Andreas Athanasiou Bio
Andreas Athanasiou is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Athanasiou was drafted 110th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Early Life and Background
Andreas Athanasiou was born on August 6, 1994, in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada. He has a diverse ethnic background, being of Greek and Guyanese descent. Athanasiou’s father works as a pilot with Air Canada. Growing up in Ontario, he was exposed to hockey at a young age, which laid the foundation for his future career in the sport.
Path to Hockey
Athanasiou began his junior career with the Toronto Titans Midget AAA team in the Greater Toronto Hockey League during the 2009–10 season, where he showcased his scoring ability by averaging better than a point-per-game. He was subsequently drafted 81st overall by the London Knights in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft. Athanasiou made his OHL debut in the 2010–11 season, recording 11 goals and 11 assists in 57 games. His performance improved significantly in the following seasons, culminating in a standout final year with the Barrie Colts, where he led the team in scoring.
Andreas Athanasiou Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Andreas Athanasiou signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings on November 20, 2013. He made his AHL debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins in April 2014. In his first full professional season (2014–15), he recorded 16 goals and 16 assists in 55 games, showcasing his potential as a valuable player. Athanasiou made his NHL debut on November 8, 2015, and scored his first NHL goal just two days later against the Washington Capitals.
Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Athanasiou’s breakthrough came during the 2016–17 season when he recorded 18 goals and 11 assists in 64 games with the Red Wings. His performance earned him a one-year contract worth $1,387,500 after a contract holdout in 2017. However, the 2019–20 season was challenging, as he recorded 10 goals and 14 assists but had a league-worst plus/minus rating of -45. On February 24, 2020, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he played a limited role due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Athanasiou has been recognized for his speed and scoring ability. He has played for several NHL teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and Chicago Blackhawks. His notable achievements include being part of the gold medal-winning Ontario team at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
Andreas Athanasiou Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Andreas Athanasiou has not received any major award nominations, but his contributions to his teams have been significant, particularly during his time in junior hockey and the NHL.
Andreas Athanasiou Awards Won
Andreas Athanasiou has not won any major awards during his professional career. However, his performance in junior hockey and his contributions to various teams have been noteworthy.
Andreas Athanasiou Family
Andreas Athanasiou is currently in a relationship with professional golfer Nelly Korda. Details about his family background are limited, but it is known that he has a father who works as a pilot.
Personal Life
Athanasiou adopted a vegan diet in 2017, reflecting his commitment to health and wellness. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing primarily on his career in hockey.
