Collin Delia Bio
Collin Delia is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 208 pounds, he catches left and has built his career through perseverance after going undrafted. He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks, and has also spent time in the American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL with multiple affiliate clubs. Delia has become known for his resilience, having overcome injuries early in his career to reach the highest level of professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Collin Delia was born on June 20, 1994, in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. Growing up in Southern California, he developed his passion for the game by playing youth hockey in a region not traditionally known for ice hockey. His early commitment to the sport, despite the limited infrastructure, helped him build a foundation that would eventually carry him to the professional ranks.
After developing through the youth ranks, Delia moved to Texas to play for the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), a competitive junior league that helped him gain visibility among college recruiters. His time in the NAHL allowed him to refine his technique and showcase the skills that would later attract NHL attention.
Path to Hockey
In 2013, Delia committed to play Division 1 collegiate hockey with Merrimack College, a member of Hockey East. As a freshman with the Merrimack Warriors, he served primarily as a backup goaltender and appeared in only nine games. His role expanded in his sophomore year, although an injury limited his availability and forced him to push through adversity.
By his junior season with the Merrimack Warriors, Delia had become a starter, playing 21 games and posting a 9-8-3 record. His performance that year earned him a selection to the Hockey East Third Team All-Star, validating his growth as one of the conference’s top goaltending prospects.
Collin Delia Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Following his junior season at Merrimack in 2016–17, Delia signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 28, 2017. His signing marked his official transition from collegiate hockey to the professional ranks. He began his development within the Blackhawks organization, working toward an eventual NHL opportunity.
During the 2017–18 season, Delia split time between the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, and their ECHL affiliate, the Indy Fuel. He was later recalled to the NHL following an injury to starting goaltender Corey Crawford, serving as a backup to Anton Forsberg. When Forsberg was injured in pregame warmups, Delia made his NHL debut on March 29, 2018, against the Winnipeg Jets. He was injured early in the third period of that game, forcing emergency goaltender Scott Foster into action, but the Blackhawks eventually won 6–2.
Chicago Blackhawks Breakthrough (2017–2022)
Delia began the 2018–19 season with the Rockford IceHogs after attending Blackhawks training camp. He was recalled in December after another injury to Corey Crawford and continued to compete at the NHL level. On February 11, 2019, the Blackhawks signed Delia to a three-year, $3 million contract extension, signaling their confidence in his long-term potential.
Throughout his time in the Chicago organization, Delia was repeatedly moved between the AHL and NHL rosters based on team needs. He helped the Blackhawks secure a 5–4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 13, 2019, a result that highlighted his ability to perform under pressure. After five seasons within the Blackhawks system, he departed as a free agent.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2022–2023)
On July 13, 2022, Delia signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He began the 2022–23 season with their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, before being recalled to the NHL roster. Assuming the backup role with Vancouver, he established career bests with 10 wins through 20 appearances at the NHL level.
Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers (2023–2025)
On July 1, 2023, Delia signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Winnipeg Jets for the 2023–24 season. He was assigned to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose for the duration of the year, where he posted an 11-19-1 record through 32 appearances. After becoming a free agent, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2024.
Brynäs IF Era (2025–Present)
After completing his eighth North American professional season, Delia opted to pursue a career abroad. On July 11, 2025, he agreed to a one-year deal with Swedish club Brynäs IF of the SHL, marking his first experience playing professional hockey outside of North America. The move represented a new chapter in his career as he continued his goaltending journey on the international stage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Delia’s most memorable NHL moment came during his debut game on March 29, 2018, when an injury to him triggered one of the most unusual games in recent NHL history, with emergency goaltender Scott Foster entering to help the Blackhawks win 6–2. His three-year contract extension with Chicago in February 2019 reflected the organization’s belief in his upside, and his career-best 10-win NHL season with Vancouver in 2022–23 demonstrated his ability to produce when given a consistent role.
Collin Delia Career Wins
Collin Delia’s professional career has been defined by steady development across multiple leagues, including the ECHL, AHL, NHL, and SHL. His verified wins include a 9-win junior season at Merrimack College, career-best 10 NHL wins with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022–23, and 11 AHL wins with the Manitoba Moose in 2023–24. Each milestone reflects his persistence through a non-traditional path to the professional ranks.
Other Wins & Performances
Delia recorded 600 saves and a .889 save percentage in his sophomore season at Merrimack College, showcasing his workload capability. He was later named to the Hockey East Third Team All-Star following his junior year, a notable individual honor within one of college hockey’s most competitive conferences.
Collin Delia Family
Personal Life
Collin Delia was raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he first developed his love for hockey despite the region’s limited ice hockey infrastructure. His willingness to leave home as a young player to join the Amarillo Bulls of the NAHL demonstrated early dedication to pursuing the sport at a higher level. Details about his immediate family, marital status, and children are not publicly verified in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season marks Collin Delia’s first campaign with Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League, following the conclusion of his contract with the Edmonton Oilers. After eight seasons developing within the North American professional system, his move to Sweden represents an opportunity to reinvigorate his career in a new hockey environment. He is expected to serve as a goaltending option for Brynäs IF as the team competes in the SHL.
Delia’s transition to European hockey will test his adaptability to a different style of play, larger ice surfaces, and a new league structure. His prior experience as both a starter and a backup at the NHL and AHL levels should provide a solid foundation for success in Sweden. Fans and analysts will be watching to see how his established skill set translates to the SHL game.
Looking ahead, Delia’s performance with Brynäs IF could shape the next phase of his professional journey, whether that means continued play in Europe or a potential return to North American hockey. His career path, from undrafted college goaltender to international professional, continues to reflect a story of perseverance and adaptability.