Brett Kulak Bio
Brett Kulak is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 6, 1994, in Stony Plain, Alberta, Kulak was selected 105th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. After making his NHL debut in 2015, he went on to play for teams including the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers before joining the Penguins in December 2025. Known for his solid defensive play and ability to log significant minutes, Kulak has contributed to significant team performances throughout his career, including playoff runs with multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Kulak grew up on a farm near Stony Plain, Alberta, with his parents Gil and Laura and older brothers Tyson and Kyle. He played minor hockey with the Stony Plain and Spruce Grove Minor Hockey Association before beginning his junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL). His formative years in rural Alberta helped develop the work ethic and resilience that would define his professional career.
He was drafted 197th overall in the WHL Bantam Draft by the Vancouver Giants in 2009 and played four seasons of junior hockey with the Giants between 2010 and 2014. In 216 games with Vancouver, he scored 35 goals and added 93 assists, developing into a reliable two-way defenceman. His performance with the Giants caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Path to Professional Hockey
The Calgary Flames selected Kulak with their fourth-round pick, 105th overall, at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Following the conclusion of his WHL seasons in both 2012-13 and 2013-14, Kulak joined the Flames’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat, on amateur try-out agreements. He played four games in 2012-13 and six games in 2013-14, gaining valuable professional experience while completing his junior career.
On March 18, 2014, the Flames signed Kulak to a three-year, entry-level contract, officially beginning his professional career. He began the 2014-15 season with the ECHL’s Colorado Eagles before earning a promotion to the AHL’s Adirondack Flames. His strong play in the minors eventually earned him a recall to Calgary, where he made his NHL debut on April 11, 2015, in the Flames’ final regular season game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Brett Kulak Career
Calgary Flames (2014-2018)
Kulak spent his first four professional seasons with the Calgary Flames organization, appearing in limited NHL games while developing his game in the AHL. He recorded his first career point on October 18, 2016, assisting on Michael Frolik’s first-period goal in a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Kulak finished the 2016-17 season with 3 assists in 21 games, continuing to establish himself as a reliable defensive option.
On August 28, 2017, the Flames re-signed Kulak, who was a restricted free agent, to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000. After four seasons with the Flames organization, Kulak was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on October 1, 2018, in exchange for Matt Taormina and Rinat Valiev. He was subsequently assigned to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, to begin the 2018-19 season.
Montreal Canadiens (2018-2022)
Kulak was called up by the Canadiens in November 2018 after an injury to defenseman Noah Juulsen and immediately inserted into the lineup. On December 29, 2018, he scored his first goal for Montreal in a 5-6 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He scored his first game-winning goal in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on January 12, 2019, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively from the back end.
On May 25, 2019, the Canadiens signed Kulak to a three-year, $5.55 million contract extension with an annual average value of $1.85 million. Over the following seasons, Kulak typically played on the team’s third pairing while also seeing top-four minutes when injuries occurred. He was a key contributor during the Canadiens’ deep run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, appearing in all playoff rounds. With the Canadiens entering a period of team restructuring, there was speculation about his future with the organization. On March 19, 2022, he played his final game as a Canadien, scoring a goal in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Edmonton Oilers (2022-2025)
Kulak was traded to the Edmonton Oilers on March 21, 2022, in exchange for defenseman William Lagesson, a conditional second-round draft pick, and a seventh-round pick, with the Canadiens retaining 50% of his salary for the remainder of the season. He registered 2 goals and 6 assists in 18 regular season games to close out the 2021-22 season before the team entered the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs.
His contributions were well-received by the Oilers, and he played primarily as a pair with defenseman Tyson Barrie, credited with boosting Barrie’s effectiveness. Kulak notably missed the morning practice before Game 7 of the Oilers’ first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Kings as he was attending the birth of his daughter, but he participated in the game that night as the Oilers advanced to the second round. The Oilers reached the Western Conference Final, losing to the Colorado Avalanche in four games. Following the end of that season, Kulak signed a new four-year, $11 million contract with the Oilers.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2025-Present)
On December 12, 2025, following an inconsistent start to the Oilers’ season, the team traded Kulak, goaltender Stuart Skinner, and a 2029 second-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin. Kulak joined the Penguins looking to provide defensive depth and stability to their blueline as the team pushed for a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kulak is known as a steady, reliable defenceman who prioritizes defensive responsibility and positional play. His game is built around solid gap control, effective stickwork, and the ability to make quick, smart decisions with the puck. He is comfortable playing significant minutes against top opponents and brings a calm, composed presence to any defensive pairing. His style is well-suited for teams that value defensive structure and team-first hockey.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Kulak has been a consistent performer in high-pressure situations. His participation in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals with Montreal and the 2022 Western Conference Final with Edmonton highlighted his ability to elevate his play during playoff hockey. His milestone moments include his first NHL goal with Montreal, his game-winning goal against Colorado, and his memorable performance in Game 7 against Los Angeles shortly after the birth of his daughter.
Brett Kulak Career Statistics
Kulak has compiled over 500 career NHL games across his time with Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, and Pittsburgh. His career totals include double-digit goals and assists, with his most productive offensive seasons coming during his tenure with Montreal. Defensively, he has been a reliable presence, logging significant minutes and earning the trust of coaches in key situations.
Key Career Highlights
His career highlights include winning a gold medal with Canada at the 2013 World Junior Championship, his NHL debut with Calgary in 2015, and his first career goal with Montreal in December 2018. The deep playoff runs with both Montreal in 2021 and Edmonton in 2022 represent his most significant team achievements. His consistent performance has earned him long-term contracts and key roles on competitive teams throughout his career.
Other Notable Performances
Beyond his NHL career, Kulak’s four seasons in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants provided the foundation for his professional career. His junior performance, including 128 total points in 216 games, demonstrated the two-way ability that has made him a valuable NHL defenceman. His consistent play in all situations, including penalty killing and even-strength minutes, has made him a versatile asset for every team he has joined.
Brett Kulak Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Kulak grew up on a farm near Stony Plain, Alberta, with his parents Gil and Laura and older brothers Tyson and Kyle. His upbringing in rural Alberta emphasized hard work and dedication, values that have translated to his professional hockey career. His brothers also pursued hockey, with the family deeply rooted in the local hockey community through the Stony Plain and Spruce Grove Minor Hockey Association.
Personal Life
Kulak is married and has two children. He and his wife welcomed their first child, a daughter, during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs while he was playing for the Edmonton Oilers. Despite the timing requiring him to miss the morning skate before a pivotal Game 7, Kulak was able to play that evening, demonstrating his commitment to both family and team. He continues to reside with his family during the hockey season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season marked Kulak’s fourth full season with the Edmonton Oilers organization following his mid-season arrival in 2022. Entering the season on the final year of his previous contract, Kulak was expected to be a key contributor on the Oilers’ blueline as the team aimed for a deeper playoff run after their 2022 Western Conference Final appearance. The Oilers sought to build on their core group featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, with Kulak providing steady defensive play from the back end.
As the season progressed, Kulak continued to showcase the reliable, consistent play that had become his trademark. His ability to log significant minutes and play effectively in various situations made him a valuable asset on the Oilers’ defensive corps. However, inconsistencies throughout the roster led to a difficult season for the team, resulting in the December 2025 trade that sent Kulak to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The trade provided the Oilers with goaltending help while giving Kulak a fresh opportunity with a team competing for a playoff spot.
Upon joining the Penguins, Kulak brought experience and stability to a defensive group looking to make a push in the Eastern Conference. His veteran presence and track record of performing in important games made him an immediate asset for Pittsburgh’s blue line. The remaining portion of the 2025-26 season presented Kulak with new challenges and opportunities as he adjusted to his third NHL organization and helped the Penguins pursue their postseason goals.