Mark Kastelic Bio
Mark Kastelic (born March 11, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays the center position for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 234 pounds, he is recognized for his physical, fourth-line style of play and his willingness to engage in the demanding areas of the ice. Kastelic was selected in the fifth round, 125th overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators and has since built a reputation as a hard-working depth forward at the professional level.
After beginning his professional career in the Ottawa Senators organization, where he split time between the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Belleville and the NHL roster, Kastelic was traded to the Boston Bruins in June 2024. In Boston, he quickly earned a regular role on the team’s fourth line and signed a three-year contract extension that keeps him with the Bruins through the 2027-28 season.
Early Life and Background
Mark Kastelic was born on March 11, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona, where he spent his early years developing a love for the game of hockey. Growing up in the desert Southwest, he played his youth ice hockey with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes program, one of the prominent amateur organizations in the region. He attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix while continuing to play competitive youth hockey during his teenage years.
Coming from a family with deep roots in the sport, Kastelic was introduced to the game at a young age. His Slovenian heritage and family connections to professional hockey helped shape his understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest levels. The combination of a strong youth program in Phoenix and the guidance of family members who had played professionally gave him a steady foundation before he made the jump to major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Kastelic joined the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2015, beginning a five-season run with one of Canada’s most established junior programs. The move from Phoenix to Calgary represented a significant step in his development, as the WHL is widely regarded as one of the top development leagues for future NHL players. He progressed steadily through the ranks with the Hitmen and was named team captain for both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
His most productive junior season came in 2018-19, when he scored 47 goals and recorded 77 points, establishing himself as one of the top overage players available for the upcoming NHL Draft. Despite his strong performance that year, Kastelic had gone undrafted in his two previous eligible seasons. His breakout campaign finally convinced an NHL club to select him, and the Ottawa Senators picked him 125th overall in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Mark Kastelic Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
After being drafted by the Ottawa Senators, Kastelic signed a three-year entry-level contract with the organization. He returned to the Calgary Hitmen for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, where he continued to serve as team captain and develop his two-way game. His leadership and consistent production with the Hitmen helped him earn an invitation to join the Senators’ professional affiliate in Belleville.
In 2021, Kastelic made his professional debut with the Belleville Senators of the AHL, Ottawa’s primary minor-league team. The transition to professional hockey allowed him to refine his physical style of play and adjust to the pace and structure of the pro game. His strong work ethic and willingness to play a heavy, responsible game soon caught the attention of the Ottawa coaching staff.
Ottawa Senators Breakthrough (2021-2024)
Kastelic received his first NHL call-up in January 2022 after several Ottawa players were sidelined by injuries. He made his NHL debut on January 29, 2022, against the Anaheim Ducks, marking the beginning of his top-level career. Later that season, on April 23, 2022, he scored his first two NHL goals, including the game-winner, in a 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
During the 2022-23 season, Kastelic earned a regular spot with the Senators out of training camp and quickly became a fixture in the lineup. His strong early play led general manager Pierre Dorion to sign him to a two-year, $1.67 million contract extension on October 27, 2022. One of the highlights of that season came on January 13, 2023, when Kastelic scored the game-winning goal in a 5-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes, playing an NHL game in his hometown of Phoenix for the first time. He was briefly sent back to Belleville in February 2023 due to illness, but was recalled later that same month.
Boston Bruins Era (2024-Present)
On June 24, 2024, Kastelic was traded, along with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and a 2024 first-round draft pick, to the Boston Bruins in exchange for goaltender Linus Ullmark. The move gave him an opportunity to take on a defined role with a contending Original Six franchise. He made the Bruins roster out of training camp and quickly provided scoring and physicality on the team’s fourth line.
His first season in Boston featured several memorable performances. On October 10, 2024, he recorded his second career two-goal game against the Montreal Canadiens. Four days later, on October 14, 2024, he posted his first career three-point game with three assists in a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers. He also played a key role in the Bruins’ Centennial Game against Montreal, registering two assists in a 6-3 win. His early-season contributions led the Bruins to sign him to a three-year, $1.567 million AAV contract extension on January 3, 2025.
Following the 4 Nations Face-Off break in mid-February 2025, the Bruins experienced a difficult stretch, and Kastelic’s production slowed. He was injured on March 22, 2025, against the Vegas Golden Knights, and on April 10, 2025, the team announced that he would not return for the remainder of the season. He finished his first year in Boston with five goals and nine assists for 14 points, tying his career high in goals while setting new career highs in assists and total points.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kastelic is best known for his physical, energy-driven style of play, which fits naturally into a fourth-line role. He excels at winning battles along the boards, finishing checks, and providing a strong forechecking presence. His straight-line speed and willingness to engage in the tough areas of the ice have made him a reliable option for coaches looking to shift momentum. Combined with improving offensive touch, his game has become a balanced mix of physicality and dependable two-way play.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Kastelic’s career came on January 13, 2023, when he scored the game-winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes in his hometown of Phoenix. His first career three-point performance against the Florida Panthers in October 2024 also stood out as a sign of his growing offensive game. Additionally, his role in the Bruins’ Centennial Game victory over Montreal highlighted his ability to contribute in high-profile matchups.
Mark Kastelic Career Wins
While Mark Kastelic is not primarily recognized as a goal-scoring forward, he has produced several notable performances and milestone wins during his time with the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins organizations. His willingness to play in all situations and contribute in key moments has made him a valued depth forward.
NHL Highlights
Kastelic’s first two NHL goals came in a 6-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens on April 23, 2022, including the eventual game-winning marker. He added a game-winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes on January 13, 2023, and recorded a two-goal game against the Montreal Canadiens on October 10, 2024, early in his Bruins tenure. His first three-point game came on October 14, 2024, with three assists against the Florida Panthers.
Other Wins and Performances
In the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, Kastelic posted a career-best 47 goals and 77 points during the 2018-19 season, serving as team captain. He continued to develop his professional game with the Belleville Senators in the AHL before establishing himself as an NHL regular with the Ottawa Senators and later the Boston Bruins.
Mark Kastelic Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Mark Kastelic comes from a family with deep ties to professional hockey and is of Slovenian descent. His father, Ed Kastelic, is a former professional ice hockey player who appeared in 220 NHL games for the Washington Capitals and the Hartford Whalers. His grandfather, Pat Stapleton, played more than 600 NHL games for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins, while his uncle, Mike Stapleton, appeared in 697 NHL games across several teams. This multi-generational hockey background has played a major role in shaping Mark’s understanding of the professional game.
Personal Life
Mark Kastelic continues to focus on his NHL career with the Boston Bruins, where he is signed through the 2027-28 season. His family connections to the sport remain a central part of his identity, with multiple relatives having played at the highest level of professional hockey. Public details about his personal life beyond his career and family are limited.
2025 Season Performance
Mark Kastelic’s 2025 season with the Boston Bruins began on a strong note, as he earned a regular role on the team’s fourth line out of training camp. His early production, including a two-goal game against the Montreal Canadiens and a three-assist performance against the Florida Panthers, made him one of the team’s most consistent bottom-six contributors through the first half of the campaign. The Bruins rewarded his play with a three-year contract extension signed on January 3, 2025.
Following the 4 Nations Face-Off break in mid-February 2025, however, both Kastelic and the Bruins experienced a significant dip in form. The team struggled to generate results during the second half of the season, and Kastelic managed only one goal after the break. He suffered an injury on March 22, 2025, against the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Bruins announced on April 10, 2025, that he would not return for the remainder of the regular season.
Kastelic finished the 2025 campaign with five goals and nine assists for 14 points, tying his career high in goals while setting new highs in assists and total points. Despite the difficult ending, his first season in Boston confirmed his value as a physical, dependable depth forward with growing offensive upside.
