Jake Oettinger Bio
Jakob Donald Oettinger is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, Oettinger plays the position with a left catch and has quickly become one of the league’s most dependable young netminders since making his debut in 2020. Selected 26th overall by Dallas in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, he has developed into the Stars’ franchise goaltender and a key piece of the United States men’s national team setup.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Oettinger rose through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program before starring at Boston University. After signing his first NHL contract in 2019, he progressed from the American Hockey League affiliate Texas Stars to the NHL roster, where he has since handled a heavy workload during deep playoff runs with Dallas.
Early Life and Background
Jakob Donald Oettinger was born on December 18, 1998, in Lakeville, Minnesota, to parents Chris Oettinger and Kateri Oettinger. He grew up in a hockey-friendly household and looked up to longtime New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, whose style and demeanor helped inspire Oettinger to pursue the position between the pipes. That early admiration for a fellow big, technical netminder shaped his approach to the craft.
Oettinger attended Lakeville North High School, where he accelerated his academics and graduated in just over two years. He also enrolled at the Boston University College of Communication, balancing a college education with his demanding hockey schedule. After spending his freshman year of high school at Lakeville North, he committed to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Juniors for the 2014–15 season, beginning his climb up the U.S. hockey ladder.
Path to Hockey
Oettinger played two seasons with the USNTDP Juniors while simultaneously committed to Boston University, facing top-tier amateur competition on a nightly basis. His performances with the program cemented him as one of the top goaltending prospects in North America heading into his draft year. By the time the 2017 NHL Entry Draft arrived, he was widely regarded as a first-round talent.
The Dallas Stars selected Oettinger in the first round, 26th overall, giving the Minnesota native a clear path to the NHL. He then headed to Boston University to refine his game at the collegiate level, where he would quickly establish himself as one of the top college goaltenders in the country before turning professional.
Jake Oettinger Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
During his freshman season at Boston University, Oettinger posted a 2.11 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage, earning the Hockey East Goaltender of the Month award for October. He was a two-time Hockey East Rookie of the Week, a two-time Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week, and a four-time Hockey East Top Performer, finishing the year on both the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and the Hockey East Second Team All-Star squad.
In his second season with the Terriers, Oettinger was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team of the 2018 Hockey East Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament and earned the William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player award after helping Boston win its ninth Hockey East Tournament title. Prior to the 2018–19 season, he was named an alternate captain for the Terriers alongside Chad Krys, signaling his leadership role within the program.
Dallas Stars Debut (2019–2021)
On March 25, 2019, Oettinger signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars and was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Texas Stars, on an amateur tryout contract. He recorded a .897 save percentage and a 3.34 goals-against average in his first eight AHL games. On March 3, 2020, he earned his first NHL call-up as Ben Bishop dealt with a lower-body injury, and he served as Anton Khudobin’s backup during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Oettinger made his NHL debut on September 8, 2020, in relief of Khudobin during the third period of the second game of the Western Conference finals against the Vegas Golden Knights. With Bishop still unavailable the following season, Oettinger became Khudobin’s backup before gradually edging ahead as Dallas’ starting goaltender. He made his regular-season debut on January 28, 2021, in a 7–3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, finishing the year with 24 starts, five relief appearances, and a .911 save percentage.
Establishing Himself as the Starter (2021–2023)
Oettinger began the 2021–22 season in the AHL with the Texas Stars but was quickly recalled and took over as Dallas’ starting goaltender. He posted a 30–15–1 record and a .914 save percentage in the regular season, credited as a key factor in the Stars earning the final wild card berth for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. Facing the Calgary Flames in the first round as underdogs, Oettinger led all goaltenders with a .954 save percentage, the second-highest in Stars playoff history behind only Ed Belfour in the 1998 conference semifinals.
In Game 7 against Calgary, Oettinger recorded 64 saves, the second-highest total in a Game 7 behind only Kelly Hrudey’s 73 during the 1987 Easter Epic, though the Stars were eliminated 3–2 in overtime. Following that performance, he signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension on September 1, 2022. He opened 2022–23 with a 5–1–0 record and a .960 save percentage before exiting a game against the New York Rangers on October 29 with a lower-body injury. He finished the year at 37–11–11 with a .919 save percentage, then led Dallas through the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, posting a second career shutout in Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild and helping the Stars reach the Western Conference finals before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games.
Dallas Stars Era (2023–Present)
Oettinger struggled early in the 2023–24 season but rebounded to finish 35–14–4 with a .905 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against average, representing the Stars at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. After dropping Game 1 to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, he went 8–4 with a save percentage above .940. He made 22 saves in a 2–1 win over Vegas and later stopped 30 of 31 shots against the Colorado Avalanche to help Dallas reach the Western Conference finals, where the Stars lost to the Edmonton Oilers in six games.
On October 17, 2024, Oettinger signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension, locking him in as Dallas’ long-term franchise goaltender. He earned his first shutout of the 2024–25 season in the home opener against the New York Islanders, winning 3–0. He was also selected as one of the United States’ goaltenders for the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he played one game, a 2–1 loss to Sweden, finishing the tournament with a .913 save percentage and a 2.06 goals-against average.
Driving Style and Strengths
Oettinger is widely praised for his size, technical structure, and calmness in high-pressure situations. His 6-foot-6 frame covers the lower portion of the net effectively, while his efficient movement and rebound control allow Dallas to play an aggressive defensive style in front of him. He has shown a particular ability to elevate his game during the Stanley Cup playoffs, where his workload and shot volume routinely rank among the league’s leaders.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Oettinger’s 64-save performance in Game 7 of the 2022 first-round series against the Calgary Flames stands out as one of the most memorable goaltending displays in recent playoff history. He has also represented the United States at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, the 4 Nations Face-Off, and was named to the U.S. roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Jake Oettinger Career Wins
Across his NHL career with the Dallas Stars, Oettinger has accumulated more than 100 regular-season wins while serving as the team’s primary starting goaltender since the 2021–22 season. He has been a central figure in multiple deep playoff runs, including trips to the 2020 Western Conference finals, 2023 Western Conference finals, 2024 Western Conference finals, and 2025 Western Conference finals.
NHL Highlights
Oettinger first gained national attention during the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, where his .954 save percentage in the first round set a Dallas franchise benchmark. He has since added playoff series wins over the Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg Jets, while earning multiple individual monthly and weekly awards during the regular season.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level with Boston University, Oettinger helped the Terriers capture the 2018 Hockey East Tournament title and earned the William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player award. He has also represented the United States in international competition, contributing to the American gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of the team’s goaltending group.
Jake Oettinger Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Oettinger was raised in Lakeville, Minnesota, by his father, Chris Oettinger, and his mother, Kateri Oettinger. His Minnesota roots and family support helped shape his development into one of the top American goaltending prospects of his generation.
Personal Life
Oettinger welcomed a baby in 2025, and after spending a month away from his family while representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, he opted not to attend the team’s White House visit or the State of the Union, citing his desire to return home and prepare for the NHL season. He remains focused on his career with the Dallas Stars and his growing family.
2025 Season Performance
Oettinger’s 2024–25 campaign was defined by his long-term commitment to Dallas, as he signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension on October 17, 2024. He opened the season with a 3–0 shutout win over the New York Islanders and continued to handle the bulk of the Stars’ goaltending workload throughout the regular season.
In the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Oettinger led Dallas past the Colorado Avalanche in a seven-game first-round series and then helped the Stars eliminate the Winnipeg Jets in six games in the second round, posting a .918 save percentage through two rounds. His playoff run came to an end in the Western Conference finals against the Edmonton Oilers, where he was pulled in Game 5 after allowing two goals on two shots.
Looking ahead, Oettinger remains firmly entrenched as the Dallas Stars’ franchise goaltender and is expected to anchor their net for years to come. Fresh off an Olympic gold medal with the United States and a deep playoff run, he enters the next season with momentum, veteran experience, and the security of a long-term contract.
