Chase Stillman Bio
Chase Stillman, born on March 19, 2003, is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey right winger. He currently plays for the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted 29th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2021, Stillman has built his early professional career through the American Hockey League after a productive junior tenure in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Early Life and Background
Chase Stillman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, where his father, Cory Stillman, was playing for the St. Louis Blues at the time. After his father concluded his professional career, the family relocated to Peterborough, Ontario, where Stillman grew up. The hockey environment of his household, combined with the Canadian upbringing that followed, helped shape his path toward competitive ice hockey from a young age.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in professional hockey, Stillman was exposed to the sport at an elite level throughout his childhood. His father, Cory Stillman, had a lengthy NHL career as a forward, and his grandfather, Bud Stefanski, also played as an NHL forward. His brother, Riley Stillman, pursued a professional career as an ice hockey defenceman, further reinforcing the family’s strong connection to the game.
Path to Hockey
Stillman began his competitive hockey journey playing major midget hockey within the Sudbury region of Ontario. His development there led to his selection by the Sudbury Wolves in the second round, 25th overall, of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. In his first OHL season of 2019–20, he demonstrated offensive potential by recording 13 goals and 34 points through 58 games, earning a place on the OHL First All-Rookie Team.
Following the suspension and eventual cancellation of the 2020–21 OHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stillman sought further development by joining the junior ranks of Danish club Esbjerg Energy. He produced 16 points in only 8 games at the under-20 level, a performance that helped elevate his draft stock. As a result, he was selected 29th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, and signed a three-year entry-level contract on August 21, 2021.
Chase Stillman Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Stillman’s early career was defined by his rapid progression through the Sudbury Wolves system. After a strong rookie campaign in 2019–20, in which he posted 34 points and earned All-Rookie Team recognition, the pandemic disrupted his second OHL season. He used the time abroad with Esbjerg Energy in Denmark to refine his game, where his strong production in limited appearances confirmed his standing as a top prospect.
The 2021 NHL Entry Draft marked the official beginning of his professional trajectory, as the New Jersey Devils selected him in the first round. Shortly after the draft, Stillman signed a three-year entry-level contract, formally tying his future to the Devils organization and setting the stage for his return to the OHL.
OHL Return and Peterborough Petes Tenure (2021–2023)
Returning to the Ontario Hockey League for the 2021–22 season, Stillman served as an alternate captain for the Sudbury Wolves and recorded 20 points through 24 appearances before a midseason trade. On January 10, 2022, he was dealt to the Peterborough Petes in exchange for Alex Pharand and five draft picks. After the move, he contributed 10 goals and 29 points in 35 regular-season games, continuing to develop his offensive game.
Stillman returned to the Peterborough Petes for the 2022–23 season and elevated his production, scoring 48 points in 59 games. His consistent per-game scoring rate reflected his growth as a two-way forward, and his performance solidified his readiness to turn professional on a full-time basis following the conclusion of his junior eligibility.
Utica Comets Era (2023–2025)
Stillman turned professional full-time in 2023, joining the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League for the 2023–24 season. He scored his first professional goal on October 28, 2023, in a game against the Rochester Americans, the team for which his brother Riley was playing, and added a second goal in the same 5–4 loss. On February 25, 2024, he recorded his first professional hat trick in a 5–2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch, finishing his rookie AHL campaign with 14 goals and 24 points in 54 games.
During the 2024–25 season, Stillman was briefly recalled by the New Jersey Devils, though he remained a healthy scratch during his time with the NHL club. At the NHL trade deadline on March 7, 2025, he was dealt by the Devils, alongside the rights to prospect Max Graham and a third-round pick in 2027, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Cody Glass and Jonathan Gruden. Shortly after, on July 13, 2025, the Penguins traded him, along with a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Artūrs Šilovs.
Abbotsford Canucks Era (2025–Present)
Following his trade to the Vancouver Canucks organization, Stillman joined the Abbotsford Canucks, Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, for the 2025–26 season. The move positioned him within a new developmental system as he continued his pursuit of a full-time NHL role. His placement with Abbotsford offered a fresh opportunity to showcase his offensive abilities and two-way game within a competitive Western Conference environment.
Playing Style and Strengths
Chase Stillman is recognized for his offensive instincts and two-way responsibility as a right winger. His development path through both the OHL and AHL has emphasized consistent point production, while his time with Esbjerg Energy highlighted his ability to adapt to different playing environments. Stillman’s combination of scoring touch and physical play has marked him as a reliable depth forward prospect within professional systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Stillman’s most notable achievements is his first-round selection by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. His first professional goal, scored against the Rochester Americans in October 2023, carried personal significance as he faced the team featuring his brother Riley. Recording his first professional hat trick against the Syracuse Crunch in February 2024 further underscored his scoring potential at the AHL level.
Chase Stillman Career Wins
Throughout his junior and professional career, Chase Stillman has accumulated notable individual and team milestones. While team championship data across his tenures with the Sudbury Wolves, Peterborough Petes, Utica Comets, and Abbotsford Canucks is not fully verified, his individual scoring achievements and recognition, including his OHL First All-Rookie Team selection in 2020, stand as defining accomplishments.
OHL Highlights
Stillman’s OHL tenure featured several statistical highlights across his time with the Sudbury Wolves and Peterborough Petes. In 2019–20, he was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team after recording 34 points. His most productive junior season came in 2022–23 with the Petes, when he scored 48 points in 59 games, establishing himself as a reliable offensive contributor.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his OHL accomplishments, Stillman’s brief but productive stint with Esbjerg Energy in Denmark produced 16 points in 8 games, demonstrating his ability to perform in international competition. His transition to the AHL with the Utica Comets included his first professional hat trick in February 2024, marking a memorable moment in his early professional development.
Chase Stillman Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Chase Stillman comes from one of hockey’s notable family lineages. His father, Cory Stillman, enjoyed a long NHL career as a forward, playing for several teams including the St. Louis Blues during Chase’s birth. His grandfather, Bud Stefanski, also played as an NHL forward, extending the family’s professional hockey tradition across multiple generations.
Personal Life
Stillman is the brother of Riley Stillman, a professional ice hockey defenceman, reinforcing the family’s strong presence in the sport. Raised in Peterborough, Ontario, after his father’s playing career concluded, Stillman continues to pursue his professional hockey ambitions in North America.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Chase Stillman. After beginning the campaign with the Utica Comets under the New Jersey Devils organization, he was dealt at the trade deadline on March 7, 2025, to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although he was briefly recalled by the Devils earlier in the season, he did not appear in NHL games during that period, remaining a healthy scratch throughout his recall.
On July 13, 2025, Stillman was traded again, this time from the Penguins to the Vancouver Canucks, joining the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, for the 2025–26 season. The move offered a fresh start within a new system, presenting Stillman with the opportunity to compete for a consistent role in the Canucks’ developmental pipeline.
As the 2025–26 season unfolds, Stillman’s focus remains on establishing himself as a steady contributor at the AHL level while positioning himself for a future opportunity at the NHL level with the Vancouver Canucks organization. His continued development in Abbotsford will be closely watched as he works toward a full-time NHL roster spot.