Chase De Leo Bio
Chase De Leo, born on October 25, 1995, in La Mirada, California, is an American professional ice hockey forward. He has spent the majority of his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL) and has appeared in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, and New Jersey Devils. A product of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and a 2014 NHL Draft pick, De Leo has also competed internationally in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the Swiss National League. Most recently, he joined the Milwaukee Admirals in January 2025.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing roughly 194 pounds, De Leo is recognized for his offensive skill, his leadership in the AHL, and his willingness to compete in leagues across North America and Europe.
Early Life and Background
Chase De Leo was raised in La Mirada, California, by his parents, John and Janie. His family owns a wholesale plumbing supply company, and De Leo grew up in a supportive household that encouraged athletic activity. Before turning to hockey, he originally played baseball, but his mother, Janie, found the sport boring and encouraged him to try roller hockey instead. That decision proved to be a turning point in his athletic development.
De Leo took up roller hockey and played for the Orange County Blades before eventually transitioning to ice hockey. He began as a goaltender for the Norwalk Knights, then moved to a forward position. As a youth, he played for the Los Angeles Selects minor ice hockey program, where he was a teammate of fellow future professional Eric Comrie. In 2008, he represented the Selects at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. During that event, he met Colorado Avalanche legends Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Patrick Roy, an experience that convinced him to pursue ice hockey as a career.
Path to Hockey
De Leo’s path to the professional ranks went through the Canadian major junior system. He joined the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks in 2011, where he developed into one of the league’s most consistent offensive contributors. Over four seasons with Portland, De Leo showed steady improvement, finishing his junior career with 251 points in 279 regular-season games, including back-to-back 39-goal seasons. He also contributed 58 points in 81 playoff games and was a key part of the Winterhawks team that won the 2013 WHL championship and advanced to the Memorial Cup final.
On the international stage, De Leo represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, adding another milestone to his résumé before turning professional. His performance in juniors earned him attention from NHL scouts, and in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected him in the fourth round.
Chase De Leo Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
After completing his junior career in 2015, De Leo was assigned to the Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets. He spent most of his first professional season with the Moose, developing his two-way game and adjusting to the pace of professional hockey. On March 20, 2016, he received his first NHL recall and made his league debut that same night against the Anaheim Ducks. He appeared in one more game for the Jets before being returned to the AHL.
De Leo spent the following two seasons entirely with the Manitoba Moose, becoming a reliable depth forward and penalty-killer. As an impending restricted free agent following the 2017–18 season, he was traded by the Jets to the Anaheim Ducks on June 30, 2018, in exchange for Nic Kerdiles.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2018–2021)
De Leo was assigned to the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, to begin the 2018–19 season. He quickly emerged as a top offensive contributor, setting career highs with 20 goals and 55 points in 66 games. In March 2019, he was recalled by Anaheim and made his Ducks debut on March 30, 2019, against the Edmonton Oilers.
The following season, 2019–20, De Leo set a new career high with three shorthanded goals and was named an alternate captain for the Gulls, a leadership role he carried into the 2020–21 campaign. After three seasons within the Anaheim organization, he left as a free agent in the summer of 2021.
New Jersey Devils Era (2021–2022)
On July 29, 2021, De Leo signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils. He was assigned to the Utica Comets, the team’s AHL affiliate, where he led the club in scoring with 21 goals and 56 points in just 55 games. His strong play earned him a November recall, and he made his Devils debut on November 24, 2021, in a 3–2 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Return to Anaheim (2022–2024)
After one season in New Jersey, De Leo opted to return to Anaheim, signing a two-year, two-way contract on July 14, 2022. He rejoined the San Diego Gulls and was named team captain for the 2022–23 season, recording nine goals and 23 points in 22 games. During the 2023–24 preseason, a knee injury kept him sidelined, and he was placed on waivers in late November 2023 before being assigned back to San Diego.
Overseas Stint (2024)
On September 7, 2024, De Leo signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League. After the club struggled and began releasing foreign-born players to cut costs, his contract was terminated following nine appearances. On October 28, 2024, he joined the ZSC Lions of Switzerland’s National League, but was released on November 28 after recording limited production in four league games and two Champions Hockey League contests.
Milwaukee Admirals Era (2025–Present)
Returning to North America as a free agent, De Leo signed an AHL contract with the Charlotte Checkers, but was placed on waivers because he had begun the season in Europe. On January 18, 2025, he was claimed by the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators, where he continues his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
De Leo’s most notable career milestone came during his time with the Portland Winterhawks, where he helped the club capture the 2013 WHL championship and reach the Memorial Cup final. He also represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and made his NHL debut with the Winnipeg Jets on March 20, 2016. His 2018–19 campaign with the San Diego Gulls produced career-best offensive totals, and he was later named captain of the Gulls in 2022.
Chase De Leo Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Chase De Leo has been recognized primarily for his consistent offensive production in the AHL rather than major championship victories. His most significant team title came at the junior level with the Portland Winterhawks’ 2013 WHL championship. In the professional ranks, he has been a steady point producer and leader, including captaining the San Diego Gulls in 2022–23.
Junior and Professional Highlights
De Leo’s 251 points in 279 regular-season games with the Portland Winterhawks stand as one of the strongest offensive résumés in that era of the WHL. His 58 playoff points helped the Winterhawks capture the 2013 WHL title and reach the Memorial Cup final. In the AHL, he set career highs with the San Diego Gulls in 2018–19, recording 20 goals and 55 points, and later led the Utica Comets in scoring during the 2021–22 season with 21 goals and 56 points in 55 games.
Other Performances
De Leo has also represented the United States internationally at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. His brief overseas experience in the KHL and Swiss National League added international variety to his professional journey, before he returned to the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals in January 2025.
Chase De Leo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chase De Leo comes from a close-knit family based in Southern California. He is the son of John and Janie De Leo, who own a wholesale plumbing supply company. His parents have been supportive of his athletic pursuits, and his mother, Janie, played a notable role in steering him away from baseball and toward hockey, a decision that shaped his future career.
Personal Life
De Leo has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing primarily on his professional hockey career. He has spent much of his adult life moving between North American and European cities, adapting to new teams and leagues. Public information regarding a spouse or children has not been disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Chase De Leo. After beginning the campaign overseas with Barys Astana and the ZSC Lions, he returned to North America and was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Admirals on January 18, 2025. Joining the Nashville Predators’ top AHL affiliate, De Leo is expected to bring veteran leadership and offensive depth to the Admirals’ forward group during the second half of the season.
As an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, his performance in Milwaukee will likely shape his next career move, whether that means earning another NHL opportunity or continuing his role as a top AHL contributor. His track record of producing offensively in the AHL, including 20-goal and 21-goal seasons, suggests he remains a capable scoring threat at the second-tier professional level.
With the Admirals in pursuit of a strong Calder Cup run, De Leo’s experience in leadership roles, including captaining the San Diego Gulls in 2022–23, could prove valuable in a playoff push. His 2025 campaign ultimately represents a fresh start and a chance to re-establish himself as a reliable, productive professional.