Vinnie Hinostroza

Playing career Hinostroza played for the Chicago Mission AAA Youth Hockey Club (where his future NHL teammates Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz also played). While playing for the Mission's U16 midget team, he played in 34 games where he scored 13 goals, had 21 assists and 38 penalty minutes. He attended USA Hockey's Central District U16 camp and was selected by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the first round (4th overall) in the 2010 USHL Futures Draft. Hinostroza would later commit to playing college hockey at the University of Notre Dame.

Hinostroza attended the University of Notre Dame where he skated two seasons with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In his freshman season, he was named to the 2013–14 Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and the following year, he was named to the 2014–15 Hockey East First All-Star Team. On March 21, 2015, Hinostroza signalled the end of his collegiate career after his junior season in signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

He was assigned to the Blackhawks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs to begin his professional rookie 2015–16 season. On October 16, 2015, he was recalled by the Blackhawks and on October 17, 2015, Hinostroza made his NHL debut, playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He recorded two penalty minutes and two shots on goal as Chicago won 4–1. Hinostroza scored his first career NHL goal against Jacob Markström of the Vancouver Canucks on November 19, 2016. He also recorded two assists in the same game which helped the Blackhawks rally from a 3–0 deficit and win in overtime.

On July 12, 2018, Hinostroza was traded to the Arizona Coyotes along with Marián Hossa, Jordan Oesterle and a 2019 third-round pick, in exchange for Andrew Campbell, prospect MacKenzie Entwistle, Marcus Krüger, Jordan Maletta and a 2019 fifth-round draft pick. This trade cleared up $8.5 million cap space for the Blackhawks.

On October 8, 2020, as an impending restricted free agent, Hinostroza was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Coyotes, releasing him to free agency. On October 9, at the opening of the free agent Market, Hinostroza was signed to a one-year, $1 million contract with Florida Panthers.

On April 2, 2021, Hinostroza was traded back to the Blackhawks in exchange for Brad Morrison. After failing to record any points in nine games for Florida, Hinostroza tallied four goals and eight assists in 14 games with Chicago.

On July 28, 2021, Hinostroza signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres. He skated in 62 games for the Sabres during the 2021–22 season, recording 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points. Hinostroza split the 2022–23 season between the Sabres and their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

On July 7, 2023, Hinostroza signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the 2023–24 season, Hinostroza primarily played with AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, however was recalled on multiple occasions featuring in 14 appearances with Pittsburgh and collecting 1 goal and 3 points.

Leaving the Penguins at the conclusion of his contract, Hinostroza was signed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2024. Assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL to begin the 2024–25 season, Hinostroza led the league in scoring with 11 goals and 33 points before he was recalled by the Predators and made his debut with the club against the Winnipeg Jets on December 30, 2024. Hinostroza registered 2 assists through 13 appearances with the Predators before he was placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Minnesota Wild on February 5, 2025.

During the season, as a depth forward for the Wild, Hinostroza was unable to replicate his initial impact posting just 3 goals and 10 points through 48 appearances. On March 6, 2026, in a roster clearing move, Hinostroza was traded by the Wild to the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations. With the Panthers largely out of playoff contention, Hinostroza played out the remainder of his contract in a second stint with Florida, posting 8 points through 17 appearances.

As a free agent from the Panthers, Hinostroza continued his journeyman career in agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2026.

Personal life Hinostroza is the son of Rick and Laura Hinostroza and he grew up in Illinois with his older sister Carli. His paternal grandparents were from Ecuador. Hockey East First Team All-Star 2014–15