Zach Aston-Reese

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.[1] 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.[2]

On March 14, 2017, Aston-Reese, as an undrafted player, signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[3] 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.[4] He recorded his first two NHL goals in a 6–3 win over the Ottawa Senators on February 13.[5] On February 27, Aston-Reese suffered an upper-body injury during practice.[6] He returned to the Penguins' lineup on March 27 after missing 13 games.[7] Aston-Reese made his postseason debut on April 11, 2018, against the Philadelphia Flyers.[8] On April 18, he recorded his first career playoff point, assisting on a goal by Riley Sheahan.[9] 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.[10] Wilson was suspended three playoff games for the hit.[11]

Prior to the beginning of the 2018–19 season, Aston-Reese was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.[12] However, he was called to the NHL on November 6, after he recorded six goals in 11 games.[13] 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.[14]

On July 22, 2019, the Penguins re-signed Aston-Reese to a two-year, $2 million contract extension.[15]

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.[16] On August 5, 2021, the Penguins re-signed Aston-Reese to a one-year, $1.725 million contract, avoiding the arbitration hearing.[17]

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.[18]

Ahead of the 2022–23 NHL season, Aston-Reese joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for a professional tryout (PTO).[19] 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.[20] He got his first goal as a Maple Leaf in their 5–2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 2.[21] 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.[22]

An unrestricted free agent in the offseason, Aston-Reese signed a PTO with the Carolina Hurricanes on September 14, 2023.[23] However, on October 6, Aston-Reese was one of six players released from their PTOs by the Hurricanes.[24] Two days later, on October 8, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings.[22] He opened the 2023–24 season with AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before he was recalled to the Red Wings on October 14, 2023.[25]