Chris Kreider is an American professional ice hockey left wing who plays for the Anaheim Ducks. Born April 30, 1991, in Boxford, Massachusetts, he became one of the most accomplished goal scorers in New York Rangers history before joining Anaheim in 2025.
Chris Kreider Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Chris Kreider |
| Born | April 30, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Boxford, Massachusetts |
| Age | 35 |
| Position | Left wing |
| Shoots | Left |
| Height | 6-foot-3 |
| Weight | 232 pounds |
| NHL draft | 19th overall, 2009 |
| Drafted by | New York Rangers |
| Current team | Anaheim Ducks |
| Jersey | No. 20 |
| NHL career | 2012–present |
| 2025-26 regular season | 75 GP, 22 G, 28 A, 50 P |
| Contract status | Under contract through 2026-27 |
Kreider’s official Ducks record lists him at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds and confirms his April 30, 1991 birth date and Boxford, Massachusetts, birthplace.
Who Is Chris Kreider?
Chris Kreider is a veteran NHL forward best known for his long tenure with the New York Rangers and his ability to score in high-pressure situations. He was selected by the Rangers with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft after starring at Phillips Andover Academy in Massachusetts.
Rather than entering the NHL immediately, Kreider developed at Boston College. He played three seasons for the Eagles and was part of the 2010 and 2012 national championship teams. In his junior season, he produced 23 goals and 22 assists in 44 games as Boston College won another NCAA title. He left school early in April 2012 to begin his professional career with the Rangers organization.
That decision quickly paid off. Kreider joined New York during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs and made an immediate impression despite having no prior NHL regular-season experience.
Chris Kreider’s NHL Career
Kreider spent 13 full seasons with the Rangers before being traded to Anaheim in June 2025. During that period, he became one of the most recognizable players of the modern Rangers era and accumulated 883 regular-season games, 326 goals and 582 points for New York.
His 2023-24 season was particularly important to his place in franchise history. Kreider scored 39 goals and added 36 assists for 75 points, reached 300 career NHL goals and moved further up several Rangers scoring lists. He also recorded his 500th career point and became the third player in franchise history to reach 300 goals, joining Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle.
Kreider’s impact was not limited to regular-season scoring. He became the Rangers’ all-time leader in playoff goals, and the club identified him as its franchise leader in playoff power-play goals and game-winning goals during the 2024 postseason.
Why Chris Kreider Is Known as a Big-Game Scorer
Kreider has built much of his reputation around his performance around the net and on special teams.
His size and skating allow him to create traffic in front of the goal, while his timing makes him especially dangerous on the power play. Anaheim’s management specifically cited his size, speed and ability to elevate his play in important moments when announcing the 2025 trade.
The numbers support that reputation. The Ducks noted that Kreider became the only NHL player since 2012-13 to record at least 300 goals, 100 power-play goals, 50 game-winning goals and 10 shorthanded goals during that span.
He also developed into an unusual short-handed scoring threat. The Rangers noted in 2024 that Kreider’s 10 shorthanded goals since the beginning of the 2021-22 season led the NHL at that point.
Chris Kreider’s Move From the Rangers to the Ducks
On June 12, 2025, the Rangers traded Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks.
In the deal, Anaheim acquired Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick, while New York received forward prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round selection.
The move ended an unusually long chapter in New York. Kreider had been the Rangers’ longest-tenured player and had joined the club during the 2012 playoff run. New York credited him with contributing to some of the most important moments in the franchise’s recent history and recognized him as the first recipient of the Rod Gilbert “Mr. Ranger” Award.
For Anaheim, the acquisition was designed to add experience and scoring to a young group. The Ducks entered the 2025-26 season with a roster that included numerous young players, making a veteran forward with Kreider’s playoff experience a logical addition.
Chris Kreider’s 2025-26 Stats With Anaheim
Kreider’s first season in Anaheim produced 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points in 75 regular-season games. He averaged 17:03 of ice time per game and scored eight power-play goals.
His 50-point season was below the 75 points he recorded in 2023-24 with New York, but it still represented a productive campaign for a 34-year-old veteran adapting to a new team.
Kreider also appeared in 12 playoff games for Anaheim during the 2025-26 postseason, recording two goals and five assists for seven points.
Chris Kreider’s Career NHL Numbers
Through the 2025-26 regular season, Kreider had played 958 NHL games and recorded:
- 348 goals
- 284 assists
- 632 points
- 958 games played
Those totals include his 883 games as a Ranger and his first 75 regular-season games with Anaheim.
His best regular-season scoring year by points came in 2021-22, when he scored 52 goals and finished with 77 points in 81 games. His 52 goals were a career high and remain one of the strongest offensive seasons of his career.
Kreider followed that with 36 goals in 2022-23 and 39 goals in 2023-24, showing that his game remained heavily driven by goal scoring even as his overall role evolved.
Chris Kreider’s Contract
Kreider is entering the final season of a seven-year contract carrying a $6.5 million annual average value. The agreement runs through the 2026-27 season, after which he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
That makes the 2026-27 season significant for both Kreider and Anaheim. At 35, he is entering the final year of the deal and will have an opportunity to determine his next step based on his performance, health and the Ducks’ plans.
The Ducks’ 2026-27 schedule begins October 2, 2026, against the Vegas Golden Knights, with Anaheim’s home opener against the Florida Panthers scheduled for October 4.
Is Chris Kreider Still in the NHL?
Yes. As of September 2026, Chris Kreider remains an active NHL player under contract with the Anaheim Ducks for the 2026-27 season. Anaheim’s current records list him on the roster, and his contract is set to expire after that season.
His situation is therefore different from many veteran players who have already retired. Kreider remains an NHL contributor and is preparing for another season, although his contract status will make his future a natural point of interest during and after the 2026-27 campaign.
Chris Kreider’s Legacy With the New York Rangers
Although Kreider is now an Anaheim Duck, his Rangers legacy remains the defining part of his career.
He finished his New York tenure with 326 goals and 582 points in 883 regular-season games. He also established himself as the franchise’s all-time playoff goal scorer.
His importance to the organization went beyond scoring totals. He was part of the Rangers’ run to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final and later became a veteran leader during another generation of playoff teams. In 2024, the Rangers highlighted several milestones that placed him among the most productive goal scorers in franchise history.
That combination of longevity, postseason production and franchise records explains why his 2025 trade was such a significant moment for New York.
What Makes Chris Kreider’s Career Notable?
Kreider’s career stands out for the unusual combination of longevity and playoff production. He was drafted in 2009, reached the NHL in 2012, spent more than a decade with one franchise and then continued his career with Anaheim rather than leaving the league after his Rangers tenure ended.
He has also maintained a specialized offensive identity. Instead of relying primarily on playmaking, Kreider has consistently generated goals through net-front positioning, transition speed, power-play opportunities and quick-strike scoring chances.
With 348 regular-season goals entering the 2026-27 season, he is already firmly established as one of the more productive American-born NHL forwards of his generation.
What Is Next for Chris Kreider?
The 2026-27 season is a pivotal point in Kreider’s career. He is under contract with Anaheim for one more year, and his deal expires in 2027.
The immediate question is how much offense he can provide as he moves deeper into his 30s. His 50 points in 75 games during 2025-26 suggest he remains capable of making a meaningful contribution, while his power-play and playoff experience give Anaheim another veteran weapon alongside its younger core.
For now, the answer is straightforward: Chris Kreider is still playing, still scoring, and still adding to a career that has already left a substantial mark on Rangers history.
FAQs
How old is Chris Kreider?
Chris Kreider is 35 years old as of September 2026. He was born April 30, 1991, in Boxford, Massachusetts.
What team does Chris Kreider play for?
Chris Kreider plays for the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks acquired him from the New York Rangers in June 2025.
What position does Chris Kreider play?
Kreider is a left wing and shoots left-handed. He wears No. 20 for Anaheim.
How many career goals does Chris Kreider have?
Through the 2025-26 regular season, Kreider had 348 NHL goals in 958 games.
How many goals did Chris Kreider score in 2025-26?
Kreider scored 22 goals and added 28 assists for 50 points in 75 regular-season games with Anaheim during 2025-26.
Is Chris Kreider still under contract?
Yes. Kreider is under contract through the 2026-27 NHL season on a deal with a $6.5 million annual average value. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Source list
- NHL.com: Kreider traded to Ducks by Rangers for prospect Terrance, 3rd-round pick, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- Anaheim Ducks: Ducks Acquire Kreider, 2025 Fourth-Round Pick from Rangers, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- New York Rangers: Rangers Acquire Carey Terrance and a Third-Round Pick in Exchange for Chris Kreider and a Fourth-Round Pick, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- NHL.com: Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Devils | April 3, 2024, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- NHL.com: Pregame Notes: Game Four at Capitals, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- Boston College Athletics: Kreider, Dumoulin Forgo Senior Season To Pursue Pro Careers, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- Boston College Athletics: Hockey’s Chris Kreider Selected By The New York Rangers With 19th Pick Of 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- NHL.com: NHL Free Agent Tracker, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- Hockey-Reference: Chris Kreider Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Title, Access Date: September 9, 2026
- PuckPedia: Chris Kreider Contract, Cap Hit, Salary and Stats, Access Date: September 9, 2026
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