Brendan Brisson Bio
Brendan Brisson is an American ice hockey center currently playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on October 22, 2001, he was drafted 29th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Brisson is the son of prominent NHL agent Pat Brisson, a connection that has shaped much of his exposure to professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Brendan Brisson was born in Manhattan Beach, California, and grew up in a family deeply connected to professional hockey through his father, Pat Brisson, a well-known NHL agent. This family background gave him early insight into the sport’s highest levels and the pathways leading there. He developed his skills playing youth hockey for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, a program recognized for producing high-level talent.
Brisson later attended Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, a prestigious prep school in Faribault, Minnesota, known for its strong hockey tradition. During his senior year in the 2018–19 season, he recorded 101 points in 55 games, leading the team in both points and goals scored. His performance at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s established him as one of the top young American hockey prospects of his age group.
Path to Hockey
Brisson began his junior hockey career during the 2018–19 season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), appearing in six games. The following season, he joined the Chicago Steel and became one of the league’s most productive players, recording 24 goals and 35 assists in 45 games for a total of 59 points, which ranked second in the USHL in scoring. His outstanding play earned him spots on the First Team All-USHL, the USHL All-Rookie Team, and the USHL Rookie of the Year award.
Following his success in the USHL, Brisson committed to the University of Michigan for the 2020–21 NCAA Division I season, where he recorded ten goals and 11 assists in 24 games as a freshman. In his sophomore season of 2021–22, he ranked third on the Wolverines in scoring with 35 points on 18 goals and 17 assists, averaging 1.03 points per game. He also ranked second in the nation in game-winning goals with six and scored the first goal in a game seven times, leading to his selection to the All-Big Ten Second Team.
Brendan Brisson Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Brisson’s early competitive career began in the USHL, first with the Green Bay Gamblers in 2018–19 and then with the Chicago Steel in 2019–20. His time with the Chicago Steel marked his emergence as an elite junior talent, as he finished second in the USHL scoring race with 59 points in 45 games. The combination of high goal totals and playmaking ability made him a clear candidate for the NHL Draft.
Junior and College Breakthrough (2018–2022)
At the 2018–19 prep level with Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, Brisson posted 101 points in 55 games, signaling his readiness for higher competition. His move to the Chicago Steel in the USHL produced immediate results, and his Rookie of the Year honors confirmed his status as a top-tier young player. Representing the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, he recorded two goals in seven games and won a gold medal, adding an international title to his growing résumé.
At the University of Michigan, Brisson continued to develop as a two-way forward capable of driving offense in key moments. His sophomore season showed expanded responsibilities and stronger production, ranking among the national leaders in game-winning goals. On January 13, 2022, he was named to Team USA’s roster for the 2022 Winter Olympics, a notable recognition of his development.
Henderson Silver Knights Era (2022–2024)
On April 12, 2022, Brisson signed an amateur tryout contract with the Henderson Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, for the remainder of the 2021–22 season. He recorded three goals and five assists in six AHL games, demonstrating that he was ready for the professional level. On April 30, 2022, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, formalizing his commitment to the organization.
In the following AHL season, Brisson recorded ten goals and 13 assists in 37 games with the Silver Knights, continuing his steady development as a professional prospect. His progression in Henderson positioned him for an NHL opportunity with the parent club.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2024–2025)
On January 14, 2024, the Vegas Golden Knights recalled Brisson from the Silver Knights, and he made his NHL debut the next day against the Nashville Predators. On January 20, 2024, he scored his first career NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the goal stood as the game-winner in a third-period Vegas comeback, marking a memorable first NHL milestone.
On March 6, 2025, Brisson was traded by the Golden Knights to the New York Rangers, alongside a third-round draft pick, in exchange for Reilly Smith. The trade ended his time with the Vegas organization and shifted his development path to a new franchise.
Hartford Wolf Pack Era (2025–Present)
Following the trade to the Rangers organization, Brisson was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate. The move gave him a fresh environment to continue building his professional game as a prospect in the Rangers system. His role with Hartford is centered on offensive production and two-way responsibility as he works toward an expanded role at the NHL level.
Playing Style and Strengths
Brisson is recognized as an offensively skilled center with strong instincts around the net and the ability to score key goals in important moments. His background in scoring-leading junior and college seasons highlights a knack for producing game-winning plays and first goals. As he continues to develop at the professional level, his combination of scoring touch and competitive edge remains his primary asset.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Brisson’s most notable milestones are his 101-point prep season at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, his USHL Rookie of the Year award with the Chicago Steel, and his gold medal at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships with Team USA. His first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins, scored as the game-winner in a third-period comeback, stands out as an early signature moment in his professional career.
Brendan Brisson Career Wins
Brendan Brisson has compiled an impressive collection of team and individual achievements across junior, college, international, and professional hockey. His résumé includes a USHL Rookie of the Year award, a World Junior Championship gold medal, and an NCAA selection to the All-Big Ten Second Team. At the professional level, he has continued to record goals and assists in both the AHL and NHL.
USHL and College Highlights
During the 2019–20 USHL season, Brisson finished second in league scoring with 59 points for the Chicago Steel and was named USHL Rookie of the Year. At the University of Michigan, his sophomore campaign of 2021–22 produced 35 points and a national ranking of second in game-winning goals, earning him All-Big Ten Second Team honors.
International and Professional Highlights
Brisson won a gold medal with the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was later named to the United States roster for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In the AHL, he has produced at a steady rate with both the Henderson Silver Knights and the Hartford Wolf Pack, while also recording his first NHL goal with the Vegas Golden Knights in January 2024.
Brendan Brisson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Brendan Brisson is the son of Pat Brisson, a prominent NHL agent whose clients have included some of the league’s most recognized players. Growing up in a household closely tied to the business side of professional hockey gave Brendan an early and detailed understanding of how careers at the highest level are built. His family connections have played a meaningful role in shaping his path through the sport.
Personal Life
Brisson was raised in Manhattan Beach, California, and developed his hockey skills in the Los Angeles area before moving on to prep and junior hockey programs in Minnesota and the USHL. His career has taken him through college hockey at the University of Michigan, AHL stops in Henderson and Hartford, and NHL appearances with the Vegas Golden Knights. As a young prospect in his early twenties, he continues to focus on his professional development within the New York Rangers organization.
2025 Season Performance
Brendan Brisson’s 2025 storyline centers on his transition to the New York Rangers organization following the March 6, 2025 trade from the Vegas Golden Knights. The trade, which sent him to the Rangers alongside a third-round draft pick in exchange for Reilly Smith, opened a new chapter in his development. Working within the Rangers’ system, he has been slotted into the Hartford Wolf Pack roster in the AHL as he adjusts to a new coaching staff and organizational philosophy.
Throughout the 2025 calendar year, Brisson has continued to build on his offensive game, drawing on the scoring instincts that defined his junior and college careers. His performances with the Wolf Pack have offered him an opportunity to play meaningful minutes in a top-six role and to demonstrate the two-way play that earned him his NHL debut in January 2024.
Looking ahead, Brisson remains a prospect to watch within the Rangers’ pipeline, with the goal of returning to the NHL on a regular basis. His combination of scoring ability, experience from his first NHL games with Vegas, and his gold-medal background with Team USA at the 2021 World Juniors position him as a candidate to push for a larger role in New York. The remainder of the 2025 season will be an important stretch in establishing his place within the Rangers’ long-term plans.