Nathan Bastian

Nathan Bastian Bio

Nathan Bastian is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 6, 1997, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Bastian was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 41st overall, during the 2016 NHL entry draft. The 6-foot-4, 217-pound forward has established himself as a physical presence on the ice throughout his NHL career, bringing an aggressive style of play and leadership to every lineup he joins.

Early Life and Background

Nathan Bastian grew up in Kitchener, Ontario, where he began developing his passion for hockey at a young age. As a youth player, he laced up his skates for the Brantford 99ers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2013-14 season. In 29 games with the midget-level team, Bastian demonstrated his offensive abilities by recording 27 points, including 11 goals and 16 assists. His strong performance caught the attention of Ontario Hockey League scouts, setting the stage for his transition to major junior hockey.

Prior to joining the OHL, Bastian attended the Mississauga Steelheads priority selection on April 6, 2013. The Steelheads selected him in the seventh round, 127th overall. This draft day selection marked the beginning of his journey through the Canadian major junior hockey system, which would serve as the foundation for his professional career.

Path to Professional Hockey

Bastian joined the Mississauga Steelheads midway through the 2013-14 season, appearing in 21 games and contributing three points. His first full campaign came during the 2014-15 season, where he emerged as a reliable two-way player by suiting up for all 68 games and tallying 46 points. His work ethic and consistency earned him the Steelheads’ Hardest Working Player award, highlighting the characteristics that would define his professional career.

During the 2015-16 season, Bastian elevated his game to new heights while playing on the Steelheads’ top line. He recorded 19 goals and 40 assists for 59 points in 64 games, demonstrating his ability to produce offensively at a high level. His standout performances earned him a selection to Team Orr for the prestigious 2016 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where he helped lead his team to victory. Following the season, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him 35th overall among North American skaters, solidifying his draft stock ahead of the 2016 NHL entry draft.

Nathan Bastian Career

New Jersey Devils Era (2017-2021)

Nathan Bastian signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils on October 20, 2016, officially beginning his professional journey. After attending the Devils’ training camp, he was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, to start the 2017-18 season. He scored his first professional goal on a penalty shot during the season opener on October 7, 2017, helping the Devils to a 2-1 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders. Throughout his rookie professional season, Bastian recorded 10 goals and eight assists in 68 games, showing promise as an emerging power forward.

Bastian began the 2018-19 season with Binghamton before receiving his first NHL recall on January 19, 2019. He made his NHL debut that same night against the Anaheim Ducks, where he immediately made an impact by dropping the gloves in his first NHL fight against Josh Manson. Three days later, on February 25, he scored his first NHL goal in a 2-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens. His brief NHL stint that season included three goals in seven games, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level.

Before the 2020-21 season, Bastian earned a spot on New Jersey’s opening roster for the first time in his career. He appeared in 41 games that campaign, recording three goals and seven assists while leading the team in hits with 136. His physical style of play and ability to create energy shifts made him a valuable contributor to the Devils’ forward group. Following the season, he was re-signed to a two-year contract worth $1.65 million, signaling the team’s commitment to his development.

Seattle Kraken and Return to New Jersey (2021-2023)

On July 21, 2021, the Seattle Kraken selected Bastian from the Devils during the 2021 NHL expansion draft, adding him to their inaugural roster for the 2021-22 season. He scored his first goal with the team on November 6, 2021, in a 5-4 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. However, after appearing in just 12 games and recording one assist, the Kraken placed him on waivers on November 24. The New Jersey Devils claimed him off waivers the following day, returning him to the organization where he had spent the previous four seasons.

Upon his return to New Jersey, Bastian contributed 11 goals and five assists in 60 games during the 2021-22 season. The following campaign saw him battle through injuries, including a shoulder injury sustained on November 26, 2022, that required him to be placed on injured reserve. Despite the setbacks, he managed to record six goals and nine assists in 43 games. Notably, he scored his first career NHL playoff goal during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs in a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He continued with the Devils through the 2023-24 season before his journey would take another significant turn.

Dallas Stars Era (2025-Present)

On August 9, 2025, as an unrestricted free agent, Nathan Bastian signed a one-year contract worth $775,000 with the Dallas Stars. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined a franchise known for its competitive roster and strong organizational culture. The Stars, based in Dallas, Texas, have consistently been contenders in the Western Conference, providing Bastian with an opportunity to compete for a Stanley Cup championship while continuing to develop his game at the NHL level.

Driving Style and Strengths

Nathan Bastian plays the game with a physical, aggressive style that makes him a threat every time he steps onto the ice. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 217 pounds, he uses his size effectively to win board battles, protect the puck, and deliver punishing hits. His right-handed shot and excellent reach allow him to create space in tight areas, while his willingness to engage physically has made him a respected enforcer throughout his career. Bastian’s energy line style brings momentum-changing shifts to his team’s lineup, and his ability to contribute offensively while playing a physical game makes him a valuable two-way forward.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Bastian has accumulated several notable milestones that highlight his journey through professional hockey. His NHL debut against the Anaheim Ducks on January 19, 2019, stands out as a memorable moment, not only for the occasion but also for his immediate willingness to drop the gloves in a fight. Scoring his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens just days later provided additional memorable moments during his rookie campaign. His first career playoff goal during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs represented another significant achievement in his professional career.

Nathan Bastian Career Statistics

Throughout his NHL career spanning from 2019 to present, Nathan Bastian has established himself as a reliable two-way forward capable of contributing both offensively and through his physical style of play. His career has included stops with three NHL franchises, each representing different chapters of his professional development and growth as a player.

Major League Highlights

Bastian’s most productive professional seasons have come during his time with the New Jersey Devils, where he appeared in over 200 games across multiple campaigns. His best statistical output came during the 2019-20 season with Binghamton in the AHL, where he recorded 22 assists and 38 points in 62 games. At the NHL level, his highest goal totals came during the 2021-22 season with the Devils, when he found the back of the net 11 times while adding five assists for 16 points in 60 games. His ability to stay healthy and contribute consistently has been a key factor throughout his career, though injuries have occasionally interrupted his momentum.

Minor League and Junior Achievements

Before reaching the NHL, Bastian built an impressive resume in the Ontario Hockey League with the Mississauga Steelheads. During his final junior season in 2016-17, he recorded 16 goals and 29 assists for 45 points in 58 games, following that up with an exceptional playoff performance that included seven goals and seven assists in 20 games. His playoff heroics helped lead the Steelheads to the OHL Finals, where they ultimately fell to the Erie Otters in five games.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025-26 season marks a new beginning for Nathan Bastian as he joins the Dallas Stars organization. After spending the previous seasons with the Devils, where he battled through injuries and managed four goals and six assists in 59 games during the 2024-25 campaign, Bastian enters training camp with fresh motivation. His one-year contract with the Stars represents both an opportunity and a challenge as he looks to earn a consistent role in the lineup and contribute to a team with championship aspirations.

Bastian’s integration into the Stars’ system brings together his physical style of play with a franchise that values two-way forwards capable of playing in all situations. His experience spanning over 200 NHL games, combined with his ability to provide energy and physicality, gives Dallas a valuable depth option who can slide into various roles within the forward corps. The Stars’ coaching staff will likely look to utilize his size and net-front presence on special teams while counting on his veteran presence to help guide younger players in the locker room.