Zach Aston-Reese

Zachary Aston-Reese (born August 10, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Prior to turning professional, Aston-Reese played for Northeastern University. He was named a Hobey Baker hat trick finalist, Hockey East First-Team All-Star, and won Hockey East Player of the Year.

Playing career Amateur While playing for the New Jersey Rockets of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) during the 2010–11 season, Aston-Reese also appeared in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He played two games for the Des Moines Buccaneers, as well as 25 games for the Lincoln Stars. Aston-Reese joined the Stars full-time for the 2011–12 season. In 53 games, he recorded 5 goals and 10 assists. After one more season with the Stars, Aston-Reese joined the Division 1 Northeastern Huskies. He played for the club for four seasons. During the 2015–16 season, the Huskies won the Hockey East Tournament championship. The following season, Aston-Reese was named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team, NCAA Division I First All-American Team, and the Hockey East Player of the Year.

Professional Pittsburgh Penguins

On March 14, 2017, Aston-Reese, as an undrafted player, signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joined the Penguins American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the remainder of the season, recording eight points in ten games.

Aston-Reese started the 2017–18 season in the minors, but made his NHL debut on February 3, 2018, against the New Jersey Devils. He recorded his first two NHL goals in a 6–3 win over the Ottawa Senators on February 13. On February 27, Aston-Reese suffered an upper-body injury during practice. He returned to the Penguins' lineup on March 27 after missing 13 games. Aston-Reese made his postseason debut on April 11, 2018, against the Philadelphia Flyers. On April 18, he recorded his first career playoff point, assisting on a goal by Riley Sheahan. During Game 3 of Round 2 against the Washington Capitals, Aston-Reese was checked by Tom Wilson, resulting in a broken jaw and a concussion. Wilson was suspended three playoff games for the hit.

Prior to the beginning of the 2018–19 season, Aston-Reese was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. However, he was called to the NHL on November 6, after he recorded six goals in 11 games. Aston-Reese managed to score six goals and eleven points in his next 30 games, but he broke his hand in a game against the Florida Panthers on January 8, 2019.

On July 22, 2019, the Penguins re-signed Aston-Reese to a two-year, $2 million contract extension.

As a restricted free agent after the 2020–2021 season, Aston-Reese filed for salary arbitration with the Penguins. The arbitration hearing was scheduled for August 23, 2021. On August 5, 2021, the Penguins re-signed Aston-Reese to a one-year, $1.725 million contract, avoiding the arbitration hearing.

Anaheim Ducks On March 21, 2022, Aston-Reese was traded by Pittsburgh, along with Dominik Simon, prospect Calle Clang, and a second round draft choice to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Rickard Rakell.

Toronto Maple Leafs Ahead of the 2022–23 NHL season, Aston-Reese joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for a professional tryout (PTO). Following a successful pre-season showing, Aston-Reese was signed to a one-year, $840,000 contract with the Maple Leafs on October 9, 2022. He got his first goal as a Maple Leaf in their 5–2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 2. He finished the season with ten goals and 14 points in 77 games and took part in the Maple Leafs' first postseason series win since 2004.

Detroit Red Wings An unrestricted free agent in the offseason, Aston-Reese signed a professional try-out agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes on September 14, 2023. However, on October 6, Aston-Reese was one of six players released from their PTOs by the Hurricanes. Two days later, on October 8, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings. He returned to Grand Rapids on October 15 without playing a game for Detroit. He was recalled again by Detroit on December 11 on an emergency basis after a series of injuries to Red Wings forwards. He made his season debut with the Red Wings that day in a 6–3 loss to the Dallas Stars. He was sent back to Grand Rapids on December 15.

Columbus Blue Jackets On July 1, 2024, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. However, before playing a game for Vegas, Aston-Reese was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 7, 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 season.

Philadelphia Flyers On July 1, 2026, Aston-Reese signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Personal life Aston-Reese was born on August 10, 1994, in the New York City borough of Staten Island. He is the third child of William Sr. and Carolyn (née Buckheit). He has three older siblings: a sister, Kristen, and two brothers, Todd and William Jr. He attended PS 45 in West Brighton and Morris Intermediate School in Brighton Heights, New York, then enrolled at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, where he played his freshman year

Aston-Reese was a graphic design major in college and occasionally worked in the Penguins' front office on the design of gameday programs.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2009–10 New Jersey Rockets AtJHL 36 13 20 33 31 4 3 0 3 12 2010–11 New Jersey Rockets AtJHL 25 9 20 29 65 — — — — — 2010–11 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2010–11 Lincoln Stars USHL 25 2 3 5 4 1 0 0 0 5 2011–12 Lincoln Stars USHL 35 5 10 15 69 8 1 2 3 8 2012–13 Lincoln Stars USHL 60 9 21 30 113 5 2 3 5 4 2013–14 Northeastern University HE 35 8 11 19 22 — — — — — 2014–15 Northeastern University HE 31 13 10 23 60 — — — — — 2015–16 Northeastern University HE 41 14 29 43 28 — — — — — 2016–17 Northeastern University HE 38 31 32 63 72 — — — — — 2016–17 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 10 3 5 8 7 — — — — — 2017–18 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 41 9 20 29 49 — — — — — 2017–18 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 16 4 2 6 2 9 0 1 1 4 2018–19 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 11 6 3 9 18 — — — — — 2018–19 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 43 8 9 17 26 4 0 0 0 0 2019–20 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 57 6 7 13 28 4 0 1 1 2 2020–21 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 45 9 6 15 15 6 1 1 2 2 2021–22 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 52 2 9 11 22 — — — — — 2021–22 Anaheim Ducks NHL 17 3 1 4 6 — — — — — 2022–23 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 77 10 4 14 25 6 1 0 1 0 2023–24 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 61 14 16 30 53 9 1 1 2 2 2023–24 Detroit Red Wings NHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2024–25 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 79 6 11 17 27 — — — — — 2025–26 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 27 1 4 5 12 — — — — — 2025–26 Cleveland Monsters AHL 27 8 8 16 32 8 2 1 3 6 NHL totals 416 49 53 102 165 29 2 3 5 8

Awards and honors Award YearUSHL USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game 2012College HE Second All-Star Team 2016 HE All-Tournament Team 2016 HE First All-Star Team 2017 HE Player of the Year 2017 New England MVP 2017