Ronnie Attard

Ronald Attard (born March 20, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 72nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Early life Attard was born on March 20, 1999, in White Lake Township, Michigan, USA to parents Toms and Sue. He grew up alongside two older sisters; Jessica and Julia.

Playing career

Amateur Growing up in Michigan, Attard played minor ice hockey for the Honeybaked and Victory Honda before being drafted by the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

Through the offseason prior to the 2018–19 season, Attard split his training between working out at Western Michigan with former NHL head coach Andy Murray and the Broncos. His offseason coaching caused Attard to endure a breakout season and win both the USHL Player and Defenseman of the Year. During the 2018–19 season, he set a league single-season record for most goals and points by a defenseman with 30 goals and 65 points. On the way to 30 goals, he also recorded a four-goal game, becoming the first USHL defenseman in more than three years to achieve this feat. As a result of his play as team captain, he won both the 2019 Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award and USHL Defenseman of the Year award.

Leading up to the 2019 NHL entry draft, Attard was ranked 76th amongst all North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He was eventually drafted in the third round, 72nd overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers. The following year, Attard continued his offensive output and was selected for the AHCA First-Team All-American team and nominated for the Hobey Baker Award.

Professional Following the completion of his junior season with Western Michigan, Attard concluded his collegiate career in agreeing to immediately join the Philadelphia Flyers for the remainder of the 2021–21 season on a two-year, entry-level contract on March 29, 2022. Four days later, Attard made his NHL debut in the Flyers' 6–3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was subbed in for Keith Yandle, whose iron man streak ended after a record 989 games. On April 5, Attard recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a goal by James van Riemsdyk in the Flyers' 4–2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

As restricted free agent following the conclusion of his entry-level contract, Attard was re-signed to a two-year, two-way $1.7 million contract extension on July 5, 2023.

During his final year under contract in the 2024–25 season, on November 4, 2024, Attard was traded by the Flyers to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Ben Gleason. Continuing in the AHL, Attard was assigned to join affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, for the remainder of the season. In 59 games with Bakersfield, he recorded 7 goals and 17 points, finishing third in offensive categories among team defensemen.

As a free agent from the Oilers, Attard was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2025.

On July 13, 2026, Attard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

International play Attard was named captain of Team USA at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge, where he helped lead the team to a gold medal win over Russia.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2016–17 Tri-City Storm USHL 46 3 2 5 27 — — — — — 2017–18 Tri-City Storm USHL 50 8 7 15 126 2 0 0 0 6 2018–19 Tri-City Storm USHL 48 30 34 64 66 6 0 1 1 8 2019–20 Western Michigan U. NCHC 30 6 8 14 29 — — — — — 2020–21 Western Michigan U. NCHC 25 8 14 22 8 — — — — — 2021–22 Western Michigan U. NCHC 39 13 23 36 24 — — — — — 2021–22 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 15 2 2 4 8 — — — — — 2022–23 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 68 12 20 32 41 3 0 1 1 4 2022–23 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 48 10 17 27 37 6 1 1 2 10 2023–24 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 12 0 2 2 6 — — — — — 2024–25 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 7 0 0 0 19 — — — — — 2024–25 Bakersfield Condors AHL 59 7 10 17 61 — — — — — 2025–26 Colorado Eagles AHL 44 3 14 17 38 4 2 0 2 2 NHL totals 29 2 4 6 14 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2023 United States WC 4th 4 1 0 1 2 Senior totals 4 1 0 1 2

Awards and honors Award Year Ref College All-NCHC First Team 2020–21, 2021–22 AHCA West First Team All-American 2020–21, 2021–22