Daniel Sprong Bio
Daniel Sprong is a Dutch professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Born on March 17, 1997, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sprong moved to Canada with his family in 2005 to pursue his hockey career. He was drafted 46th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and has since established himself as a productive offensive player across multiple NHL organizations. Sprong has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, Seattle Kraken, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, and New Jersey Devils before joining Russian hockey in 2025. Known for his scoring ability and playmaking skills, Sprong has compiled over 300 NHL games and continues to be a threat on the right wing.
Early Life and Background
Sprong was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he first began playing hockey as a young child. Due to the lack of a developed hockey program in the Netherlands, Sprong played on teams with players as old as twelve or thirteen when he was only four or five years old. His father, Hannie Sprong, was a professional hockey player in the Netherlands during the early 1990s and later managed a team there, providing early influence on Daniel’s career. To help further Sprong’s development in hockey, his family moved to L’Ile-Bizard, Quebec, in 2005 when he was eight years old.
In Quebec, Sprong played within the Deux-Rives minor ice hockey program and competed at the prestigious 2008 and 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments. For the 2011-12 season, he joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, a Pennsylvania-based traveling team. Returning to Quebec the following season with the Lac St-Louis Tigres, Sprong set the Quebec Midget Espoir AA league scoring record with 104 points in just 30 games. As a non-citizen, Sprong was ineligible to play in the top-tier league, which led him to the second-tier competition where he dominated offensively.
Path to Professional Hockey
Sprong was selected thirteenth overall by the Charlottetown Islanders in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft and joined the team for the 2013-14 season. He immediately made an impact, leading the Islanders in scoring with 68 points in 67 games. His outstanding play earned him recognition as a member of the 2013-14 QMJHL All-Rookie Team. The following 2014-15 season, Sprong again led the Islanders in scoring with 88 points, ranking twelfth overall in the QMJHL. He was also invited to participate in the 2015 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, further elevating his draft profile.
In the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s final list of players for the draft, Sprong was listed as the 20th best North American skater. His impressive junior career statistics and strong showing at prospect games made him an attractive target for NHL teams. The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Sprong in the second round, 46th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He became the first player taken in the second round or later to make the opening night roster immediately after being drafted since Brandon Saad in 2011.
Daniel Sprong Career
Pittsburgh Penguins (2015-2018)
Sprong signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins on August 28, 2015. After impressing Penguins management at training camp, he made the Penguins opening roster for the 2015-16 season. His first NHL game was on October 8 against the Dallas Stars, and he recorded his first career goal on October 15 against Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson. Sprong played 18 games for the Penguins, scoring two goals, before the team decided to send him back to Charlottetown for the remainder of the season.
When Sprong’s QMJHL season ended, he was assigned to the Penguins’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, for their playoff run. He appeared in 10 games and recorded 7 points before the team was eliminated in the third round. Sprong was subsequently recalled to Pittsburgh to serve as a reserve player for their final playoff games. During practice in the playoffs, Sprong injured his shoulder, and subsequent surgery and healing meant he would be unable to play again for roughly seven to eight months.
Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals (2018-2021)
On December 3, 2018, the Penguins traded Sprong to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Marcus Pettersson. Remaining with the Ducks through the 2018-19 season, Sprong notched new career highs, posting 14 goals and 19 points in 47 games. However, after a sub-par training camp with the Ducks the following season, Sprong was placed on waivers prior to the 2019-20 season. Upon going unclaimed, he was reassigned to the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ AHL affiliate.
With the direction to play a more complete two-way game, Sprong responded by scoring 11 goals and 27 points through 39 games with the Gulls. He was later recalled by the Ducks but was unable to replicate his previous offensive performance, contributing only 2 points through 8 games before returning to the Gulls. Sprong was traded to the Washington Capitals on February 24, 2020, in exchange for Christian Djoos. He was assigned to the Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. He later signed a two-year, $1.45 million contract extension with the Capitals on September 18, 2020.
Seattle Kraken Era (2022-2025)
Sprong was traded to the Seattle Kraken, along with two draft picks, on March 21, 2022, for Marcus Johansson. At the conclusion of his initial contract with the Kraken, Sprong went unsigned over the summer as a free agent. Approaching the 2022-23 season, he rejoined the Kraken by signing a professional tryout contract to attend training camp. He was later signed during the preseason to a one-year, two-way contract on October 3, 2022. Sprong responded with a career-high 46 points in 66 games with the Kraken.
On July 1, 2023, Sprong signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded 18 goals and 25 assists in 76 games with the Red Wings during the 2023-24 season. On July 20, 2024, Sprong signed as a free agent to a one-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks worth $975,000 for the 2024-25 season. He appeared in 9 games with the Canucks, registering 1 goal and 3 points, before being traded back to the Seattle Kraken on November 8, 2024, in exchange for future considerations.
On January 8, 2025, Sprong was placed on waivers by the Kraken after posting just 2 points in 10 games. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he showcased his offensive ability by posting 25 points through just 19 games. On March 7, 2025, Sprong was traded by the Kraken to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2026.
Move to KHL (2025)
As a free agent, Sprong left North America and signed a one-year contract with Russian club HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL on July 23, 2025. However, after spending an entire month as a healthy scratch for CSKA Moscow, despite scoring 31 points in 29 games, Sprong was traded midseason to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. This move represented a new chapter in Sprong’s career as he continued his professional hockey journey in European hockey.
Playing Style and Strengths
Sprong is known as an offensive-minded right winger with strong scoring ability and playmaking skills. His career-high 46-point season with the Kraken demonstrated his ability to produce at an NHL level when given consistent ice time and opportunity. Sprong possesses a right-handed shot and has shown the capacity to contribute both as a scorer and a playmaker. His career has shown versatility across multiple organizations, though his most successful seasons have come when he has a defined offensive role on his team.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Sprong has achieved several notable milestones. He became the first player selected in the second round or later to make an opening night roster immediately after being drafted since Brandon Saad in 2011. In junior hockey, he finished his career with the Charlottetown Islanders as the third all-time leader in goals and second in points in team history. During the playoffs, he tied the record for most career goals and broke the records for most assists and points for the Islanders.
Daniel Sprong Career Statistics
Sprong has built a solid professional career spanning multiple NHL teams and leagues. His career highlights include productive seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders in the QMJHL, his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and career-best offensive production with the Seattle Kraken. His ability to adapt to different team systems and contribute offensively has made him a valuable asset throughout his career.
NHL Highlights
Sprong’s most productive NHL season came with the Seattle Kraken during the 2022-23 campaign, where he recorded a career-high 46 points in 66 games. His tenure with the Anaheim Ducks saw him post 14 goals in the 2018-19 season, while his time with the Detroit Red Wings resulted in 18 goals and 25 assists in the 2023-24 season. Sprong has accumulated over 300 NHL games played across his career with multiple organizations.
Junior Career Highlights
In the QMJHL with the Charlottetown Islanders, Sprong was a dominant offensive player. He led the Islanders in scoring for two consecutive seasons, posting 68 points in 2013-14 and 88 points in 2014-15. He earned QMJHL All-Rookie Team honors and was selected to participate in the prestigious CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Sprong finished his junior career with the third-most goals and second-most points in Islanders franchise history.
Daniel Sprong Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Sprong was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Hannie Sprong, who was a professional hockey player in the Netherlands during the early 1990s and later managed a team there. This family connection to hockey provided Daniel with early exposure and guidance in the sport. The Sprong family’s hockey background and Hannie’s experience in the sport undoubtedly influenced Daniel’s path into professional hockey.
Personal Life
Sprong remains a Dutch citizen but has applied for Canadian citizenship. As of 2022, he had still not received Canadian citizenship but was a Canadian permanent resident, residing in Ile Bizard, Quebec. As a result of his citizenship status, Sprong has not participated in any international tournaments, having declined to play for the Dutch national team. He prefers to remain eligible for the Canadian national team. Sprong is the third NHL player born in the Netherlands, following Ed Kea and Ed Beers, both of whom were also raised in Canada. He maintains an active presence on social media, with an Instagram account at sprong11.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has represented a transitional period for Sprong in his professional career. After beginning the season with the Seattle Kraken organization, he was assigned to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL where he demonstrated his offensive capabilities with 25 points in 19 games. He was subsequently traded to the New Jersey Devils before moving to Europe. His move to the KHL with HC CSKA Moscow and subsequent trade to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg marks a new chapter as he continues his professional career in Russian hockey. Sprong’s ability to produce offensively, as evidenced by his 31 points in 29 games with CSKA Moscow despite limited ice time, suggests he can be a significant contributor in the KHL. His career trajectory continues to evolve as he adapts to new environments and leagues.