Brian Strait

Brian Strait
Brian Strait
Born	January 4, 1988 (age 38); United States
Occupation	Ice hockey defenseman
Years active	2010–2018
Known for	Playing in the NHL for Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets, and New Jersey Devils organizations

Brian James Strait (born January 4, 1988) is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman and unrestricted free agent. His most recent team was the Binghamton Devils in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he played under contract with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Strait’s NHL career also included stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, and Winnipeg Jets.

Amateur

Strait took part in the 2002 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament representing the Middlesex Islanders minor hockey squad.

He spent two seasons competing at Northfield Mount Hermon School, tallying 12 points during his freshman year and increasing to 20 points as a sophomore. In 2004, he joined the U.S. National Development Team competing in the North American Hockey League and captained the U.S. squad that secured gold at the 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Following his graduation from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in 2006, Strait enrolled at Boston University and became a member of the Boston Terriers men’s ice hockey program. During his freshman year, he received two Hockey East rookie of the week accolades. He served as captain for the U.S. team at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where they placed fourth overall, and was named runner-up for Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenseman award that season. In his junior year, Strait acted as an alternate captain while guiding the Terriers to triumphs in the Beanpot tournament, Hockey East championship, and ultimately capturing the 2009 NCAA Division I national title.

Professional

Upon completing his junior year at Boston University, Strait inked a three-year entry-level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had selected him in the 2006 NHL Draft. He commenced his professional journey with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Strait debuted in the NHL on February 21, 2011, facing off against the Washington Capitals. Prior to the lockout-shortened 2012–13 campaign, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Islanders on January 18, 2013. After solidifying his role on the Islanders’ blue line over six games, he secured a three-year one-way contract extension valued at $775,000 per year on January 31, 2013. He netted his first NHL goal on December 20, 2013, against goaltender Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.

On July 1, 2016, Strait signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Winnipeg Jets. During the 2016–17 season, he appeared in five games and contributed two assists.

After his contract with Winnipeg concluded, Strait returned to the Metropolitan Division by signing a one-year two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils on July 1, 2017. Throughout the 2017–18 campaign, he acted as Alternate Captain for New Jersey’s AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, providing veteran leadership across 61 games while accumulating eight points. On May 8, 2018, Strait avoided entering free agency by agreeing to a two-year two-way contract extension with New Jersey.

Regular Season and Playoffs

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002–03	Northfield Mount Hermon School	HS Prep	30	1	8	9		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Northfield Mount Hermon School	HS Prep	30	5	15	20		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	US NTDP U17	USDP	18	1	5	6	8	—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	US NTDP U18	USDP	7	0	3	3	2	—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	US NTDP Juniors	NAHL	42	4	8	12	42	10	0	2	2	2
2005–06	US NTDP U18	USDP	40	2	7	9	31
2006–07	Boston University	HE	36	3	3	6	47
2007–08	Boston University	HE	37	0	10	10	20
2008–09	Boston University	HE	38	2	5	7	67

International

Year	Team	Event	Outcome	GP	PIM
2005	United States	U17	5th place	5	2
2006	United States	WJC18	Gold	6	4
2008	United States	WJC	Fourth place	6	6
Junior totals				17	12