Austin Wagner Bio
Austin Wagner is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger born on June 23, 1997, in Calgary, Alberta. He plays with the Shanghai Dragons of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and previously played with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL). Drafted 99th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2015 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, Wagner has built a dynamic career since turning professional in 2017, earning recognition for his speed, quickness, and playmaking ability.
Over the course of his career, Wagner has skated in the NHL, AHL, Western Hockey League (WHL), Swedish Hockey League (SHL), and KHL, demonstrating versatility across leagues and continents. He is also a recipient of the Los Angeles Kings Jim Fox Community Service Award, reflecting his contributions off the ice.
Early Life and Background
Austin Wagner was born on June 23, 1997, in Calgary, Alberta, to parents Kevin and Linda. He grew up alongside an older brother, Tyler, in a household that supported his early athletic development. Wagner began playing hockey at the age of three, and like many Canadian youth athletes, he competed in multiple sports during his formative years.
Before fully committing to hockey, Wagner played lacrosse with the Calgary Axemen of the Alberta Lacrosse Association. He began his organized hockey career with the Blackfoot Minor Hockey Association before joining the Calgary Northstars. While playing for the Calgary Northstars Bantam AA Blazers during the 2010–11 season, his playmaking ability and skill earned him a promotion to Midget AAA. During his AAA years, Wagner represented Team Calgary North at the 2012 Alberta Cup and Team Alberta at the 2012 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, gaining valuable experience against top-tier competition.
Path to Professional Hockey
Wagner’s trajectory toward professional hockey gained momentum when he was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft by the Regina Pats at the age of 16. After attending the Pats training camp, he agreed to a contract with the team and began his major junior career. He scored his first WHL goal in the first period of a 4–3 shootout loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers on December 15, 2013.
Following a modest rookie season in which he recorded two points in 42 games, the Pats hired a new head coach, John Paddock, a change Wagner credited with elevating his production. His sophomore year became his breakout, as he scored 39 points in 61 games. Leading up to the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Wagner was ranked 35th overall among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and third in Anaerobic Fitness: Peak Power Output. He was ultimately drafted 99th overall by the Los Angeles Kings. Wagner attended Kings training camps in both 2015 and 2016 but was returned to Regina each time, where he continued to set new career highs, including 62 points in 70 games during 2015–16 and a strong 2016–17 campaign that saw the Pats reach the WHL Championship round for the first time since 1984.
Austin Wagner Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
On March 6, 2017, Wagner signed an entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He required shoulder surgery during the off-season to repair a torn labrum and dislocated bicep tendon, and after being medically cleared, he was assigned to the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Wagner scored his first professional goal on December 9, 2017, in a 4–2 loss to the Texas Stars.
Wagner earned praise at the Kings’ 2018 training camp from Coach John Stevens, who described him as an explosive athlete with extreme quickness and speed. He made the Kings’ opening night roster for the 2018–19 season and debuted in the NHL on October 5, 2018, in a 3–2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. After seven games, Wagner was reassigned to Ontario Reign alongside Sean Walker. Following a rash of Kings injuries, he scored his first career NHL goal on November 21, 2018, in a 7–3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Despite missing four games with a lower-body injury, Wagner recorded 10 goals and seven assists within his first 50 NHL games and finished the year with the team’s Jim Fox Community Service Award.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2018–2023)
After his initial NHL season, Wagner continued to develop within the Kings organization, splitting time between Los Angeles and Ontario Reign. On September 1, 2020, as a restricted free agent, he was signed by the Kings to a three-year, $3.4 million contract extension, signaling the club’s confidence in his long-term potential. Wagner worked alongside mentors such as Nate Thompson and linemates Trevor Lewis and Kyle Clifford during his NHL tenure.
In his sixth year within the organization, Wagner spent the 2022–23 season primarily with Ontario Reign, notching nine goals and 12 points through 24 games before being dealt by the Kings to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations on March 3, 2023. He returned to the NHL with the Blackhawks, registering a goal and an assist through seven regular season games to close out the campaign.
IK Oskarshamn Era (2023–2024)
As a free agent from the Blackhawks, Wagner was initially signed to a professional tryout deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on August 30, 2023. However, he instead joined IK Oskarshamn of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2023–24 season, taking his career overseas to Sweden.
Wagner’s stint in Sweden broadened his professional experience in a new league and country, allowing him to adapt his game to European ice. He completed his contract with Oskarshamn at season’s end before returning to North America.
Chicago Wolves Era (2024–2025)
Leaving Sweden after his contract concluded, Wagner returned to North America and was named to the training camp roster of the Chicago Wolves of the AHL for the 2024–25 season. He re-established himself in the AHL, continuing his development as a veteran presence on the roster.
Wagner’s time with the Wolves helped him maintain his professional form ahead of his next opportunity, ultimately leading to his move to Asia.
Shanghai Dragons Era (2025–Present)
On September 30, 2025, Wagner signed with the Shanghai Dragons of the Kontinental Hockey League, joining one of the most prominent professional leagues outside North America. The signing marked a new chapter in his career as he transitioned to competing in the KHL.
Wagner’s move to the Dragons reflects his willingness to embrace new challenges and continue his professional journey on an international stage. He brought his trademark speed and work ethic to a Dragons roster seeking scoring depth on the wing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wagner is widely recognized for his explosive speed, quickness, and strong playmaking ability. Coaches and teammates have consistently highlighted his anaerobic fitness and capacity to generate offensive opportunities through his skating. His ability to play a physical, fast-paced style has allowed him to contribute in all three zones, while his comfort in a depth-scoring role has made him a reliable middle-six forward throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Wagner’s most memorable moments are his first NHL goal against the Colorado Avalanche on November 21, 2018, and his role in helping the Regina Pats reach the WHL Championship Finals in 2017, the franchise’s first appearance since 1984. He also received the Los Angeles Kings Jim Fox Community Service Award at the end of his rookie NHL season, underscoring his impact off the ice. In April 2020, Wagner joined Adrian Kempe, Ben Hutton, and Blake Lizotte in a FaZe eSports charity event to raise money for organizations affected by COVID-19.
Austin Wagner Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Austin Wagner was raised in Calgary, Alberta, by his parents, Kevin and Linda, alongside his older brother, Tyler. His family provided a supportive environment for his athletic development, allowing him to pursue multiple sports, including lacrosse and hockey, from a young age.
Wagner’s upbringing in Calgary, a Canadian hockey hotbed, helped shape his early commitment to the sport and laid the foundation for his progression through minor hockey and into the WHL.
Personal Life
Wagner has remained connected to charitable initiatives throughout his career, notably participating in a FaZe eSports charity gaming event in April 2020 alongside several Kings teammates to support organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career, currently competing in the KHL with the Shanghai Dragons.
2025 Season Performance
Wagner’s 2025 calendar year began with a stint at the Chicago Wolves training camp for the 2024–25 AHL season, providing him a familiar North American platform to stay sharp. On September 30, 2025, he signed with the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL, signaling a fresh chapter overseas.
The transition to the KHL offers Wagner the opportunity to compete at a high level internationally while bringing his speed and playmaking to a new league. His early tenure with the Dragons is expected to focus on integrating into the team’s system and contributing offensively on the wing.
With a contract in place and a new team environment, Wagner’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond centers on establishing himself as a consistent contributor for the Dragons while continuing the global phase of his professional career.