Carsen Twarynski Bio
Carsen Twarynski is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently playing for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). Born on November 24, 1997, in St. Albert, Alberta, he has built his career across North American and European professional leagues since turning pro in 2018. He was selected 82nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and went on to make his National Hockey League debut during the 2019 NHL Global Series in Prague, Czech Republic. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 198 pounds, Twarynski is known for his two-way power-forward approach and his willingness to adapt his game across multiple leagues and roles.
Early Life and Background
Carsen Twarynski was born on November 24, 1997, in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in a sports-oriented family in the province of Alberta, where minor hockey is a major part of community life. His older brother, Brayden Twarynski, is also an athlete and most recently played as a linebacker for the Saskatchewan Huskies, the varsity football team of the University of Saskatchewan. Having an older brother who competed at a high college level helped shape Carsen’s competitive approach from a young age.
Twarynski began his organized hockey journey in Calgary with the Bow Valley Hockey Association, where he played until he reached the Atom level. He then spent two seasons with the Blackfoot Chiefs Minor Hockey Association Pee-Wee team, continuing to develop his fundamentals. As he aged out of pee-wee hockey, he moved on to the Calgary Bantam AAA Blackhawks and later the Calgary Bantam AAA Bisons of the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Associations. These early moves through Calgary-area programs helped him adjust to higher levels of competition and prepared him for junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
After going unselected in the Western Hockey League (WHL) bantam draft, Twarynski spent one season with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) while also suiting up for the Calgary Buffaloes of the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL). That split schedule kept him in game shape and allowed him to showcase his skills for major junior scouts. His persistence paid off when, as a 16-year-old, he signed with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL, one of the top development paths for future NHL players in Western Canada.
With the Hitmen, Twarynski wasted little time making an impact at the major junior level, recording his first WHL goal during a 9–2 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on September 29, 2014. During his first year of NHL draft eligibility, he posted 20 goals and 45 points, and he described himself as a power forward who is good two ways. That combination of scoring touch and responsible play led the Philadelphia Flyers to select him 82nd overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Carsen Twarynski Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Following his draft year, Twarynski continued his development in the WHL. On January 9, 2017, the Calgary Hitmen traded him to the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for Jake Kryski, a move Twarynski later called the best thing for his career because of the strong environment in Kelowna. After the Rockets’ season ended, he joined the Philadelphia Flyers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but was returned to major junior near the start of the 2017–18 season. On March 11, 2018, Twarynski signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers, officially ending his major junior career.
He attended the Flyers’ 2018–19 training camp but was re-assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to begin the professional season. That year was a key adjustment period, as he learned the speed and structure of professional hockey and adjusted to a more physical, detail-oriented league.
NHL Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Twarynski made his NHL debut on October 4, 2019, a game played in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of the NHL Global Series. While he spent the majority of the 2019–20 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, his inclusion in the Flyers’ 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs training camp showed that the organization viewed him as a depth option. Although he did not make the playoff roster, the experience brought him closer than ever to a full-time NHL role.
On July 21, 2021, Twarynski was selected from the Philadelphia Flyers by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, giving him a fresh opportunity with the league’s newest franchise. His time within the Kraken system, however, did not produce a long-term North American contract.
European and AHL Transitions (2023–2025)
As a free agent, Twarynski was unable to secure a deal to remain in North America, so on September 27, 2023, he signed his first contract abroad with the Vienna Capitals of the ICE Hockey League in Austria. He began the 2023–24 season with the Capitals and recorded six goals and 13 points through 27 regular-season games, showing that his scoring touch translated to European ice.
Midway through the season, on January 8, 2024, Twarynski left Austria to return to the AHL, signing a contract with the Bridgeport Islanders, the primary affiliate of the New York Islanders. The following offseason, on July 24, 2024, he signed a one-year AHL deal with the Abbotsford Canucks for the 2024–25 season, where he made 26 regular-season appearances and posted 2 goals and 7 points. On March 11, 2025, he was traded within the AHL’s Pacific Division to the San Diego Gulls. He then moved to the Belfast Giants of the EIHL, where he continues his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Twarynski is recognized for a power-forward skill set that blends size, skating, and a willingness to play in all three zones. He has described himself as a two-way player, and his career path through the WHL, AHL, NHL, and European leagues shows a player who is willing to adjust his game to fit different systems and roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of his career are his first WHL goal on September 29, 2014, his NHL debut on October 4, 2019, as part of the Global Series in Prague, and his selection by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. Each step reflected a new level of professional achievement built on years of steady development.
Carsen Twarynski Career Wins
Carsen Twarynski’s professional résumé does not yet include a league championship, but his career is highlighted by steady individual contributions across multiple competitive leagues. His goals and points in the WHL, AHL, and ICE Hockey League reflect a forward who has consistently produced offense at every level he has played.
WHL Highlights
During his time with the Calgary Hitmen and Kelowna Rockets, Twarynski developed into a reliable scoring winger. His 20-goal, 45-point campaign in his first NHL draft-eligible season served as the foundation for his selection by the Philadelphia Flyers and remains a benchmark performance in his major junior career.
Other Wins and Performances
Twarynski has posted measurable offensive contributions in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Bridgeport Islanders, Abbotsford Canucks, and San Diego Gulls, as well as with the Vienna Capitals in the ICE Hockey League. His 13 points in 27 games in Austria and his continued role in the AHL Pacific Division underline his consistency as a depth scorer.
Carsen Twarynski Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Carsen Twarynski comes from an athletic family rooted in Alberta. His older brother, Brayden Twarynski, played as a linebacker for the Saskatchewan Huskies, the University of Saskatchewan varsity football team, giving the Twarynski household a strong multi-sport background that helped shape Carsen’s competitive drive.
Personal Life
Twarynski was born and raised in St. Albert, Alberta, and has built his professional life around the hockey calendar, moving between North American and European clubs since 2018. Public details about his personal relationships are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Twarynski’s 2024–25 campaign was defined by movement between organizations. After signing a one-year AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks on July 24, 2024, he registered 2 goals and 7 points across 26 regular-season games before being traded to the San Diego Gulls on March 11, 2025. That midseason deal gave him a new opportunity within the AHL’s competitive Pacific Division during the stretch run.
His stint with the Gulls was brief but offered a fresh environment to showcase his two-way play and power-forward identity. Following his time in San Diego, Twarynski signed with the Belfast Giants of the EIHL, continuing his long pattern of adapting to new teams and leagues.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Twarynski is expected to be a key contributor for the Belfast Giants as they pursue success in the EIHL. His combination of NHL experience, AHL seasoning, and European hockey exposure makes him a versatile veteran presence in the Giants’ lineup.