Colin Blackwell Bio
Colin Blackwell is an American professional ice hockey center for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 28, 1993, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and raised in nearby North Andover, Blackwell developed into a steady two-way forward known for his work ethic, defensive responsibility, and timely scoring. After a college career at Harvard University that was interrupted by injury, he carved out a journeyman path through the American Hockey League before establishing himself as a reliable NHL contributor with several franchises.
Selected by the San Jose Sharks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Blackwell spent years working through the minors before signing his first NHL contract in 2018. Since then, he has suited up for the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Dallas Stars, earning a reputation as a character player who brings energy to the bottom of the lineup while still capable of producing offensively.
Early Life and Background
Colin Blackwell was born on March 28, 1993, to parents Jim and Carla Blackwell in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He grew up in the neighboring town of North Andover, a region with deep roots in New England hockey culture. As a young sports fan, Blackwell followed the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Boston Bruins, the local professional teams that shaped his appreciation for hard-nosed competition.
He attended St. John’s Prep, a well-regarded Catholic preparatory school in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he played high school hockey from 2007 to 2011. A standout for the Prep, Blackwell recorded 66 points in just 25 games during his time there, a production rate that quickly placed him on the radar of NHL scouts. Outside of school hockey, he developed his game with the Valley Junior Warriors program from 2004 to 2010, progressing from Peewee minors through the U16 level.
Path to Hockey
Blackwell’s path to the professional ranks began in earnest when he was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round, 194th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Although a late-round pick, he chose to further his development at the collegiate level and enrolled at Harvard University, where he played for the Crimson in the ECAC.
His Harvard tenure was difficult. A concussion limited his availability for the majority of his junior and senior seasons, putting his playing future in question. He returned near the end of his senior year in 2014–15, appearing in 11 games and helping Harvard capture the ECAC Tournament Championship. Despite the setbacks, the experience reinforced a competitive identity that would serve him well in the professional game.
Colin Blackwell Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Following his redshirt senior season, Blackwell began his professional career in 2016–17, signing a one-year AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda, the top affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. Used primarily in a checking line role, he produced 11 points in 57 regular-season games before appearing in 15 postseason contests during the Barracuda’s playoff run.
As a free agent, he left the Sharks organization and attended the Buffalo Sabres’ rookie camp before joining their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, on a professional tryout to begin 2017–18. He produced three points in eight games before securing an AHL contract on November 2, 2017. He then emerged as a key offensive contributor for the Americans, leading all Rochester forwards with 17 goals and 45 points in 61 games.
Nashville Predators Breakthrough (2018–2020)
On July 3, 2018, Blackwell signed his first NHL contract as a free agent, agreeing to a two-year, two-way deal with the Nashville Predators. After attending Nashville’s training camp, he was reassigned to the AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, to open the 2018–19 season. Despite missing 27 games due to injury, he scored seven goals in 14 games, a pace that earned him his first recall to the Predators on January 19, 2019.
He made his NHL debut the same day, playing on the fourth line in a 4–2 loss to the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena. The brief NHL stint provided a first taste of the league and confirmed that his game could translate to the top level.
New York Rangers Era (2020–2021)
On October 9, 2020, Blackwell signed a two-year, $725,000 annually contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers, with the second year structured as a one-way deal. In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, he made his Rangers debut on January 24, 2021, against the Pittsburgh Penguins and scored his first goal with the team, though New York fell 3–2. On March 28, his 28th birthday, he scored a career-high two goals against the Washington Capitals, becoming the eighth Rangers player to record a multi-goal game on his birthday and the first since Ryan Callahan on March 21, 2009.
He finished the season with 12 goals and 22 points in 47 regular-season games, a breakout performance that established him as a contributing NHL forward.
Seattle Kraken and Toronto Maple Leafs (2021–2022)
On July 21, 2021, Blackwell was selected by the Seattle Kraken at the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. In his only season with Seattle, he scored eight goals and 17 points in 38 games. On March 20, 2022, at the NHL trade deadline, he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with Mark Giordano in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 third-round pick.
With Toronto, he scored two goals and three points in 19 regular-season games and added one goal and two points in seven playoff contests during the Maple Leafs’ first-round loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2022–2024)
On July 13, 2022, Blackwell signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent. He appeared in 53 games for the Blackhawks before suffering a season-ending sports hernia in March 2023. Recovery was complicated, delaying his return until December 2023. Chicago nominated him for the Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Dallas Stars Era (2024–Present)
After completing his contract in Chicago, Blackwell signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 2024. He quickly became a depth contributor for the Stars, providing energy, penalty killing, and bottom-six scoring. On April 21, 2025, he scored the overtime game-winning goal against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, delivering one of the most dramatic moments of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blackwell plays a direct, north-south game built on speed, quickness, and responsible two-way play. Listed at 5 feet 9 inches and approximately 182 pounds, he compensates for a smaller frame with high tempo skating and an active stick in the defensive zone. Coaches have trusted him in checking roles and on the penalty kill, while his offensive touch has surfaced in spurts when given top-six opportunities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Blackwell counts his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators on January 19, 2019, a two-goal birthday performance for the Rangers on March 28, 2021, and an overtime winner against the Colorado Avalanche in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was also Chicago’s nominee for the Masterton Trophy, recognizing his perseverance through a difficult injury rehab.
Colin Blackwell Career Wins
Blackwell’s professional résumé is built less on championship trophies and more on incremental NHL milestones earned over eight seasons. He has produced double-digit goal totals with the New York Rangers and has scored pivotal goals in playoff games for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Dallas Stars.
NHL Highlights
He recorded his first NHL goal with the New York Rangers on January 24, 2021, and posted a career-high two-goal game on his 28th birthday. With the Dallas Stars, he delivered an overtime winner in Game 2 of the 2025 first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche, a signature playoff moment in his career.
Other Wins and Performances
At the AHL level, Blackwell was a productive offensive contributor for the Rochester Americans, leading the team’s forwards with 17 goals and 45 points in 2017–18. He also helped the San Jose Barracuda reach the AHL playoffs in 2016–17 and contributed to Harvard’s ECAC Tournament Championship in 2014–15.
Colin Blackwell Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Colin Blackwell is the son of Jim and Carla Blackwell. He grew up in North Andover, Massachusetts, immersed in a family environment that supported his development as a multi-sport athlete before he committed fully to hockey. His parents’ consistent presence has been credited in profiles as a steadying influence through his injury-plagued college years and his long journey to the NHL.
Personal Life
Blackwell has kept much of his personal life private. He has not publicly disclosed a spouse or partner, and details about his life outside hockey are limited.
2025 Season Performance
Colin Blackwell entered the 2024–25 season with the Dallas Stars on a one-year, $775,000 contract, tasked with providing depth scoring, penalty killing, and energy in the bottom six. He appeared regularly through the regular season and continued in that role into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he delivered one of the most memorable moments of Dallas’s first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. On April 21, 2025, he scored the overtime game-winning goal in Game 2, helping the Stars grab an early series lead.
As a depth forward on a contending roster, Blackwell’s value has been measured in defensive reliability, faceoff work, and timely goals rather than top-line production. His overtime heroics underscored the kind of impact fourth-line and third-line players can deliver in the postseason.
Looking ahead, Blackwell’s future beyond 2024–25 will depend on his playoff performance and the Stars’ roster decisions. Given his track record of rebounding from setbacks, he remains a dependable option for teams seeking a versatile, hardworking bottom-six center.