Casey DeSmith Bio
Casey DeSmith, born on August 13, 1991, in Rochester, New Hampshire, is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 187 pounds, DeSmith has carved out a steady NHL career through perseverance, sharp reflexes, and a willingness to compete for every opportunity. Undrafted and once considered undersized for the position, he worked his way up from the ECHL to the AHL and eventually into the NHL, where he has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Vancouver Canucks, and the Dallas Stars.
Known for his calm demeanor and resilience, DeSmith holds the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins record for most saves in a playoff game. He earned recognition early in his professional career as a member of the AHL’s 2016–17 All-Rookie Team and as a co-recipient of the 2017 Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award, which honors the goaltending tandem with the lowest goals-against average in the league.
Early Life and Background
Casey DeSmith grew up in Rochester, New Hampshire, where he developed an early passion for ice hockey. He attended Berwick Academy in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) league from 2006 to 2008 before spending one season with Deerfield Academy. These formative years in prep school hockey helped him sharpen his fundamentals and prepare for the jump to higher-level competition.
After his time in prep school, DeSmith joined the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL), one of the top junior leagues in the country. Playing 64 regular-season games with the Ice, he posted a 0.911 save percentage, a 2.80 goals-against average, and three shutouts. His strong performance in the USHL earned him attention from college programs and set the stage for his move into NCAA hockey.
DeSmith enrolled at the University of New Hampshire, where he studied business while playing for the UNH Wildcats men’s ice hockey team from 2011 to 2014. During his freshman season, he recorded a 9–10–1 overall record, earned his first college shutout on January 11, 2011, and finished the year with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. He was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week and Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week, and he capped the season by being selected to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.
Path to Hockey
DeSmith’s college career was cut short in September 2014 following a legal incident involving a former girlfriend. He was suspended and eventually dismissed from the University of New Hampshire hockey program. DeSmith accepted a plea bargain in December 2014, pleading not guilty to all charges except a single count of disorderly conduct, which under New Hampshire law is classified as a violation rather than a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to a $124 fine and 12 months of probation, along with community service as part of a diversion agreement.
Although he applied for an NCAA waiver to transfer and continue his college career at another school, the request was denied. Several programs expressed interest in signing him, but the NCAA ruling prevented him from playing anywhere during the 2014–15 season. DeSmith completed the terms of his plea agreement and stayed out of further trouble.
In June 2015, after the NCAA denied his transfer waiver, DeSmith signed a contract for the 2015–16 season with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, the affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. That deal marked his official entry into professional hockey and began the long climb that eventually carried him to the NHL.
Casey DeSmith Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
DeSmith appeared in 13 games during the 2015–16 ECHL season with the Wheeling Nailers, posting a 5–2–2 record, a 2.55 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage as the team won the Eastern Conference championship. On January 3, 2016, he was loaned to the Nailers’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he earned his first AHL win in his first career start against the Hartford Wolf Pack, stopping 22 of 24 shots.
He closed the 2015–16 AHL season on a high note, winning his final three starts with a .950 save percentage. During the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs, DeSmith won his first professional postseason game on April 20, 2016, against the Providence Bruins. Three days later, he set a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton franchise record by making 59 saves in a double-overtime win that clinched the Penguins’ fourth division title as the top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference.
AHL Breakthrough (2016–2017)
On July 5, 2016, DeSmith signed a contract directly with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. During the 2016–17 season, he appeared in 29 games and finished the regular season at the top of the AHL with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. When Tristan Jarry was recalled by Pittsburgh for the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, DeSmith started all five remaining postseason games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
DeSmith and Jarry were awarded the 2017 Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award as the AHL’s top goaltending tandem. DeSmith was also voted to the AHL’s 2016–17 All-Rookie Team alongside teammate Jake Guentzel. After the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton season ended, he served as a “Black Ace” during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2017 Stanley Cup championship run.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2017–2023)
On July 1, 2017, DeSmith signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made his NHL debut on October 29, 2017, against the Winnipeg Jets after head coach Mike Sullivan pulled starting goaltender Matt Murray in the first period. DeSmith made 12 saves in just over 40 minutes and became the 62nd former Nailers/Thunderbird player to reach the NHL. On January 18, 2018, he earned his first NHL start and first NHL win, stopping 28 of 29 shots in a 3–1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He recorded his first NHL shutout on April 6, 2018, helping Pittsburgh clinch home-ice advantage for the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.
On January 11, 2019, DeSmith signed a three-year, $3.75 million contract extension with the Penguins. After being reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to start the 2019–20 season, he returned to the NHL in 2020–21 as the full-time backup to Tristan Jarry. The following year, he took over the starting role for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs after Jarry suffered a foot injury. In Game 1 of the first round against the New York Rangers, DeSmith made 48 saves on 51 shots through regulation and two overtime periods before exiting midway through double overtime due to a core muscle injury that required surgery and ended his postseason. On July 5, 2022, Pittsburgh re-signed him to a two-year, $3.6 million contract.
Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars Era (2023–Present)
On August 6, 2023, DeSmith was traded to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a three-team deal involving the San Jose Sharks. Less than six weeks later, on September 19, 2023, he was traded again, this time to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Tanner Pearson and a 2025 third-round pick. DeSmith spent the 2023–24 season with Vancouver.
On July 1, 2024, DeSmith signed a three-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars, where he continues to serve as a steady backup option in goal. His move to Dallas marked a fresh chapter in a career that has taken him from the ECHL to one of the NHL’s most competitive organizations.
Playing Style and Strengths
DeSmith is widely regarded as a technically sound goaltender with strong lateral movement, reliable positioning, and the composure required to handle heavy shot volumes. His record-setting 59-save performance in the AHL playoffs demonstrated his endurance and ability to track the puck through traffic. Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation as a reliable teammate who can step into a starting role on short notice.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among DeSmith’s defining career moments are his franchise-record 59 saves in a 2016 Calder Cup playoff game, his first NHL win against the Los Angeles Kings in January 2018, and his 48-save performance in the opening game of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs before his season-ending surgery. He also earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors and shared the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award with Tristan Jarry in 2017.
Casey DeSmith Career Wins
Casey DeSmith has compiled a strong record of wins and shutouts across the ECHL, AHL, and NHL. From his early days with the Wheeling Nailers to his current role with the Dallas Stars, he has consistently delivered quality performances for every team he has represented.
NHL Highlights
DeSmith made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in October 2017 and earned his first NHL win on January 18, 2018, stopping 28 of 29 shots against the Los Angeles Kings. He went on to record his first NHL shutout on April 6, 2018, and played key roles for Pittsburgh in multiple playoff runs, including a 48-save performance in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Rangers.
AHL and ECHL Highlights
In the AHL, DeSmith posted a 2.01 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage during the 2016–17 season, earning All-Rookie Team honors and sharing the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award. He also won an ECHL Eastern Conference championship with the Wheeling Nailers in 2015–16 and set a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton franchise record with 59 saves in a single playoff game.
Casey DeSmith Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Casey DeSmith was raised in Rochester, New Hampshire, where his love for hockey began at a young age. Limited public information is available regarding his parents or siblings, and he has kept most details of his personal and family life private throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
DeSmith studied business at the University of New Hampshire and has continued to maintain a low public profile outside of hockey. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his career and interests.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NHL season with the Dallas Stars, Casey DeSmith continues to serve as a reliable backup goaltender behind the team’s starting netminder. His three-year contract, signed in July 2024, positions him as a key depth piece for a Stars organization with strong playoff aspirations in the Western Conference.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025 campaign, DeSmith has provided steady relief appearances and has been credited with helping the Stars remain competitive in tight games. His experience from multiple playoff runs with the Pittsburgh Penguins has added value to the Dallas locker room, and his performance in practice has been praised by the coaching staff.
With the Stars firmly in the playoff picture, DeSmith is expected to play an important supporting role as the season progresses. His combination of veteran poise, technical skill, and familiarity with high-pressure situations makes him a valuable asset for Dallas as the team pushes toward a potential deep postseason run in 2025.