James van Riemsdyk Bio
James van Riemsdyk is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 4, 1989, in Middletown, New Jersey, he was an outstanding player in minor hockey and continued to excel, eventually being drafted second overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. After making his NHL debut in 2009, he played for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Flyers, amassing significant achievements including over 200 career goals and participation in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Married to Lauren Tjernlund, van Riemsdyk is also a father and continues to make contributions to the sport.
Early Life and Background
James van Riemsdyk was born in Middletown, New Jersey, to parents Frans and Allison van Riemsdyk. His family, particularly his father, were strong supporters of the New York Rangers of the NHL. Van Riemsdyk began playing ice hockey around the age of five, practicing at a rink in Old Bridge, New Jersey. He spent three years playing minor ice hockey with the American Eagles of the Monmouth County Youth Hockey Association, followed by six years with the Brick Hockey Club in Brick Township, New Jersey. During his tenure with the Brick Stars, both James and his brother Trevor took the club to a national championship. His hockey career continued at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, where he made the varsity team as a freshman in high school. He continued to play with Brick, serving as the team captain for the 2004–05 Midget AA season and leading the team to the Atlantic District Championship. That same year, van Riemsdyk was part of the New Jersey Parochial championship-winning team at CBA. In 2013, the Ocean Ice Palace in New Jersey, where van Riemsdyk had skated throughout his childhood, retired his No. 21 jersey.
Path to Hockey
Following the 2004–05 hockey season, van Riemsdyk left CBA to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In his two seasons with the NTDP, van Riemsdyk scored 65 goals and 124 points, tying for fifth- and seventh-highest in program history at the time, respectively. While playing for Team USA, van Riemsdyk became friends with future Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. Heading into the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked van Riemsdyk as the third-best North American skater out of all available prospects, behind Kane and Kyle Turris. The Philadelphia Flyers drafted van Riemsdyk second overall. Rather than immediately enter the professional leagues, van Riemsdyk chose to honor his commitment to the University of New Hampshire, where he was roommates with Capitals draft pick Phil DeSimone. As a freshman at New Hampshire during the 2007–08 NCAA season, van Riemsdyk was third on the team with 34 points in 31 games. He received two Hockey East Rookie of the Month selections and was a Hockey East All-Rookie Team selection. The following year, van Riemsdyk led New Hampshire in scoring before he decided to pursue professional hockey.
James van Riemsdyk Career
Early Career (2009–2012)
On April 1, 2009, van Riemsdyk signed an entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. He made his NHL debut on October 2, 2009, picking up his first NHL point with a power play assist in the Flyers’ 2–0 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. On October 24, he scored his first NHL goal in a 5–1 rout of the Florida Panthers. Van Riemsdyk continued his momentum through the month of November, scoring four goals and five assists in 12 games to be named the NHL Rookie of the Month. He finished the season with 15 goals and 35 points in 78 games. In his first playoff appearance, van Riemsdyk scored his first career playoff goal in a pivotal Game 7 against the Boston Bruins, helping the Flyers advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Van Riemsdyk continued his offensive trajectory during his sophomore 2010–11 season, scoring 21 goals in 75 games. He also landed his first Gordie Howe hat trick in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Breakthrough (2012–2018)
During the 2012 offseason, the Flyers traded van Riemsdyk to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Luke Schenn. His Toronto debut was delayed due to the 2012-13 NHL lockout, but when the season began, van Riemsdyk proceeded to score eight goals in his first 14 games. He finished the 48-game regular season with 18 goals and 14 assists, helping take the Leafs to their first playoff appearance since 2005. In the 2013–14 season, van Riemsdyk scored 30 goals and 30 assists, marking the best season of his career. He continued to be a key player for the Maple Leafs, contributing significantly to their offensive efforts.
Notable Works and Milestones
Van Riemsdyk’s notable achievements include scoring his 200th career NHL goal in 2018 and the 20,000th goal in Maple Leafs history. He also reached the milestone of 1,000 NHL games played in 2024. His career has been marked by significant contributions to his teams, both in regular season and playoff performances.
James van Riemsdyk Award Nominations
Throughout his career, James van Riemsdyk has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers, although specific nominations are not detailed.
James van Riemsdyk Awards Won
While there are no specific awards listed for James van Riemsdyk, his contributions to the sport and notable milestones reflect his impact on the game.
James van Riemsdyk Family
James van Riemsdyk is married to Lauren Tjernlund, and they have a daughter named Scarlett Everly, born in 2020. The family resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the hockey season and maintains a summer home in Minnesota.
Personal Life
Van Riemsdyk is actively involved in charitable efforts, including fundraising for Hurricane Sandy relief and supporting LGBTQ initiatives in sports. He has two younger brothers who also play professional ice hockey, contributing to a family legacy in the sport.
