Austin Strand Bio
Austin Strand is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on February 17, 1997, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has spent his career moving between the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL), developing into a dependable two-way defenceman. He has previously appeared in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, while also representing several AHL and ECHL affiliates throughout North America.
Standing 191 centimetres tall and weighing 98 kilograms, Strand uses his size and skating ability to log steady minutes on the back end. His professional journey, which began in 2018, has carried him through organizations in California, New York, Illinois, and now New Jersey, where he continues to compete at the highest minor-pro level.
Early Life and Background
Austin Strand was born on February 17, 1997, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to parents Wade and Leanne. He grew up alongside an older brother, Coleton, and a sister, Krysten, in a household that encouraged athletic activity. Calgary’s strong minor hockey tradition gave Strand an early platform to develop his game and learn the responsibilities of the defenceman position.
During his formative years, Strand played alongside future NHL forward Austin Wagner on the Calgary Bantam AA Blazers for the 2010–11 season. The pair were later promoted to the Bantam AAA Northstar Sabres and then to the Midget AAA Calgary Northstars. These competitive programs demanded structure and discipline, helping Strand shape the work habits that would later define his professional approach.
Path to Hockey
Following his time with the Calgary Northstars, Strand was selected in the third round, 48th overall, by the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Before transitioning to the major junior ranks, he was reassigned to the AAA team for one final season to continue building his strength and conditioning. He made his WHL debut in 2014, recording his first career goal in a 6–5 overtime loss to the Victoria Royals on October 14, 2014.
Strand credited his off-season training, both physical and mental, for earning a regular spot in the Rebels’ lineup. By March 2015, he had recorded four goals and 13 points through 54 games, drawing attention from NHL scouts ahead of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Although he carried a 66th mid-term ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, his final ranking slipped to 101, and he went undrafted in his first year of eligibility.
After remaining undrafted, Strand returned to the Rebels for the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, serving in a shutdown role while still contributing offensively. His play helped Red Deer reach the 2016 Memorial Cup. In December 2016, he was traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he assumed a leadership role and helped guide the team to the Ed Chynoweth Cup and the 2017 Memorial Cup. Shortly after, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on November 28, 2017.
Austin Strand Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After completing his final major junior season, in which he recorded 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points through 69 games, Strand was assigned to the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. He joined the Reign to complete the 2017–18 season but did not appear in any games. When he returned for the 2018–19 season, he was loaned to the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs before the campaign began.
Strand tallied two points in six games with the Monarchs and was recalled to the Reign on November 2. He made his AHL debut on November 25, picking up an assist in a 7–6 overtime win over the Tucson Roadrunners. He alternated between the Reign and the Monarchs during the first half of his rookie year before settling into a regular role with the Reign in the second half.
NHL Debut with the Los Angeles Kings (2020–2022)
Near the start of the 2020–21 season, Strand was re-signed by the Kings to a one-year contract and was named to the team’s taxi squad as part of their opening night roster. He made his NHL debut on February 5, 2021, in the Kings’ 5–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. A few games later, he was fined $3,168.10 for spearing Arizona Coyotes forward Conor Garland during a contest.
Following his fourth season within the Kings organization, Strand departed as a free agent. He had spent the early portion of his career working to translate his AHL reliability into a steady NHL role, gaining valuable experience on the Los Angeles blueline.
Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres (2022–2023)
Strand signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 14, 2022. He made five scoreless appearances with the Ducks early in the 2022–23 season while playing mostly with their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. On March 3, 2023, Anaheim traded Strand to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenceman Chase Priskie.
He played out the remainder of the season with the Sabres’ affiliate, the Rochester Americans, recording one assist through nine regular season games. The brief AHL stint provided another chance to demonstrate his steady defensive play.
Chicago Wolves and Rockford IceHogs (2023–2025)
As a free agent, Strand signed a one-year contract with the lone AHL independent club, the Chicago Wolves, on July 18, 2023. He began the 2023–24 season on the Wolves’ blueline, registering four points through 10 games. On December 11, 2023, the Wolves traded him to the Rockford IceHogs, the affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, in exchange for Zach Jordan.
Strand adapted quickly to the IceHogs, logging regular minutes on the back end. On July 17, 2024, he was re-signed to a one-year contract extension for the 2024–25 season. He made 21 appearances with the IceHogs, registering four points from the blueline, before being traded to the Utica Comets, the affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, on January 6, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Strand is recognized for his size, mobility, and willingness to play a defensive-first game. He pairs strong gap control with reliable puck movement out of his own zone, allowing him to support transitions while remaining responsible in his own end. His steady positioning and penalty-killing reliability have made him a trusted option for coaches seeking a dependable presence on the back end.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Strand’s career are his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings on February 5, 2021, and his contributions to the Seattle Thunderbirds’ run to the 2017 Memorial Cup. He also represented Red Deer at the 2016 Memorial Cup earlier in his junior career, marking back-to-back national championship appearances in the Canadian Hockey League.
Austin Strand Career Wins
Austin Strand’s career has been defined more by steady contributions than by championship victories. His most notable team success came during the 2016–17 season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he helped capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions and advanced to the 2017 Memorial Cup.
Junior and Professional Highlights
Strand helped the Red Deer Rebels reach the 2016 Memorial Cup before being traded to the Thunderbirds later that season. With Seattle, he played a leadership role in the team’s WHL championship run and second consecutive Memorial Cup appearance. At the professional level, his accomplishments have centered on consistent AHL play rather than major titles.
Other Performances
Beyond his junior achievements, Strand’s professional path has included steady contributions with affiliates of the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, and New Jersey Devils. His ability to adapt across organizations underscores his reputation as a reliable depth defenceman.
Austin Strand Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Austin Strand was raised in Calgary by his parents, Wade and Leanne, alongside his older brother Coleton and sister Krysten. The Calgary area’s deep hockey roots played a significant role in his development, and his early minor hockey teammates included future NHL forward Austin Wagner, with whom he progressed through the Bantam and Midget AAA ranks.
Personal Life
Strand continues to focus on his professional hockey career and keeps his personal life largely private. Information about his spouse, children, or current residence is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
After being traded to the Utica Comets on January 6, 2025, Strand transitioned to the New Jersey Devils’ AHL affiliate midway through the 2024–25 campaign. He joined a Comets team focused on developing prospects for the Devils organization, providing veteran stability on the blueline. His prior experience with the Rockford IceHogs made him an immediate fit in Utica’s defensive structure.
Strand’s role with the Comets centers on reliable defensive play, penalty killing, and steady puck distribution. Coaches have relied on his size and positional discipline to anchor pairing combinations during the second half of the season.
Looking ahead, Strand’s performance in Utica could position him for another NHL opportunity if injuries or roster needs arise within the Devils system. His continued professional progression reflects the perseverance that has defined his journey through multiple organizations since 2018.