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Austin Strand

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Austin Strand, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 28 November 202511 sources
Austin Strand
Born (1997-02-17) February 17, 1997 (age 29)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
OccupationProfessional ice hockey defenceman
Years active2014–present
Known forPlaying for Utica Comets in the AHL; NHL stints with Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks

Austin Strand (born February 17, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League (AHL). His previous NHL experience includes stints with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.

Early life

Strand entered the world in Calgary, Alberta, born to parents Leanne and Wade. He was raised alongside his elder brother Coleton and sister Krysten.[1] During his youth hockey years, he teamed up with Austin Wagner on the Calgary Bantam AA Blazers before both progressed to Bantam AAA Northstar Sabres and then Midget AAA Calgary Northstars.[2]

Major junior

Selected in the third round, 48th overall, by the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Strand spent one final season at the AAA level before debuting in the WHL in 2014.[1] He attributed his ability to secure a roster spot to dedicated physical and mental preparation during the offseason. On October 14, 2014, he netted his first WHL goal, catching the attention of Rebels associate coach Jeff Truitt for his swift progress.[3] By March 2015, Strand had accumulated four goals and 13 points across 54 games and was recognized by NHL scouts with a mid-term ranking of 66 by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[4] Nevertheless, he was not selected in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

In the following 2015–16 season, Strand contributed two goals and eleven assists while fulfilling a key shutdown defensive role and earning a plus-nine rating.[5] His efforts were instrumental in propelling the Rebels to compete in the 2016 Memorial Cup.[6]

During the 2016–17 campaign, Strand improved on his previous point totals early on before being traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds in December 2016.[7] Taking on a leadership position with Seattle, he helped guide the team to win both the Ed Chynoweth Cup and participate in the 2017 Memorial Cup.[8] After their playoff exit, he attended training camp with the Edmonton Oilers but was released from his amateur tryout contract in September.[9]

In his concluding junior year, Strand signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on November 28, 2017.[10] He completed the season with totals of 25 goals and 39 assists for an overall tally of 64 points in 69 games before being assigned to the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.[11]

Professional

Strand joined the Ontario Reign to conclude the 2017–18 campaign but did not take to the ice. He returned for the 2018–19 season; however, prior to its start, he was loaned to the ECHL's Manchester Monarchs, where he tallied two points over six contests. Recalled by the Reign on November 2, he made his AHL debut on November 25, contributing an assist in a 7–6 overtime victory against the Tucson Roadrunners. During his rookie year, Strand alternated between the Reign and Monarchs before earning a consistent role with Ontario in the latter half of the season.

Before the 2020–21 season commenced, Strand inked a one-year extension with the Kings and was assigned to their taxi squad once NHL play resumed. He debuted in the NHL on February 5, 2021, in a defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights. Shortly thereafter, he received a $3,168.10 fine for spearing an opposing player during a match.

Following four seasons within the Kings organization, Strand agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with the Anaheim Ducks on July 14, 2022. Throughout the 2022–23 season, he appeared in five scoreless games for Anaheim while primarily skating for their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. On March 3, 2023, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Chase Priskie and completed the season with their AHL team, the Rochester Americans, registering one assist across nine games.

As a free agent, Strand signed a one-year contract with the independent AHL club Chicago Wolves on July 18, 2023. After accumulating four points in ten appearances, he was traded to the Rockford IceHogs—affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks—in exchange for Zach Jordan on December 11, 2023.

Strand extended his contract with Rockford for the 2024–25 season on July 17, 2024. After participating in 21 games and contributing four points from defense, he was traded to the Utica Comets, New Jersey Devils’ affiliate, on January 6, 2025.

Career statistics

2017–18 WHL season2018–19 ECHL season2019–20 AHL season2020–21 NHL season2020–21 AHL season2021–22 AHL season2021–22 NHL season2022–23 AHL season2022–23 NHL season 2022–23 2023–24 AHL season 2023–24 2024–25 AHL season 2024–25
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 CNHA Blazers HCBAA 27 3 10 13 34 3 0 0 0 6
2011–12 Calgary Northstar Sabres AMBHL 33 5 15 20 78 — — — — —
2012–13 Calgary Northstars AMHL 32 1 7 8 34 2 0 0 0 8
2013–14 Calgary Northstars AMHL 35 6 8 14 56 — — — — —
2014–15 Red Deer Rebels WHL 54 4 9 13 44 — — — — —
2015–16 Red Deer Rebels WHL 71 2 11 13 49 17 2 1 3 13
2016–17 Red Deer Rebels WHL 38 1 14 15 12 — — — —
2016–17 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 36 8 9 17 62 20 4 10 14 34
Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 69 25 39 64 75 5 1 2 3 10
2018–19 AHL season Ontario Reign AHL 43 7 11 18 30 — — — — —
Manchester Monarchs (ECHL) ECHL 9 1 2 3 9 — — — —
Ontario Reign AHL 41 8 7 15 30
Los Angeles Kings NHL 13 0 1 1 8
Ontario Reign AHL 19 1 4 5 6
Ontario Reign AHL 32 3 4 7 30
Los Angeles Kings NHL 8 0 2 2 0
San Diego Gulls AHL 46 2 6 8 33
Anaheim Ducks NHL 5 0 0 0 2
Rochester Americans AHL 9 0 1 1 15 2 0 0 0 0
Chicago Wolves AHL 10 1 3 4 14
Rockford IceHogs AHL 38 5 5 10 34 4 0 1 1 4
Rockford IceHogs AHL 21 1 3 4 6
Utica Comets AHL 39 2 12 14 40
NHL totals!

26! 0! 3! 3! 10! —

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External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Dub
  2. ↑ Cruickshank, Scott (August 10, 2021). "Childhood Pals Thrilled To Have Hockey Paths Cross With NHL's Kings". Calgary Booster Club. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. ↑ . Red Deer Advocate. October 28, 2014. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Freisen
  5. ↑ . Red Deer Express. November 23, 2016. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ . Sportsnet. April 27, 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  7. ↑ . Seattle Thunderbirds. December 30, 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  8. ↑ . Seattle Times. May 4, 2017. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ . National Hockey League. September 14, 2017. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  10. ↑ . National Hockey League. November 27, 2017. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. ↑ . Seattle Thunderbirds. April 6, 2018. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)

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