Austin Watson Bio
Austin Watson is an American professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Born on January 13, 1992, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Watson was selected 18th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Over his professional career spanning from 2011 to present, Watson has established himself as a dedicated bottom-six forward known for his physical play and defensive reliability. He has represented three NHL franchises including the Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, and Tampa Bay Lightning before joining the Detroit Red Wings organization in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Austin Watson was born on January 13, 1992, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was raised by his parents Mike and Mary Watson. He grew up as the oldest of ten children, with nine boys and one girl in the family. Watson attended Detroit Catholic Central High School for one year before transferring to Father Gabriel Richard High School, where he also played for the high school golf team that competed in the state finals. Prior to being drafted into the Ontario Hockey League, Watson attended St. Anne’s High School after being traded to the Peterborough Petes, finishing his high school education there.
As a youth hockey player, Watson participated in the 2005 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors minor ice hockey team. He verbally committed to play college hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears before ultimately choosing to pursue his professional dreams through the OHL route instead.
Path to Professional Hockey
Watson was selected by the Windsor Spitfires in the second round, 36th overall, in the OHL Draft. His rookie season with the Spitfires showed promise despite a mid-season slump, as he recorded 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 total points. He added 3 assists in 20 playoff games during that inaugural OHL campaign. Watson’s development accelerated with Windsor, and he played a key role in helping the Spitfires capture the OHL’s J. Ross Robertson Cup and the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup championship in the 2009-10 season. That Spitfires team made history by becoming the first team to ever come back from fourth place in the finals to win the Memorial Cup, marking the first championship for the franchise.
On January 11, 2010, Watson was traded to the Peterborough Petes, where he received increased playing time on a younger team. He participated in the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game for Team Cherry, though he suffered a broken ankle blocking a shot and missed approximately a month of the season. His strong performance throughout the draft year led to his ranking jumping from 25th according to the International Scouting Service to 14th in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings, ultimately being selected 18th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Austin Watson Career
London Knights and Junior Success (2011-2012)
On January 9, 2012, Watson was traded from the Peterborough Petes to the London Knights in exchange for Chase Hatcher and several draft picks. The move proved transformative for his career. Watson won his second J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Knights during the 2011-12 season, and his exceptional playoff performance earned him the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as OHL Playoff MVP. This achievement made Watson the first American to win OHL Playoff MVP honors in the league’s history. The Knights also competed in the Memorial Cup tournament that year but lost to the Shawinigan Cataractes in the championship game.
Nashville Predators (2011-2020)
Watson began his professional career during the 2012-13 season with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s American Hockey League affiliate, scoring 37 points in 72 games. He made his NHL debut that season, appearing in six games for the Predators and scoring his first career NHL goal against Mikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames on April 23, 2013. Watson became a regular in the Predators lineup during the 2015-16 NHL season, suiting up for 57 games.
The 2016-17 season proved to be a significant year as Watson skated in 77 games, scoring 17 points. More importantly, he contributed 4 goals and 9 points in 22 playoff games as Nashville reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history, ultimately falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. On July 24, 2017, the Predators re-signed Watson to a three-year, $3.3 million contract. The following seasons saw Watson’s role evolve as a bottom-six forward, and on October 31, 2019, he signed a three-year contract extension with Nashville. Watson played 53 games in the 2019-20 season, scoring 6 goals and 14 points before the NHL season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ottawa Senators (2020-2023)
Watson’s tenure with Nashville ended when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators on October 10, 2020, in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. He made his Senators debut on January 15, 2021, scoring his first goal with the team in a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Watson served primarily as a fourth-line winger and penalty-kill specialist during his time in Ottawa. However, his 2020-21 season was cut short when he suffered a hand injury blocking a shot against the Calgary Flames on March 22, limiting him to just 34 games with 3 goals and 10 points.
The 2021-22 season saw Watson return from injury in November and finish with 10 goals and 16 points in 67 games. His final season with Ottawa in 2022-23 produced 9 goals and 11 points in 75 games, including 3 shorthanded goals. After three seasons with the Senators, Watson departed as an unrestricted free agent.
Tampa Bay Lightning (2023-2024)
Following his release from Ottawa, Watson signed a professional tryout contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on August 24, 2023, to prepare for the 2023-24 season. He successfully made the Lightning roster out of training camp and signed a one-year contract on October 9. Watson made his Lightning debut against his former team, the Ottawa Senators, in a 5-2 loss on October 15. He scored his first goal with Tampa Bay against Jeremy Swayman in a 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on November 20. Watson appeared in 33 games with the Lightning, recording 2 goals and 4 points, before leaving as an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2024-Present)
On August 29, 2024, Watson accepted an invitation to attend the Detroit Red Wings training camp on a professional tryout basis. Following a strong preseason performance, he signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings on October 7, 2024. After going unclaimed on waivers, Watson was initially assigned to Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before being recalled to the NHL roster on October 14. He made his Red Wings debut that night in a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers. Watson appeared in 13 games with Detroit during the 2024-25 season, recording 3 goals, while spending the majority of his time with Grand Rapids where he recorded 19 goals and 42 points in 60 games. On March 5, 2025, Watson signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Detroit, securing his place in the organization through the 2025-26 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Austin Watson has built his professional career as a reliable bottom-six forward known for his physical presence and defensive reliability. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 204 pounds, he brings size and strength to the ice. Watson has developed a reputation as an effective penalty-kill specialist throughout his NHL career, regularly logging minutes in challenging defensive situations. His right-handed shot and skating ability allow him to contribute in various forward positions, while his experience as a veteran presence provides leadership to younger players in the lineup.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Watson has achieved several notable milestones including winning Memorial Cup championships with two different OHL franchises. His selection as the first American to win the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as OHL Playoff MVP in 2012 stands as a significant achievement in junior hockey history. Watson also contributed to the Nashville Predators’ historic run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, logging important playoff minutes during the franchise’s breakthrough season.
Austin Watson Career Wins
Watson’s career includes multiple championship victories at the junior level, international success with Team USA, and sustained NHL presence across multiple organizations.
Junior Hockey Highlights
At the Ontario Hockey League level, Watson captured two J. Ross Robertson Cup championships, first with the Windsor Spitfires in 2009-10 and then with the London Knights in 2011-12. His Spitfires team also won the Canadian Hockey League Memorial Cup that same year, with Watson serving as a key contributor to both championship runs. His individual excellence in the 2012 playoffs earned him the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the most valuable player during the OHL postseason.
International Achievements
Watson represented the United States at the 2010 World U18 Hockey Championships, where the American team captured the gold medal. He also played for the US national under-18 select team at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where he tied the US record for most points in a single game despite the team not winning the tournament.
Austin Watson Family
Family Background
Austin Watson was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Mike and Mary Watson. He grew up as the oldest of ten siblings, with nine boys and one girl in the family. This large family environment shaped Watson’s competitive nature and team-oriented mentality from an early age.
Personal Life
Watson is married to Jenn Watson, formerly Jenn Guardino, whom he married in Nashville in mid-2023. The couple has two daughters together. Watson’s wife has been open about her struggles with alcoholism and her recovery journey, which became public during a 2018 legal matter. The couple has worked through challenges together and built a stable family life despite the demands of professional hockey schedules.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season saw Austin Watson split time between the Detroit Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Watson demonstrated strong offensive production with Grand Rapids, recording 19 goals and 42 points in 60 games with the Griffins. His brief NHL appearances with Detroit produced 3 goals in 13 games, showing he could still contribute at the highest level when called upon. The Red Wings organization rewarded his consistency by signing him to a contract extension in March 2025, indicating confidence in his veteran leadership and two-way play as the team continues its development trajectory.