Christopher James Kreider Bio
Christopher James Kreider is an American professional ice hockey player who serves as a winger for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on April 30, 1991, in Boxford, Massachusetts, Kreider grew up in a family passionate about athletics and developed into one of the most consistent goal scorers in professional hockey. After an accomplished amateur career that included two NCAA championships at Boston College, Kreider was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs and went on to spend 13 seasons with the Rangers, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff goals and power-play goals. In June 2025, Kreider was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he helped the team qualify for the playoffs in his first season with the franchise.
Early Life and Background
Kreider was born on April 30, 1991, in Boxford, Massachusetts, to parents Kathy and David Kreider. He grew up alongside his younger sister Katie. From 2004 to 2008, Kreider played for the Valley Jr. Warriors, developing his skills before enrolling at Masconomet Regional High School. As a sophomore at Masconomet, he became an All-League player and helped the Chieftains win the Cape Ann League championship. He experienced a breakout season with 28 goals and 13 assists through 23 games, earning Salem News Player of the Year honors before transferring to Phillips Andover for his junior year.
At Phillips Andover, Kreider quickly established himself as an elite player. He led the team in goals during his first year, accumulating 28 points through 21 games. The following year, he finished with 56 points through 26 games, leading Phillips Andover to the New England Prep semifinals. For his efforts, Kreider was named New England Prep Player of the Year. Despite repeating his sophomore year at the private school, he graduated within four years by completing an accelerated summer program.
Path to Professional Hockey
Following his stellar high school career, Kreider enrolled at Boston College in 2009, majoring in communications. Prior to the start of his freshman season, he was selected in the first round, 19th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He had entered the draft rated 14th among all North American skaters and first among high school players by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.
During his freshman season at Boston College, Kreider made an immediate impact. He finished second in the conference among freshmen with 14 goals and tied for ninth in points with 21. His performance earned him a spot on the 2009-10 Hockey East All-Rookie Team. In the NCAA tournament title game, Kreider scored a goal to help Boston College defeat the University of Wisconsin and win the national title. He became the second American to capture a World Junior Championship gold medal and an NCAA title in the same year.
Kreider returned to Boston College for his sophomore season and led the team through the 2011 Beanpot Tournament, tallying two goals and an assist on the overtime game-winner to clinch the title. He was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Although he suffered a broken jaw in March, Kreider returned for the playoffs after surgery and helped the Eagles reach the NCAA tournament semifinals. He returned for his junior year as promised, leading the team to a second NCAA championship with 23 goals and 45 points in 44 games. He was selected for the All-Hockey East Second Team and concluded his collegiate career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Rangers on April 10, 2012.
Christopher James Kreider Career
New York Rangers Breakthrough (2012-2015)
When the Rangers began their 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Ottawa Senators, Kreider served as a healthy scratch for their first two games. After teammate Carl Hagelin was suspended, Kreider made his NHL debut in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on April 16, 2012. In his fourth career playoff game, he scored his first career NHL goal, the game-winner, to help the Rangers stave off elimination. He subsequently set a new NHL record for most playoff goals before playing in a regular season game, scoring five goals in the 2012 postseason as the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final.
Due to the 2012-13 NHL lockout, Kreider began the season with the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He made his AHL debut on October 12, 2012, and scored his first career AHL goal later that month. After several call-ups and demotions, Kreider finished his rookie season with two goals and an assist over 23 NHL games. During the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored the overtime game-winning goal in Game 4 against the Boston Bruins to force a Game 5.
Under new head coach Alain Vigneault in the 2013-14 season, Kreider thrived and became a mainstay on the Rangers’ roster. On November 30, 2013, he recorded his first career NHL hat-trick against the Vancouver Canucks. He became a frontrunner for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year, accumulating 11 goals and 24 points through 37 games. Although he missed the end of the regular season due to hand surgery, Kreider returned for the playoffs and helped the Rangers reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings.
Establishing Legacy with the Rangers (2015-2025)
Kreider continued to develop as a consistent scoring threat following his initial breakthrough. During the 2016-17 season, he opened the season by tallying a goal, an assist, seven shots on goal, and four hits in the season opener against the New York Islanders. By October 17, he became the first Rangers player with at least six points in the first three games of a season since Brian Leetch in 1992-93. On December 31, he recorded his second career hat-trick and tied for the NHL lead in goals in December. He finished the regular season with career highs of 28 goals and 53 points, earning his first selection to the NHL All-Star Game.
During the 2017-18 season, Kreider achieved several career milestones including his 100th NHL assist, 100th NHL goal, and 200th NHL point. However, he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right arm in December, which required arthroscopic surgery to clear a malformed rib. He returned to the lineup on February 24, 2018, after missing 24 games and made an immediate impact with three goals and eight assists in his first 12 games back. He was named the Rangers’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance during recovery.
Prior to the 2019-20 season, the Rangers signed Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba to long-term contracts, leading to speculation about Kreider’s future with the team. Despite numerous teams wishing to acquire him, the Rangers signed Kreider to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension on February 24, 2020. During the shortened season, he accumulated 24 goals and 21 assists for 45 points through 63 games before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the regular season.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2025-Present)
On June 12, 2025, Kreider was traded by the Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick. The trade marked the end of his 13-year tenure with the Rangers, during which he became the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff goals, playoff power-play goals, and playoff game-winning goals. He also became the first player in Rangers history to score 50 goals in a single season during the 2021-22 campaign.
Upon joining the Ducks, Kreider returned to the form typically seen during his prime years with the Rangers. He scored 50 points in his first season with Anaheim and helped the Ducks qualify for the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. His veteran presence and scoring ability provided a significant boost to a young Ducks roster looking to establish themselves as contenders in the Western Conference.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kreider is known for his elite goal-scoring ability, particularly on the power play. His combination of size at 6-foot-3, hockey sense, and quick release has made him a constant threat in offensive situations. Throughout his career, he has developed strong chemistry with center Mika Zibanejad, forming one of the more productive scoring lines in the NHL. Kreider also brings a physical element to his game, willing to go to the net and battle for scoring chances in high-traffic areas. His playoff performance has been particularly notable, as he holds multiple Rangers franchise records for postseason success.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Kreider has achieved numerous significant milestones. During the 2021-22 season, he became the fourth player in Rangers franchise history to score 50 goals in a single season, finishing with 52 goals and 77 points. He also set a Rangers record with 25 power-play goals in a season, breaking the previous mark held by Jaromir Jagr. In the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Kreider became the Rangers’ all-time leader in playoff goals, playoff power-play goals, and playoff game-winning goals during their run to the Eastern Conference Final. He recorded his first career postseason hat-trick in Game 6 against the Carolina Hurricanes, leading the Rangers to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2015.
Christopher James Kreider Career Statistics
Kreider has built an impressive statistical record across his NHL career spanning from 2012 to the present. His most prolific seasons came with the New York Rangers, where he established himself as one of the premier goal scorers in franchise history. His ability to score at both even strength and on the power play has made him a reliable offensive contributor throughout his career.
Regular Season Highlights
Throughout his NHL career, Kreider has been a consistent 20-goal scorer, reaching that milestone in multiple seasons. His best statistical season came during the 2021-22 campaign when he recorded 52 goals and 77 points in 81 games, earning All-Star Game selection and multiple Rangers franchise records. He has also been recognized for his work ethic and dedication to the team, receiving the Rangers’ Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award and Mr. Ranger Award. His career totals place him among the all-time leading goal scorers in Rangers franchise history.
Playoff Performance
Kreider has elevated his game during the Stanley Cup playoffs throughout his career. His record-setting performance during the 2024 playoffs, where he became the Rangers’ all-time leader in playoff goals and power-play goals, solidified his status as one of the best postseason performers in franchise history. He has recorded multiple Game 7 contributions and game-winning goals, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. His 10 playoff goals during the 2022 and 2024 postseasons highlighted his consistent ability to deliver in crucial moments.
International Competition
Kreider has represented the United States at both the junior and senior international levels. At the 2010 World Junior Championships, he won a gold medal as a member of the United States junior team, scoring six goals including one in the gold-medal game against Canada. He returned for the 2011 World Junior Championships and won a silver medal, bringing his World Juniors goal total to 10, which tied him with John LeClair and Mike Modano for third all-time among American players. At the senior level, Kreider has competed in multiple World Championships, including the 2018 tournament where he helped the United States win a bronze medal, earning USA Player of the Game honors twice.
Christopher James Kreider Personal Life
Family and Background
Kreider was born in Boxford, Massachusetts, to parents Kathy and David Kreider. He grew up alongside his younger sister Katie. His family supported his athletic pursuits from an early age, allowing him to develop his skills through youth hockey programs in the region. Kreider split his time between New York and Massachusetts during the summers growing up.
Personal Life
Kreider married his wife Francesca in 2023. Although he left Boston College after his junior year to begin his professional career, Kreider remained committed to completing his education. He earned his degree in communications from Boston College in 2016 by taking courses online and during the off-seasons. When speaking about his degree completion, Kreider emphasized the importance of seeing his commitment through to the end. Beyond hockey, he is conversational in Spanish and Russian. In a 2015 interview, he listed The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway among his favorite reads.
2025 Season Performance
Following his trade to the Anaheim Ducks in June 2025, Kreider made an immediate impact in his first season with his new team. He scored 50 points in his inaugural campaign with the Ducks, demonstrating the same goal-scoring prowess that characterized his tenure with the Rangers. His veteran leadership proved invaluable to a young Ducks roster looking to establish itself as a competitive force in the Western Conference.
Kreider’s presence helped the Ducks qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2018, ending an eight-season postseason drought. His experience from multiple deep playoff runs with the Rangers provided the Ducks with a player who understood what it took to succeed at the highest level. Throughout the season, Kreider worked well with his new teammates, meshing with the organization’s young core while providing the offensive production expected from a veteran scorer.
The addition of Kreider represented a significant step in the Ducks’ rebuild, as the team looked to transition from a developing franchise to a legitimate contender. His ability to score 50 points while helping a young team reach the playoffs demonstrated his continued value as an NHL player. The Ducks’ organization and fan base welcomed the experienced forward, who brought championship pedigree and a proven track record of success to Southern California.