Brad Lambert Bio
Brad Lambert is a Finnish-Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently under contract with the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 19 December 2003 in Lahti, Finland, he began his professional career in 2019 and has since developed across top leagues in Finland, the Western Hockey League (WHL), and the American Hockey League (AHL). Drafted 30th overall by the Jets in 2022, Lambert has emerged as one of the more intriguing young forwards in the Jets organization, earning recognition such as a spot on the 2024 AHL All-Rookie Team. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 179 pounds, he shoots right and continues to refine his game at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Brad Lambert was born in Lahti, Finland, on 19 December 2003, to a Canadian father, Ross Lambert, and a Finnish mother. His dual heritage granted him citizenship in both Finland and Canada, shaping his early identification as a Finnish-Canadian athlete. Hockey was a family tradition, with his father Ross having played for the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and later professionally in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). His uncle Dale also played in the EIHL, further embedding the sport within the family.
Brad’s uncle, Lane Lambert, is a former NHL player who has since built a career as a coach, providing an additional layer of professional hockey insight in the family. The connection to the Saskatoon Blades was significant enough that Brad’s WHL rights were originally held by that franchise before being traded. Cousin Jimmy Lambert played for the University of Michigan, extending the family’s reach into the collegiate ranks. Growing up in such an environment, Brad was exposed to high-level hockey from an early age, which helped lay the foundation for his rapid rise through the junior ranks in Finland.
Path to Hockey
Brad Lambert’s progression through Finnish hockey was swift. He developed within the HIFK junior system, showcasing the offensive skills and skating ability that would later define his game. His performances at the under-18 and under-20 levels for HIFK drew attention from scouts across North America and Europe, positioning him as one of the top prospects for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Internationally, Lambert represented Finland at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup as a 15-year-old, where he scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 victory over Switzerland, an early signal of his scoring touch. He went on to attend three IIHF World Junior Championships, winning bronze in 2021, silver in 2022, and finishing fifth in 2023. These experiences against top international competition helped prepare him for the rigors of professional hockey and the increased attention that came with being a high draft pick.
Brad Lambert Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
On 13 December 2019, 15-year-old Brad Lambert made his professional debut for HIFK of the SM-liiga, Finland’s top league. During that season, he scored 38 points in 42 games with HIFK’s U20 club and added two points in four games with the senior team. Following the season, Lambert exercised a contractual option to leave HIFK, seeking a fresh environment to continue his development.
On 8 May 2020, Lambert signed a two-year contract with Finnish club JYP Jyväskylä. In the 2020–21 season, he tallied 15 points in 46 games, a total that led all under-18 players in the league. His performance during this period cemented his reputation as one of Finland’s most promising young forwards and fueled growing expectations heading into his draft year.
Draft Year and Tumultuous 2021–22 Season
Entering the 2021–22 season, Lambert was ranked as high as second overall by some scouts for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. However, a difficult start saw him produce only six points in 24 games, leading to a mutual termination of his contract with JYP. He subsequently signed with his hometown club, the Lahti Pelicans, but his production remained limited at four points in 25 games. The dip in performance caused his draft stock to fall, and he was selected 30th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.
Despite the disappointment of his draft slide, Lambert’s situation improved quickly after the selection. In June 2022, the Seattle Thunderbirds acquired his WHL rights from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for draft picks, setting the stage for his transition to North American hockey. He attended Jets training camp ahead of the 2022–23 season, and on 12 October 2022, he signed a three-year entry-level contract and was assigned to the Jets’ AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.
WHL Breakthrough and AHL Return (2022–2024)
After 14 games with the Manitoba Moose in which he scored only three points, the Jets reassigned Lambert to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. The change proved transformative. With the Thunderbirds, Lambert posted 48 points in 26 regular-season games and added 26 points in 17 playoff games, helping Seattle capture the 2023 Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions. The Thunderbirds then advanced to the final of the 2023 Memorial Cup, where they were ultimately defeated by the Quebec Remparts.
Returning to the Manitoba Moose for the 2023–24 season, Lambert produced a strong rookie campaign in the AHL. He was named to the 2024 AHL All-Star Game and finished the season with 20 goals and 52 points, totals that placed him second in rookie point scoring and earned him a place on the AHL All-Rookie Team. With multiple Jets regulars rested ahead of the NHL playoffs, Lambert was recalled to Winnipeg and made his NHL debut on 18 April 2024, recording an assist in a 4–2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brad Lambert is recognized for his speed, skill, and offensive creativity as a forward. His ability to generate scoring chances, combined with his right-handed shot, makes him a versatile weapon in transition and on the power play. His development path through the WHL and AHL has helped him build a more complete two-way game, preparing him for a sustained role at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Brad Lambert’s young career are his 2023 Ed Chynoweth Cup championship with the Seattle Thunderbirds, his selection to the 2024 AHL All-Rookie Team, and his NHL debut on 18 April 2024 against the Vancouver Canucks. His hat-trick against Switzerland at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup remains one of his earliest international highlights.
Brad Lambert Career Wins
While individual goal and point totals vary by league and season, Brad Lambert’s most prominent team victory came in 2023 when he helped the Seattle Thunderbirds capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions. He followed that with a strong 2023–24 AHL campaign that included All-Rookie Team honors.
WHL Highlights
During the 2022–23 WHL season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Brad Lambert recorded 48 points in 26 regular-season games and 26 points in 17 playoff games. His offensive contributions were central to the Thunderbirds’ run to the Ed Chynoweth Cup and their appearance in the 2023 Memorial Cup final.
Other Wins & Performances
On the international stage, Lambert earned a bronze medal with Finland at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship and a silver medal in 2022. His hat-trick in a 6–0 win over Switzerland at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup stands out as one of his earliest signature performances.
Brad Lambert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brad Lambert comes from a family with deep hockey roots. His father, Ross Lambert, played for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL and went on to a professional career in the AHL and the United Kingdom’s EIHL. His uncle Dale also played in the EIHL, while his uncle Lane Lambert is a former NHL player who has since built a career as a coach. Cousin Jimmy Lambert played for the University of Michigan, extending the family’s presence into collegiate hockey.
Personal Life
Brad Lambert was born in Lahti, Finland, to a Canadian father and a Finnish mother, and he holds citizenship in both countries. His hockey upbringing in Lahti and his family’s deep ties to the sport have played a central role in his development as a professional player.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Brad Lambert remains under contract with the Winnipeg Jets through the end of his three-year entry-level deal, which runs through 2025. His progression from the AHL All-Rookie Team honors in 2024 to an NHL debut against the Vancouver Canucks positioned him for an expanded role with the Jets. The organization will look to him as a young forward capable of contributing offense and energy in a bottom-six or specialty-teams capacity.
Lambert’s combination of WHL playoff experience with the Seattle Thunderbirds and a productive AHL season with the Manitoba Moose has given him a steady foundation to build on. Continued development in areas such as defensive responsibility and consistency will be central to his push for a full-time NHL role. With the Jets focusing on youth and skill in their forward group, Lambert has a clear opportunity to carve out a consistent place in the lineup.
