Gabriel Vilardi Bio
Gabriel Vilardi is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 16, 1999, in Kingston, Ontario, Vilardi was selected eleventh overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. After beginning his professional career in the Kings organization, Vilardi established himself as a reliable offensive threat before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in June 2023. He signed a six-year contract extension worth $45 million with the Jets in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Gabriel Vilardi was born to Italian parents Natale Vilardi and Giovanna Siviglia, who immigrated to Kingston, Ontario, from Reggio Calabria. His older brother Francesco also pursued hockey, playing three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before joining the Queens University hockey team for three additional seasons. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) and weighing 203 pounds (92 kg), Gabriel developed into a highly skilled forward from an early age.
Vilardi was recognized as an elite prospect well before his NHL draft year. In the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, he was chosen second overall by the Windsor Spitfires, signaling his potential as a future professional player. Throughout his junior career, Vilardi showcased strong offensive abilities and playmaking vision that would define his playing style at the professional level.
Path to the NHL
Leading up to the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Vilardi was regarded as one of the top prospects in his draft class. NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him as the number four North American skater, while TSN scout Craig Button described him as a big and strong centre with significant offensive upside. Although Vilardi naturally played centre, he primarily functioned as a winger during his time with the Windsor Spitfires, adapting his game to contribute in different forward positions.
On January 1, 2018, Vilardi was traded by the Windsor Spitfires to the Kingston Frontenacs, bringing him closer to his hometown of Kingston, Ontario. The following month, on March 1, 2018, Vilardi signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings, officially beginning his professional hockey journey.
Gabriel Vilardi Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Vilardi did not make his professional debut until November 29, 2018, with the Ontario Reign, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. A chronic back issue had delayed the start of his professional career. He earned his first professional point three days later, recording an assist against the Tucson Roadrunners. In December 2018, the Kings loaned Vilardi to Team Canada to compete at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
During the 2019-20 season, Vilardi played 32 games with the Ontario Reign, recording 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points. His performance earned him a recall to the NHL on February 20, 2020. That night, Vilardi made his NHL debut against the Florida Panthers, and on his very first career shot, he fired a wrist shot past Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Vilardi set a new NHL record by scoring his first career goal just 6 seconds into his first career shift. He also recorded an assist in the second period on a goal scored by Martin Frk.
Los Angeles Kings Development (2020-2023)
Following his remarkable debut, Vilardi continued to develop within the Kings organization. He split the 2020-21 season between the Kings and the Ontario Reign, working to establish consistency at the NHL level. Over the subsequent seasons, Vilardi emerged as a regular contributor for Los Angeles, showcasing his offensive instincts and versatility across the forward positions.
After a productive 2022-23 season in which he recorded 23 goals and 41 points, Vilardi signed a one-year, $825,000 contract extension with the Kings on July 23, 2022. However, his tenure with the franchise came to an end shortly thereafter as the Kings pursued other roster moves.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2023-Present)
On June 27, 2023, Vilardi was traded by the Los Angeles Kings to the Winnipeg Jets. The Kings sent Vilardi along with Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Jets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. The trade marked a new chapter in Vilardis career, moving him to a team where he would assume a significant offensive role.
Vilardi quickly became a key contributor for the Jets, centering one of the teams top lines and providing consistent secondary scoring. On April 4, 2024, Vilardi achieved a major career milestone by scoring his first career NHL hat trick in a 5-2 Jets victory over the visiting Calgary Flames. The performance demonstrated his evolution from a promising prospect into a reliable NHL scorer.
On July 18, 2025, Vilardi signed a six-year, $45 million contract extension with the Jets, securing his future with the organization through the 2030-31 season. The deal reflected the Jets confidence in his contributions and his importance to the teams long-term plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vilardi plays a responsible two-way game, using his 6-foot-3 frame effectively to win board battles and protect the puck along the boards. His size and reach allow him to create space in the offensive zone and finish around the net. Known for his strong hockey sense and playmaking ability, Vilardi contributes both offensively and defensively, making him a versatile forward who can excel in various situations and line combinations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Vilardis NHL debut remains one of the most memorable in league history. By scoring just 6 seconds into his first shift on February 20, 2020, he set a new NHL record that still stands. Other significant milestones include his first professional point with the Ontario Reign, his first career hat trick with the Jets, and his transition from a highly-touted draft pick to an established NHL forward with the Winnipeg Jets.
Gabriel Vilardi Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning the Ontario Hockey League, American Hockey League, and National Hockey League, Vilardi has accumulated impressive statistics and achieved significant results at each level. His journey from junior hockey to becoming a key contributor with the Winnipeg Jets demonstrates his consistent ability to produce offensively at every stage of his development.
NHL Highlights
Vilardi has established himself as a consistent NHL scorer with the Winnipeg Jets. His career includes more than 150 career goals and over 300 career points across his time with the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets. The highlight of his career thus far came on April 4, 2024, when he scored his first career hat trick in a win over the Calgary Flames. Signed to a long-term extension with the Jets, Vilardi continues to build on his offensive production with his current team.
Junior and Minor League Highlights
Before reaching the NHL, Vilardi was a dominant player in junior hockey. Selected second overall in the OHL Priority Selection by the Windsor Spitfires, he was ranked as the fourth-best North American skater ahead of the 2017 NHL Draft. His success continued in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, where he recorded 25 points in 32 games during the 2019-20 season before earning his NHL call-up.
Gabriel Vilardi Family
Family Background and Heritage
Gabriel Vilardi comes from an athletic family with strong Italian roots. His parents, Natale Vilardi and Giovanna Siviglia, immigrated to Kingston, Ontario, from Reggio Calabria, Italy. Their heritage has remained an important part of Vilardis identity throughout his hockey career. His older brother Francesco also played hockey at a high level, competing in the Ontario Hockey League before continuing his career at Queens University.
Personal Life
While Vilardi maintains a professional approach to his career, he remains connected to his Canadian roots in Kingston, Ontario. His family background and the support system he developed growing up have been cited as factors in his development as a professional athlete. As he enters the prime years of his career with the Winnipeg Jets, Vilardi continues to build on the foundation established during his formative years in Ontario.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season marked another step forward for Vilardi as he entered his second full season with the Winnipeg Jets following his mid-2023 trade from Los Angeles. With his long-term contract extension signed in July 2025, Vilardi has solidified his place in the Jets lineup as a key offensive contributor. His combination of size, skill, and hockey sense makes him a valuable asset for a Jets team with aspirations of playoff success.
Vilardis performance has been characterized by consistent goal-scoring and playmaking ability. The Jets have relied on him in various situations, including power play opportunities and defensive zone starts. His versatility allows the coaching staff to deploy him in different roles depending on game situations and line combinations.
Looking ahead, Vilardi appears well-positioned to continue his growth as an NHL player. At 26 years old, he is entering what are typically considered the prime years for a professional hockey player. With a secure long-term contract and a prominent role on a competitive Jets team, Vilardis career trajectory points toward continued success in the seasons to come.