Tyler Pitlick Bio
Tyler Pitlick is an American professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on November 1, 1991, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was selected 31st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 202 pounds, Pitlick has built a journeyman career across multiple organizations, contributing as a center and right-shot forward who is valued for his speed, forechecking, and penalty killing.
Since making his professional debut in 2011, Pitlick has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins organization, along with affiliates in the American Hockey League (AHL). He signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2025, returning to his home state for the next chapter of his career.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Pitlick was born on November 1, 1991, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in the Twin Cities area. He spent his early years in Champlin, Minnesota, before moving to Lino Lakes and later Centerville during middle school to live with his mother, Amy. Despite frequent moves, hockey remained a constant in his upbringing, and he developed his game in local rinks throughout the region.
His father, John Pitlick, worked as a researcher in Minneapolis and was a local hockey coach, though he intentionally chose not to coach his own son. This allowed Tyler to develop his game independently while still benefiting from a household deeply connected to the sport. The strong hockey environment in Minnesota gave him early exposure to high-level competition and helped shape his path toward junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Pitlick progressed through Minnesota’s youth hockey system before playing a freshman season with Minnesota State University, Mankato. After one season at the collegiate level, he transitioned to major junior hockey, joining the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League for a single season. His performance there convinced NHL scouts that he was ready for the professional ranks.
On April 13, 2011, the Edmonton Oilers signed Pitlick to a three-year entry-level contract, officially launching his professional career. Selected 31st overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, he entered the Oilers system as a promising two-way forward with offensive upside. His development path would take him through the AHL before eventually reaching the NHL roster.
Tyler Pitlick Career
Early Career (2011-2014)
Pitlick began his professional career with the Oklahoma City Barons, Edmonton’s AHL affiliate, during the 2011-12 season. After an adjustment period that included several early benchings, he found his footing and recorded seven goals and 23 points in 62 games, finishing second among Edmonton prospects with 130 shots on goal. The following season was more difficult, as a concussion in November 2012 and a knee injury in January 2013 limited him to 44 games and just three goals and seven assists.
He added six points in nine playoff games as Oklahoma City reached the Calder Cup conference finals. On October 22, 2013, Pitlick was recalled by Edmonton after Taylor Hall suffered a knee injury, and he made his NHL debut the same day, registering three hits and two shots in a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Four days later, he scored his first NHL goal against Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes, though a knee injury in that game forced him to miss 19 contests before finishing his first NHL stint with one goal in 11 games.
Dallas Stars Era (2017-2019)
After becoming a free agent following the 2016-17 season, Pitlick signed a three-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2017. He opened the 2017-18 campaign on a line with Radek Faksa and Antoine Roussel, earning praise from general manager Jim Nill for his speed and energy. Pitlick appeared in 80 of 82 games that season, producing 14 goals and 13 assists with a plus-9 rating while serving as a reliable defensive forward.
His second season in Dallas was interrupted by a wrist injury sustained after taking a hit from the Los Angeles Kings’ Dustin Brown. After undergoing surgery on February 6, 2018, to repair a displaced tendon, he returned in early April and scored a key goal against the Philadelphia Flyers that helped clinch a playoff berth. In 47 regular-season games, he posted 12 points and added six appearances in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, where the Stars advanced to the second round.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2019-2020)
On June 24, 2019, the Stars traded Pitlick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Ryan Hartman. A wrist surgery at the end of August delayed his start to training camp, and he struggled early, managing just two goals in his first 26 games. As the season progressed, his ice time grew, and he was even promoted to the top line when Travis Konecny missed time with a concussion.
In 63 games before the NHL paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitlick focused on penalty killing and recorded eight goals, 12 assists, and a plus-11 rating. He was one of 31 Flyers selected for the league’s playoff bubble in Toronto, where he played both the third and fourth lines and helped Philadelphia defeat the Boston Bruins in a round-robin game. Across 16 playoff games, he contributed two goals and one assist.
Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames Era (2020-2022)
On the first day of free agency in 2020, Pitlick signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes carrying an annual cap hit of $1.75 million. General manager Bill Armstrong valued his physicality, and Pitlick drew consistent praise throughout the 2020-21 season for his energy, speed, and strength on the forecheck. On March 6, 2021, he scored two goals against the Minnesota Wild, his first multi-goal game since December 2017. Injuries limited him late in the year, and he finished with six goals and five assists in 38 games.
On July 21, 2021, the Seattle Kraken selected Pitlick from Arizona in the 2021 NHL expansion draft, and the following day Seattle traded him to the Calgary Flames for a 2022 fourth-round pick.
Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues Era (2022-2023)
On February 14, 2022, Pitlick was traded along with Emil Heineman and draft picks to the Montreal Canadiens for winger Tyler Toffoli, joining his cousin Rem in the organization. After recovering from an injury, he played out the remainder of the 2021-22 season with the last-place Canadiens, registering three points in 14 games.
As a free agent the following summer, Pitlick accepted a professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues on September 1, 2022, and was later signed to a one-year contract on October 25 after Pavel Buchnevich was placed on injured reserve. He appeared in 61 games for the Blues, contributing seven goals and 16 points as the team missed the postseason.
New York Rangers Era (2023-2024)
On July 1, 2023, Pitlick signed a one-year, $787,500 contract with the New York Rangers, becoming a free-agent addition to his eighth NHL team. His production was limited, however, as he managed just one goal and four points in 34 games before the Rangers placed him on waivers on February 13, 2024. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, and he was later recalled by New York for the Stanley Cup playoffs after Hartford was eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs.
Boston Bruins Organization and Minnesota Wild Era (2024-Present)
Following his release from the Rangers, Pitlick signed a professional tryout with the Providence Bruins of the AHL on October 16, 2024. He produced 33 points in 43 games before the Boston Bruins signed him to a two-way contract for the remainder of the season on March 6, 2025.
On July 1, 2025, after concluding his contract with the Bruins, Pitlick signed a two-year, two-way deal with his hometown Minnesota Wild, bringing his career full circle back to the state where he first learned the game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pitlick is recognized throughout the league as a reliable defensive forward whose primary strengths include speed, forechecking, and penalty killing. Coaches have consistently praised his energy and willingness to play a physical, grinding style, while his offensive game has produced career-best seasons when given consistent top-nine minutes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Pitlick’s career are his first NHL goal against Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes on October 26, 2013, his 80-game debut season with the Dallas Stars in 2017-18, and his role on the Philadelphia Flyers’ playoff team inside the 2020 Toronto bubble. He has now suited up for nine different NHL organizations, a testament to his longevity and adaptability.
Tyler Pitlick Career Wins
Tyler Pitlick has not captured a major individual NHL award, but his career is marked by steady contributions at both the AHL and NHL levels across more than a decade of professional hockey.
NHL Highlights
Pitlick’s most productive NHL season came in 2017-18 with the Dallas Stars, when he set career highs with 14 goals and 13 assists in 80 games. His first NHL goal came on October 26, 2013, and he has since scored multi-goal games for the Stars, Coyotes, and Rangers organizations.
Other Wins and Performances
In the AHL, Pitlick posted a 23-point rookie season with the Oklahoma City Barons in 2011-12 and added six points in nine playoff games the following spring as Oklahoma City reached the Calder Cup conference finals. He later produced 33 points in 43 games for the Providence Bruins in 2024-25.
Tyler Pitlick Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tyler Pitlick comes from a hockey-playing family. His uncle, Lance Pitlick, played 339 games in the NHL with the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators. His cousin Rem Pitlick was drafted 76th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2016 and last played for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024, while another cousin, Rhett Pitlick, played NCAA hockey for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Mankato before being drafted 131st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2019.
Personal Life
Pitlick grew up primarily with his mother, Amy, after moving between Champlin, Lino Lakes, and Centerville during his school years. His father, John, remained involved in the sport as a local coach and researcher in Minneapolis, though he deliberately stepped back from coaching Tyler. Returning to Minnesota with the Wild in 2025 brings him back close to the family and community that shaped his early hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Tyler Pitlick signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2025, joining his hometown NHL team after a productive stint with the Boston Bruins organization. He is expected to compete for a bottom-six forward role with the Wild while also serving as a key contributor for the Iowa Wild, the team’s AHL affiliate.
Pitlick’s blend of speed, forechecking, and penalty killing should provide Minnesota with valuable depth as the club navigates a competitive Central Division. His familiarity with the organization and his history of producing offense in limited minutes give him a clear opportunity to carve out a regular role at the NHL level.
Looking ahead, Pitlick will aim to translate his strong 2024-25 AHL production into a stable NHL spot with the Wild, where his veteran presence and two-way play could make him a steady contributor throughout the 2025-26 campaign.