he participated in the HockeyTalks campaign in Manitoba, promoting open conversations about mental health and available resources. In 2022, he joined several Seattle Kraken teammates in partnering with Premera Blue Cross for their own HockeyTalks initiative, continuing his commitment to breaking stigma and supporting mental wellness in sports. Tanev has also been active in community outreach, participating in youth hockey clinics during his recovery from injury and engaging with fans through various team events. His popular “stunned face” expression from his Pittsburgh Penguins official headshot became an internet meme in 2020, with Tanev humorously attributing it to seeing a ghost during the photo shoot.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season marked a transitional year for Tanev as he prepared for his new role with the Utah Mammoth. While he did not play extensively during the season due to roster circumstances, he remained active with the organization, participating in team activities and fan engagement events. His experience and veteran presence were valuable assets as the franchise established its culture and identity in its inaugural season. The organization benefited from his leadership qualities and professional approach during this building phase.
Tanev’s integration with Utah beginning in the 2025-26 season represents an opportunity for him to contribute to a new franchise’s foundation. His track record of providing energy, physicality, and defensive reliability should translate well to helping the Mammoth establish a competitive identity. The coaching staff anticipated using his checking-line abilities and penalty-killing skills while benefiting from his championship experience and veteran presence in the locker room. As he enters this new chapter with Utah, Tanev remains focused on the qualities that have defined his career: relentless effort, team-first mentality, and consistent performance at both ends of the ice.