Vinnie Hinostroza Bio
Vincent Enrique Hinostroza, known professionally as Vinnie Hinostroza, is an American professional ice hockey forward. He currently plays in the National Hockey League (NHL) and has built a journeyman career across multiple organizations since turning professional in 2015. Hinostroza entered the NHL after a decorated college career at the University of Notre Dame and has continued to contribute as a versatile depth forward at the top level.
Born on April 3, 1994, in Melrose Park, Illinois, Hinostroza grew up near Chicago and developed through elite youth hockey programs before committing to a college path. He is listed at 5 feet 10 inches tall and 183 pounds, and he shoots right-handed. Over the years, he has suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Minnesota Wild.
Early Life and Background
Vincent Enrique Hinostroza was born on April 3, 1994, in Melrose Park, Illinois, and raised in the surrounding Chicago suburbs. He is the son of Rick Hinostroza and Laura Hinostroza, and he grew up alongside an older sister named Carli. His paternal grandparents were originally from Ecuador, giving him a multicultural family background rooted in the American Midwest.
As a young athlete, Hinostroza attended Bartlett High School in Illinois, where he played lacrosse in addition to hockey. The Chicago area has long been a hotbed for youth hockey talent, and Hinostroza developed through the Chicago Mission AAA Youth Hockey Club, the same program that produced future NHL teammates Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz. With the Mission’s U16 midget team, he skated in 34 games, recording 13 goals and 21 assists while accumulating 38 penalty minutes, and he was also selected for USA Hockey’s Central District U16 camp.
His play in youth hockey earned him a selection by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the first round, fourth overall, of the 2010 USHL Futures Draft. While playing junior hockey in Iowa, Hinostroza attended Waterloo West High School in Waterloo, Iowa, where he graduated in 2012. He later committed to playing college hockey at the University of Notre Dame, setting the stage for his next developmental step.
Path to Professional Hockey
Hinostroza’s path to the NHL began in earnest with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League, where he continued to refine his offensive game and earned an NCAA commitment. His combination of speed, skill, and competitive edge made him an attractive college recruit, and he signed a tender with the University of Notre Dame to play in Hockey East.
At Notre Dame, Hinostroza skated two seasons with the Fighting Irish. During his freshman year in 2013–14, he was recognized on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team after a strong debut season. He elevated his play as a sophomore in 2014–15, earning a spot on the Hockey East First All-Star Team and establishing himself as one of the top college forwards in the conference.
Following that breakout sophomore campaign, Hinostroza made the decision to turn professional. On March 21, 2015, he signalled the end of his collegiate career by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that had originally selected him in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Vinnie Hinostroza Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Hinostroza began his professional career with the Rockford IceHogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, during the 2015–16 season. His play in the AHL led to a quick NHL recall. On October 17, 2015, he made his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets, recording two penalty minutes and two shots on goal in a 4–1 Blackhawks victory.
He spent parts of the next two seasons moving between Chicago and Rockford, gradually earning a more consistent role with the Blackhawks. On November 19, 2016, Hinostroza scored his first career NHL goal against goaltender Jacob Markström of the Vancouver Canucks, and he added two assists in the same game to help Chicago rally from a 3–0 deficit and win in overtime. On June 15, 2018, he agreed to a two-year contract with the Blackhawks, but his time in Chicago was about to end.
Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes Era (2015–2020)
Hinostroza’s main NHL foundation was built with the Blackhawks from 2015 through 2018, where he developed into a reliable bottom-six forward. Following his new contract, he was part of a major cap-clearing trade on July 12, 2018, sent to the Arizona Coyotes along with Marián Hossa, Jordan Oesterle, and a 2019 third-round pick in exchange for Andrew Campbell, MacKenzie Entwistle, Marcus Krüger, Jordan Maletta, and a 2019 fifth-round pick. The deal freed roughly $8.5 million in salary cap space for Chicago.
With the Coyotes, Hinostroza continued to play a regular role in the lineup, bringing speed and energy to Arizona’s forward group. His time in the desert ended on October 8, 2020, when the Coyotes declined to tender him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres Era (2020–2023)
On October 9, 2020, Hinostroza signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Florida Panthers. However, his stint in South Florida was brief. On April 2, 2021, he was traded back to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Brad Morrison, going scoreless in nine games with the Panthers but later producing four goals and eight assists in 14 games with Chicago.
Looking for a fresh start, Hinostroza signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 28, 2021. In 2021–22, he appeared in 62 games for the Sabres, recording 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points. During the 2022–23 season, he split time between Buffalo and their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, as he continued to provide organizational depth.
Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators Era (2023–2025)
On July 7, 2023, Hinostroza signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 2023–24 campaign saw him spend most of his time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL, although he received multiple NHL recalls and posted one goal and three points in 14 appearances with Pittsburgh.
After his Penguins deal expired, Hinostroza signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2024. He opened 2024–25 with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, where he led the league in scoring with 11 goals and 33 points before being recalled. He made his Predators debut on December 30, 2024, against the Winnipeg Jets and added two assists in 13 games before being placed on waivers.
Minnesota Wild Era (2025–Present)
On February 5, 2025, Hinostroza was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Wild, marking his next chapter. He joined an active Wild roster and continued to provide depth scoring and speed on the wing. Hinostroza remains under contract through the 2025–26 season, with his current deal carrying an annual value of $775,000.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hinostroza is recognized for his skating ability, energy, and offensive instincts at the NHL level. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 183 pounds, he plays a quick, north-south game and is effective as a depth scorer who can produce on lower lines. His right-handed shot and willingness to drive plays through the neutral zone have allowed him to maintain a long career as a versatile forward.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Hinostroza’s career came on November 19, 2016, when he scored his first NHL goal and added two assists to lead a comeback from a 3–0 deficit against Vancouver. He was also part of the 2018 Hossa trade to Arizona, a significant cap-driven deal in the NHL, and he led the AHL in scoring during the early part of the 2024–25 season with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Vinnie Hinostroza Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hinostroza comes from a close-knit family of Ecuadorian and American heritage. His father, Rick Hinostroza, and his mother, Laura Hinostroza, raised him in Illinois alongside his older sister, Carli. His paternal grandparents were originally from Ecuador, a cultural thread that remains part of his family identity.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Hinostroza’s personal life are limited. He grew up in Illinois and spent time in Iowa during his junior hockey years, balancing school with the demands of competitive hockey. There is no widely confirmed public information regarding a spouse or children at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Hinostroza’s 2024–25 season was split between the AHL and the NHL across two organizations. He began the year with the Milwaukee Admirals, where his 33 points led the American Hockey League in scoring before his recall by the Nashville Predators. His play in the AHL earned him another NHL opportunity, and he made the most of it before being claimed by the Minnesota Wild in February 2025.
With the Wild, Hinostroza provided depth and energy on a contending roster, contributing in a bottom-six role while his two-way contract kept him aligned with both the NHL club and the AHL’s Iowa Wild. His ability to play at both levels made him a valuable organizational piece during a competitive stretch of the season.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Hinostroza’s main goal is to remain a consistent contributor at the NHL level and continue providing speed and offensive touch for Minnesota. With a contract running through 2025–26, he is positioned to compete for a steady role on the Wild’s forward depth chart.
