Zachary Aston-Reese Bio
Zachary Aston-Reese is an American professional ice hockey forward born on August 10, 1994, in Staten Island, New York. He currently plays in the National Hockey League (NHL), most recently associated with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and its American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing roughly 204 pounds, the left-shooting forward has built his career as a reliable bottom-six contributor known for his work ethic and willingness to play a physical brand of hockey.
Aston-Reese first gained NHL attention with the Pittsburgh Penguins after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017, and he has since appeared for the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Vegas Golden Knights. Across each stop, he has been valued for his responsible two-way play, penalty-killing reliability, and willingness to absorb hits along the boards. His journey from junior hockey in New Jersey to the NHL represents a patient, perseverance-driven ascent through the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Aston-Reese was raised in the New York City borough of Staten Island, where he grew up as the youngest of four children. His parents, William Sr. and Carolyn (née Buckheit), raised him alongside his three older siblings: a sister, Kristen, and two brothers, Todd and William Jr. The close-knit family environment on Staten Island helped shape his grounded personality and his strong work ethic, traits that later became hallmarks of his professional approach to hockey.
He attended PS 45 in West Brighton and Morris Intermediate School in Brighton Heights before enrolling at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, where he played his freshman year of hockey. His early introduction to the sport came through local rinks and school programs in the New York metropolitan area. By the time he reached his teenage years, his blend of size, speed, and hockey sense made him an attractive prospect for junior teams in the region.
Path to Professional Hockey
Aston-Reese launched his junior career with the New Jersey Rockets of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) during the 2010–11 season. That same year, he also appeared in the United States Hockey League (USHL), suiting up for two games with the Des Moines Buccaneers and 25 games with the Lincoln Stars. He then joined the Lincoln Stars full-time for the 2011–12 campaign, recording 5 goals and 10 assists across 53 games and demonstrating a consistent scoring touch at the tier-one junior level.
After one more season with the Stars, Aston-Reese committed to Northeastern University, where he played four seasons for the Huskies. During the 2015–16 season, the Huskies captured the Hockey East Tournament championship, giving Aston-Reese his first major college trophy. The following year, he earned Hockey East First All-Star Team honors, NCAA Division I First All-American Team recognition, and the Hockey East Player of the Year award. He was also named a Hobey Baker hat trick finalist, cementing his status as one of the top collegiate players in the country despite going undrafted by NHL clubs.
Zachary Aston-Reese Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
On March 14, 2017, Aston-Reese signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an undrafted free agent. He was immediately assigned to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he posted eight points in ten games to close out the year. His strong finish in the minors gave Pittsburgh confidence that he could eventually contribute at the NHL level.
Aston-Reese began the 2017–18 season in the American Hockey League but earned his first NHL call-up soon after. He made his NHL debut on February 3, 2018, against the New Jersey Devils, and just ten days later he scored his first two NHL goals in a 6–3 win over the Ottawa Senators on February 13. He finished his rookie campaign with regular NHL duty and made his postseason debut on April 11 against the Philadelphia Flyers, recording his first playoff point by assisting Riley Sheahan on April 18. His postseason was cut short by a hit from Washington’s Tom Wilson during Game 3 of the second round, resulting in a broken jaw and a concussion.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2018–2022)
After recovering from his playoff injuries, Aston-Reese was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to begin the 2018–19 season. He responded with six goals in eleven AHL games before being recalled to the NHL on November 6, where he added six goals and eleven points over his next thirty contests. A broken hand suffered on January 8, 2019, against the Florida Panthers limited his playing time, but he had already proven he belonged in the Penguins’ lineup.
On July 22, 2019, the Penguins rewarded his progress with a two-year, $2 million contract extension. Following the 2020–21 campaign, Aston-Reese filed for salary arbitration but settled before his hearing, signing a one-year, $1.725 million deal on August 5, 2021. His time in Pittsburgh came to a close on March 21, 2022, when he was traded, along with Dominik Simon, prospect Calle Clang, and a second-round pick, to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Rickard Rakell.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2022–2023)
As an unrestricted free agent, Aston-Reese joined the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout ahead of the 2022–23 season. Following a productive pre-season showing, he signed a one-year, $840,000 contract with the Maple Leafs on October 9, 2022. He quickly became a fixture on Toronto’s checking lines and penalty-killing units, scoring his first goal as a Maple Leaf in a 5–2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on November 2.
Aston-Reese finished the 2022–23 regular season with ten goals and fourteen points across 77 games, providing the Maple Leafs with steady depth scoring and responsible defense. He also took part in Toronto’s first postseason series victory since 2004, marking one of the most memorable team milestones of his career. His reliable two-way contributions made him a popular figure in the Toronto locker room during his single season with the club.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2023–2024)
After his release from a professional tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes in October 2023, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings on October 8, 2023. He opened the 2023–24 season with Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before receiving his first recall to the Red Wings on October 14. He was reassigned the following day without appearing in a game for Detroit at that time.
On December 11, 2023, Aston-Reese was recalled again on an emergency basis to address a string of forward injuries and made his season debut that night in a 6–3 loss to the Dallas Stars. He was returned to Grand Rapids four days later, but he had successfully reintroduced himself to the NHL lineup and provided Detroit with valuable depth during a stretch run marked by roster attrition.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. Before ever suiting up for Vegas, however, he was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 7, 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 season. He has since been assigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL while remaining under contract to Columbus, providing the organization with experienced forward depth at both levels.
Driving Style and Strengths
Aston-Reese is recognized around the league as a hard-nosed, defense-first forward whose value rarely shows up on highlight reels. He excels in board battles, forechecking pressure, and penalty-killing situations, using his 6-foot frame and relentless motor to wear down opposing top lines. Coaches have consistently trusted him in the final minutes of one-goal games, citing his composure, hockey IQ, and willingness to block shots as defining attributes of his craft.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Aston-Reese’s career are his first NHL goals against Ottawa on February 13, 2018, his participation in Toronto’s first playoff series win since 2004, and his Hobey Baker hat trick finalist honor during his senior season at Northeastern. The broken jaw and concussion he suffered at the hands of Washington’s Tom Wilson in the 2018 playoffs also remain a stark reminder of the physical toll the sport can exact, even as Aston-Reese continued his career without long-term setbacks.
Zachary Aston-Reese Career Wins
Although Aston-Reese is not primarily a goal-scorer, his career features several milestone offensive achievements across junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. From his early production with the Lincoln Stars to his double-digit goal totals in the NHL, he has consistently delivered timely contributions when his teams have needed them most.
NHL Highlights
Aston-Reese’s first NHL goals came against the Ottawa Senators on February 13, 2018, and he went on to record ten goals during the 2022–23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Maple Leafs, contributing important depth minutes and his first career playoff point against Philadelphia in April 2018.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Aston-Reese helped Northeastern win the 2015–16 Hockey East Tournament championship and personally captured the 2016–17 Hockey East Player of the Year award. His two-game stint with the Des Moines Buccaneers and 25-game run with the Lincoln Stars further established his track record of stepping up against quality junior competition.
Zachary Aston-Reese Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zachary Aston-Reese’s family has been a foundational influence throughout his hockey journey. He is the youngest of four children born to William Sr. and Carolyn (née Buckheit) Aston-Reese, with older siblings Kristen, Todd, and William Jr. The close-knit household on Staten Island nurtured his passion for hockey and continues to support his professional pursuits.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Aston-Reese pursued a college education in graphic design at Northeastern University, a skill set he occasionally put to use in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ front office, where he helped design gameday programs. He continues to be active on social media, where fans can follow his hockey journey. His Staten Island roots remain an important part of his identity, and he carries the values of hard work and humility learned from his family into every locker room he joins.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Zachary Aston-Reese is in the fold of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, providing both NHL and AHL depth out of the Cleveland Monsters. The Blue Jackets’ ongoing youth movement has given veteran forwards like Aston-Reese an opportunity to mentor younger players while competing for spot duty at the top level. His ability to slot into a checking-line or penalty-killing role gives the coaching staff valuable lineup flexibility throughout the marathon regular season.
Early in the calendar year, Aston-Reese’s main focus will be establishing himself as a trusted option in Cleveland while remaining ready for an NHL recall should injuries strike Columbus. His experience in playoff environments with Pittsburgh and Toronto makes him an ideal emergency call-up when games tighten up and defensive matchups become critical. Expect him to log heavy special-teams minutes in the AHL while pushing for another sustained look with the Blue Jackets.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, Aston-Reese’s professional outlook hinges on whether Columbus chooses to retain him beyond his current deal or pursue depth additions elsewhere. His track record of professionalism and his two-way reliability suggest that, regardless of where he lands, he will continue to be a stabilizing presence for any club that signs him.