Roope Hintz Bio
Roope Hintz is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 17 November 1996 in Nokia, Finland, he began his career with Ilves in his homeland before being drafted 49th overall by the Stars in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing about 213 pounds, Hintz has become known for his scoring touch and his role as a top-line center in Dallas. He earned the nickname “Ace of Spades” for his sharp offensive instincts on the ice.
Early Life and Background
Roope Hintz was born on 17 November 1996 in Nokia, Finland, to parents Kai and Marika. Both parents had a background in organized basketball, and Hintz himself played organized basketball, soccer, and hockey while growing up. He eventually followed his brother Miiko into ice hockey and began skating at the Nokia Pyry Skating School at the age of three. That early start in Nokia shaped his lifelong comfort with the game and laid the foundation for a professional career.
Hintz continued to develop within the Ilves organization through his teenage years. As a multi-sport athlete, he built the balance, coordination, and competitive habits that later helped him adapt to faster North American hockey. His parents supported his commitment to hockey, and his brother Miiko served as an early influence on the ice.
Path to Hockey
Hintz was encouraged to spend the 2012–13 season in North America, playing for the Tampa Bay Juniors of the Empire Junior Hockey League and briefly appearing with the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League. Across 20 games with the Juniors, he tallied 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points while adjusting to smaller ice surfaces. That experience prepared him for his professional debut with Ilves in the 2013–14 Liiga season, where he played seven games while spending most of the year with Finland’s U20 team.
During the 2014–15 Liiga season, Hintz was the youngest player on Ilves and produced five goals and 12 assists for 17 points through 42 games, finishing eighth in points and seventh in assists on the squad. His strong play drew attention from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, which ranked him among the top eligible European skaters and led to his selection by the Dallas Stars with the 49th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Roope Hintz Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
On 23 April 2015, after two seasons with Ilves, Hintz transferred to fellow Liiga club HIFK on a two-year contract. He missed the start of the 2015–16 season due to injury but returned to HIFK as their second-line center and produced two goals and three assists within his first ten games back. He finished that campaign with 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points through 44 games and led the entire Liiga in playoff scoring with three goals and 11 assists for 14 points through 14 games before HIFK was eliminated.
Following the 2016–17 Liiga season, Hintz signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars and was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Texas Stars. He made his AHL debut on 5 October 2017, scoring in a 6–5 win over the Chicago Wolves, and tied for fifth on the team with 27 points by March. His strong rookie season helped lead Texas to the 2018 Calder Cup Finals against the Toronto Marlies.
Dallas Stars Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Hintz made his NHL debut on 4 October 2018 with the Dallas Stars, logging 9:59 of ice time and recording four hits in a 3–0 win over the Arizona Coyotes. After a brief reassignment to the AHL, he scored his first NHL goal on 18 November 2018 at the Barclays Center in a 6–2 victory over the New York Islanders. By February 2019, Hintz had earned top-six minutes alongside Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov and scored the overtime game-winner that secured the Stars’ wildcard spot for the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.
During the 2019 playoffs, Hintz scored his first two career playoff goals on 17 April 2019 against the Nashville Predators and tied Alexander Radulov for the team lead with five postseason goals before Dallas was eliminated by the St. Louis Blues. The following 2019–20 campaign cemented his role as a top-line center, as he led the Stars with nine goals and 11 points through October before injuries briefly interrupted his pace. He later scored the game-tying and overtime game-winning goals in a February contest against the Blues, becoming the first Stars player since Mike Ribeiro to accomplish that feat.
Dallas Stars Era (2020–Present)
When the NHL resumed play in August 2020, Hintz helped lead the Stars past the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights to reach the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Following the playoff run, general manager Jim Nill signed him to a three-year contract extension worth $9.45 million. During the shortened 2020–21 season, Hintz posted career highs in goals, assists, and points while playing through injury.
In 2021–22, Hintz centered Dallas’ top line alongside Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson, with that trio combining for nearly 44 percent of the Stars’ goals. On 30 November 2021, he recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes and reached 30 goals in just 65 games. On 29 November 2022, he signed an eight-year, $67.6 million contract extension to remain in Dallas. On 19 April 2023, he recorded his first postseason hat-trick in a 7–3 win over the Minnesota Wild, becoming the fourth Stars player ever and the first in Dallas to score a playoff hat-trick.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hintz combines size, skating, and a strong two-way game, which allows him to anchor a top line and play in all situations. His comfort on smaller North American rinks and his willingness to drive the net make him effective on the cycle and in transition, while his faceoff work has steadily improved since his early NHL days. He is recognized for his calm playmaking and his knack for delivering in key moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hintz’s signature moments are his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders, his first playoff goals against the Nashville Predators, and his first NHL hat-trick against the Carolina Hurricanes. His postseason hat-trick against the Minnesota Wild in 2023 stands as a franchise milestone, and his run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals highlighted his emergence as a core Star.
Roope Hintz Career Wins
Roope Hintz’s career has featured consistent offensive production across the Liiga, AHL, and NHL levels, including multiple 30-goal NHL seasons and key playoff performances.
Dallas Stars Highlights
With the Dallas Stars, Hintz has produced multiple 30-goal seasons, recorded his first NHL hat-trick against the Carolina Hurricanes, and scored a memorable postseason hat-trick against the Minnesota Wild. His first NHL goal came on 18 November 2018 against the New York Islanders, and his most recent hat-trick on 19 April 2023 highlighted his continued growth as a top-line center.
Other Wins and Performances
With HIFK in the Liiga, Hintz led the entire league in playoff scoring with 14 points in 14 games during the 2015–16 postseason. He also represented Finland internationally and won a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Roope Hintz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hintz was raised in Nokia, Finland, by his parents Kai and Marika, both of whom had a background in organized basketball. His brother Miiko also played ice hockey and helped guide Roope into the sport at the Nokia Pyry Skating School.
Personal Life
Roope Hintz is a Finnish national who makes his home in the Dallas area while playing for the Stars. He continues to maintain strong ties to Finland, spending time in his home country during off-seasons.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NHL season, Roope Hintz remains a cornerstone of the Dallas Stars as an alternate captain and top-line center. His long-term contract extension, signed in November 2022, keeps him under contract through the 2029–30 season and reflects his central role in the franchise’s plans. The Stars continue to build their attack around Hintz, Joe Pavelski, and Jason Robertson, a line that has driven a large share of the team’s offensive output in recent years.
With a full training camp and a clean bill of health expected, Hintz will look to build on his consistent 30-goal pace and his track record of delivering in high-leverage moments. His blend of scoring, two-way play, and playoff poise makes him a key driver of any Stars push toward the Stanley Cup in 2025. His continued presence on the top line gives Dallas one of the most reliable center-anchor combinations in the league.
