Trent Frederic Bio
Trent Frederic is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. Born on February 11, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was selected 29th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Frederic began his NHL career with the Bruins in 2018 and spent seven seasons with the organization before being traded to the Oilers in March 2025. He signed an eight-year, $30.8 million contract extension with Edmonton in June 2025, securing his future with the franchise through 2033. Known as a versatile forward who can play center or wing, Frederic has established himself as a physical presence in the NHL with 221 career penalty minutes and a reputation for protecting his teammates.
Early Life and Background
Frederic was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, as a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Blues. His parents, Bob and Gaye Frederic, were dedicated Blues supporters, and Trent grew up watching players like Keith Tkachuk and David Backes. Frederic modeled his playing style after Backes, who would later become both his childhood idol and NHL teammate. Notably, Tkachuk’s sons Brady and Matthew practiced roller hockey in Frederic’s childhood basement, alongside future NHL players Logan Brown, Clayton Keller, and Luke Kunin.
Frederic played three sports throughout his childhood, each coached by former professionals. His hockey coaches included Tkachuk and Jeff Brown, former NHL players. His American football quarterback coach was Gus Frerotte, and former MLB catcher Mike Matheny coached him in Little League Baseball. This multi-sport upbringing helped develop his athletic versatility and competitive instincts before he focused primarily on hockey.
Path to Professional Hockey
Frederic attended De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis, where he excelled as a three-sport athlete until October 2013. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program noticed his talent at a minor ice hockey tournament and recruited him for their development program. He spent two years with USA Hockey from 2013 to 2015, appearing in 58 United States Hockey League games and recording seven goals and 12 assists for 19 total points. This experience prepared him for the next level of his hockey career.
On April 18, 2014, Frederic committed to play college ice hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers beginning in the 2016-17 season. Despite being drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2016, he honored his commitment to Wisconsin and spent two seasons with the Badgers. During his freshman year, he centered a line with Cameron Hughes and Luke Kunin and was named the Big Ten Conference’s Freshman of the Year, earning the Spike Carlson-Chris Chelios Award as the team’s most valuable player. He served as an alternate captain during his sophomore season before signing his entry-level contract with Boston.
Trent Frederic Career
Wisconsin Badgers (2016-2018)
Frederic made an immediate impact at Wisconsin, scoring his first collegiate goal on October 8, 2016, in a 6-5 victory over the Northern Michigan Wildcats. He recorded six points in his first four games and earned Big Ten Second Star of the Week honors after a four-point performance against Boston College. Although he broke his hand in practice in November, causing the team’s scoring average to drop significantly during his absence, Frederic finished the season second on the team with 15 goals and 33 points in 30 games. His outstanding freshman campaign earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors along with All-Big Ten Second Team and Freshman Team selections.
As a sophomore during the 2017-18 season, Frederic served as one of four alternate captains for the Badgers. He faced increased physical attention from opponents, which temporarily affected his production. Despite the challenges, he recorded two goals in the Big Ten tournament and finished the season with 17 goals and 32 points in 36 games. After the season concluded, Frederic signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins, ending his college career and beginning his professional journey.
Providence Bruins and Early NHL Years (2018-2021)
Frederic joined the Providence Bruins, Boston’s American Hockey League affiliate, on an amateur tryout contract following his college season. He made an immediate impact with five goals and eight points in 13 regular season games, adding an assist in three postseason contests. During the 2018-19 season, Frederic competed for the third-line center position in training camp but ultimately began the year in Providence. He received his first NHL call-up on January 29, 2019, and made his NHL debut that night against the Winnipeg Jets, skating alongside his childhood hero David Backes while receiving a five-minute major penalty for fighting Brandon Tanev.
The 2019-20 season saw Frederic split time between Providence and Boston, appearing in just two NHL games while dominating in the AHL. He scored eight goals and 32 points in 59 games for Providence while leading the league with 148 penalty minutes. When the NHL paused the season due to COVID-19, the Providence Bruins were on a 12-game winning streak. Frederic was selected for the playoff bubble in Toronto but contracted COVID-19 during training camp and could not participate in the postseason.
Boston Bruins Breakthrough (2020-2025)
The 2020-21 season marked Frederic’s emergence as an NHL regular. After establishing himself through physical play, he recorded his first NHL point on January 23, an assist against the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored his first NHL goal on February 21 during the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe game, also against Philadelphia. A mysterious illness in April derailed what was shaping up to be a strong rookie season, limiting him to just six more appearances. He finished the year with four goals and one assist in 42 games.
Frederic signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract extension on June 25, 2021, and continued developing his game with Boston. During the 2022-23 season under new head coach Jim Montgomery, Frederic simplified his approach after being told to “hunt and hit.” Moving from center to right wing on a line with Charlie Coyle and Taylor Hall, he set career highs with 17 goals and 31 points in 79 games. His confidence grew substantially, and he became more effective at drawing penalties while maintaining his physical identity.
The 2023-24 season proved to be Frederic’s best statistical year as a Bruin. With several core players departing, he took on an increased role and developed his speed throughout the season. He scored his first career power play goal on January 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Appearing in 81 of 82 games, Frederic established new career highs with 18 goals and 40 points. He earned the NESN 7th Player Award, given to the Bruin who exceeded fan expectations, crediting Montgomery for giving him confidence to play his game.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2025-Present)
On March 4, 2025, Frederic was traded to the Edmonton Oilers as part of a three-team deal that also involved Max Jones and prospect Petr Hauser. The Bruins received Max Wanner, a second-round draft pick, and a fourth-round pick, while the New Jersey Devils acquired prospect Shane Lachance. Frederic played his first game for the Oilers on April 5, 2025, against the Los Angeles Kings. He made an immediate impact in the playoffs, scoring his first goal as an Oiler on May 1 in Game 6 of the first-round series against the Kings. The goal proved to be the series-winner as Edmonton defeated Los Angeles 6-4 to advance to the second round.
On June 27, 2025, Frederic signed an eight-year, $30.8 million contract extension with the Oilers, securing his place with the franchise through the 2032-33 season. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his ability to contribute as a versatile forward capable of playing multiple positions while providing physicality and veteran experience to the lineup.
Playing Style and Strengths
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 220 pounds, Frederic has established himself as an effective physical presence in the NHL. A natural center, he has adapted his game to play both wing positions when needed, providing lineup flexibility for his coaches. His willingness to protect teammates has made him a respected figure in the locker room, and his ability to draw penalties through agitating opponents adds strategic value. Under coach Jim Montgomery’s guidance, he developed a more confident offensive game while maintaining his defensive responsibility and physical identity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Frederic achieved several significant milestones during his time in Boston. His first NHL goal at Lake Tahoe against the Flyers represented a breakthrough after an initial struggle to find his footing in the league. The 2023-24 season saw him set new career highs and earn recognition from fans through the 7th Player Award. His playoff heroics with Edmonton, scoring the series-winning goal against Los Angeles in his first postseason with the team, demonstrated his ability to elevate his game in crucial moments.
Trent Frederic Career Statistics
Frederic has built a consistent NHL career across seven seasons with the Bruins and Oilers, developing from a depth player into a reliable bottom-six forward capable of contributing offensively while maintaining his physical style of play. His career statistics reflect steady improvement, with his best seasons coming in his late twenties.
NHL Highlights
Across his NHL career, Frederic has appeared in over 300 regular season games, accumulating more than 50 goals and 120 points. His most productive seasons came with Boston during the 2023-24 campaign when he scored 18 goals and 40 points. In the 2022-23 season, he recorded 17 goals, his highest single-season goal total. His playoff experience includes appearances in the 2021 and 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Bruins, as well as the 2025 postseason with the Oilers.
International Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Frederic represented the United States at multiple international tournaments. He won a silver medal at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording one goal and one assist in six games. In 2016, he helped the United States capture a bronze medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships, scoring four goals and three assists including a hat-trick against Latvia. His most impressive international performance came at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he contributed five goals in seven games to earn another bronze medal, with four of those goals coming in the bronze medal game victory over the Czech Republic.
| Season | Team | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Boston Bruins | 81 | 18 | 22 | 40 |
| 2022-23 | Boston Bruins | 79 | 17 | 14 | 31 |
| 2021-22 | Boston Bruins | 60 | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| 2020-21 | Boston Bruins | 42 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Trent Frederic Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Frederic was born to Bob and Gaye Frederic in St. Louis, Missouri. Both parents were lifelong fans of the St. Louis Blues, instilling a passion for hockey in their son from an early age. Growing up in a hockey household provided Frederic with the support and environment needed to pursue a professional career in the sport.
Personal Life
Frederic has an older brother named Grant who also pursued a career in hockey. The brothers frequently competed against each other during their youth careers, with Trent playing for the USA National Team Development Program while Grant skated for the Green Bay Gamblers. Grant later spent four years playing college hockey for the Miami RedHawks before signing with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL in 2020. The Frederic brothers share a competitive bond that began in their childhood basement, where they practiced hitting each other on a makeshift roller rink.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition in Frederic’s career following his March trade to the Edmonton Oilers. After seven seasons with the Boston Bruins organization, he joined an Edmonton team with championship aspirations. His first regular season games with the Oilers came against Western Conference competition as he integrated into a new locker room and system under head coach Kris Knoblauch.
Frederic made an immediate playoff impact, scoring the series-winning goal in Game 6 of Edmonton’s first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. The goal demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and provided a glimpse of the physical, determined style that characterized his game throughout the season. Following his strong playoff performance, Frederic signed an eight-year extension worth $30.8 million, representing a long-term commitment from the Oilers organization.
Looking ahead, Frederic projects to be a fixture in Edmonton’s lineup for years to come. His versatility to play center or wing provides valuable roster flexibility, while his physical presence and willingness to protect teammates make him a valued component of the team’s identity. At 27 years old, he enters the prime years of his career with the security of a long-term contract and the opportunity to compete for Stanley Cup championships with one of the NHL’s top franchises.