Chris Driedger Bio
Chris Driedger is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender born on May 18, 1994, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A free agent, he most recently played with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, Driedger has built his career on steady positioning, rebound control, and the ability to log heavy workloads for his teams.
Selected by the Ottawa Senators in the third round, 76th overall, of the 2012 NHL Draft, Driedger has spent time in the National Hockey League, the American Hockey League, and the ECHL. In 2022, he helped Team Canada earn a silver medal at the IIHF World Championship in Finland.
Early Life and Background
Chris Driedger was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to parents Cindy and Kelly Driedger. He grew up in the city and developed his goaltending skills in the local minor hockey system. As a young player, Driedger suited up for the Winnipeg Monarchs at the AAA Bantam and Midget levels, where his poise and athletic ability quickly stood out to scouts.
His play with the Monarchs earned Driedger a selection in the 2009 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft by the Tri-City Americans. He returned to the Monarchs for the 2009–10 season, posting a 13-6-0 record with a 2.14 goals-against average (GAA) and five shutouts, before making the jump to major junior hockey.
While playing in the WHL, Driedger was enrolled at St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg. He also competed on the school’s track team, an experience that helped him build the conditioning and lower-body strength that would later support his professional career.
Path to Hockey
Driedger began his major junior career with the Tri-City Americans in 2010–11, appearing in 22 games and recording six wins. Following the season, he was traded to the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. His first year in Calgary was a learning curve, as a high ankle sprain and a slow start tested him early.
After seeking guidance from a sports psychologist in December 2011, Driedger steadied his game and finished the year strong. He was invited to the 2012 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game for Team Orr, an experience that helped raise his profile ahead of the NHL Draft.
Ranked 13th among North American goaltending prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Driedger was selected 76th overall by the Ottawa Senators. He was the only WHL goaltender taken that year and quickly established himself as the Hitmen’s number-one netminder.
Chris Driedger Career
Junior Career and Development (2010–2014)
Driedger’s development in Calgary peaked during the 2012–13 season when he was named the WHL’s Goaltender of the Month for November after helping the Hitmen reach the top of the Eastern Conference standings. He led the team into the 2013 WHL Playoffs as the starting goaltender, sharpening the workload habits that would define his professional career.
During his final WHL season in 2013–14, Driedger became the sixth goaltender in league history and the first in Hitmen history to be credited with scoring a goal, inadvertently putting the puck into the empty Kootenay Ice net on February 1, 2014. He also surpassed Martin Jones to become the Hitmen’s all-time saves leader, finishing his major junior career with 170 regular-season appearances, a 94–46–15 record, and eight shutouts.
Ottawa Senators Organization (2014–2018)
On April 1, 2014, Driedger signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. He was immediately assigned to the Senators’ ECHL affiliate, the Elmira Jackals, where he made his professional debut on April 4, 2014, stopping 30 of 31 shots in a 5–1 win over the Orlando Solar Bears. He also made his AHL debut with the Binghamton Senators later that month.
Driedger’s first NHL opportunity came on March 26, 2015, when he was called up to relieve Andrew Hammond against the New York Rangers and made ten saves. He continued to develop in the AHL, earning a shutout on opening night of the 2016–17 season against the Hershey Bears and a 46-save performance in a shootout win over the Rochester Americans in April 2017.
Florida Panthers Era (2018–2021)
After agreeing to a one-year AHL deal with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Florida Panthers’ top affiliate, Driedger earned an NHL contract with Florida in February 2019. He finished the season with an 18–10–2 record and a league-leading .924 save percentage in the AHL, then signed a two-year extension with the Panthers.
Driedger became the Panthers’ full-time backup to Sergei Bobrovsky in 2020–21, appearing in 23 games and recording a 2.07 GAA, .927 save percentage, and three shutouts. He also made his NHL playoff debut that spring against the Tampa Bay Lightning, picking up 26 saves in Game 2 and finishing the year as a trusted member of Florida’s goaltending tandem.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021–2024)
On July 21, 2021, Driedger signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the NHL’s newest franchise, the Seattle Kraken, during their exclusive free-agent signing window. He was expected to compete for the starting role before the arrival of Philipp Grubauer placed him back in a backup position.
Injuries limited Driedger during the Kraken’s inaugural 2021–22 season, but he returned to record his first shutout with the team on April 29, 2022, against the San Jose Sharks. The following season, after a torn ACL suffered at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, he spent most of his time with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, helping them reach the Calder Cup Finals. In 2023–24, Driedger starred for the Firebirds with a 24–7–7 regular-season record and back-to-back trips to the Calder Cup Finals.
Return to Florida, Trade to Winnipeg, and KHL Move (2024–2025)
After becoming a free agent, Driedger signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2024, but was assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL to begin the season. On March 6, 2025, he was traded to his hometown Winnipeg Jets in exchange for goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen and assigned to the Manitoba Moose.
Seeking a fresh start abroad, Driedger signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL on June 17, 2025. He recorded a shutout against Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg on September 18, 2025, before the two sides mutually terminated his contract on November 23, 2025, returning him to free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Driedger’s game is built on positioning, calmness under pressure, and the ability to read plays quickly. He relies on efficient movement in the crease rather than over-committing, which helps him manage rebounds and limit second chances. His track background at St. Paul’s High School also gives him an athletic edge in tracking the puck through traffic.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Driedger’s most memorable moments are his unusual WHL goal credited on February 1, 2014, his first NHL playoff start with the Florida Panthers in May 2021, and his silver medal with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Championship despite playing through an injury in the final.
Chris Driedger Career Wins
Chris Driedger has collected wins across the WHL, ECHL, AHL, NHL, and KHL. His junior career alone featured 94 regular-season victories, and he has since added professional wins in the NHL, AHL, and international leagues while representing multiple franchises.
NHL and AHL Highlights
Driedger’s first NHL victory came during the 2019–20 season with the Florida Panthers, capped by a 27-save shutout of the Nashville Predators on November 30, 2019. He went on to start 11 NHL games that season, finishing 7–2–1 with a 2.05 GAA and a .938 save percentage.
In the AHL, Driedger posted a 24–7–7 record with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2023–24 and helped the club reach back-to-back Calder Cup Finals in 2023 and 2024, earning a playoff win total of 12–6 across those postseasons.
Other Wins and Performances
Driedger’s professional career began with the Elmira Jackals and continued through stints with the Evansville IceMen, Manchester Monarchs, Springfield Thunderbirds, Charlotte Checkers, and Manitoba Moose. Internationally, he represented Team Canada West at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, where he went 4–2 with a 1.76 GAA to help his country capture silver.
Chris Driedger Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chris Driedger was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, by his parents Cindy and Kelly Driedger. Growing up in a hockey-driven household in Manitoba helped shape his early dedication to the sport.
Personal Life
Driedger remains closely connected to Winnipeg, where his family still resides. His trade to the Winnipeg Jets in March 2025 allowed him to return to his hometown organization, though he continued his career with the Manitoba Moose before heading overseas to the KHL.
2025 Season Performance
Driedger began 2025 with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, where he posted a 10–6–4 record through 20 games. His mid-season trade to the Winnipeg Jets brought him back to his hometown, although he was assigned to the Manitoba Moose, where he appeared in five games and went 1–3–0.
On June 17, 2025, Driedger signed a one-year deal with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL to revive his career abroad. He recorded a 33-save shutout against Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg on September 18, 2025, finishing his KHL stint with a 3.05 GAA and a .897 save percentage across 23 appearances.
On November 23, 2025, Driedger and Traktor mutually terminated his contract, returning the veteran goaltender to unrestricted free agency. With more than a decade of professional experience behind him, Driedger is expected to weigh NHL opportunities, AHL contracts, and potential European offers as the 2025–26 season continues.