Collin Graf Bio
Collin Graf (born September 21, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey player for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 185 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 86 kilograms, Graf plays as a forward and skates on a three-year entry-level contract that runs through the 2026–27 season. He played college ice hockey for Union College and Quinnipiac University, excelling in his collegiate career and receiving several accolades before entering the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Collin Graf was born on September 21, 2002, in Lincoln, Massachusetts, USA. Growing up in the New England region, he was surrounded by a strong youth hockey culture that helped shape his early development as a skater and playmaker. He began his collegiate career in the ECAC Hockey conference, one of the most competitive circuits in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey.
After completing his high school playing days, Graf enrolled at Union College, where he immediately earned a place in the lineup during the 2021–22 season. He recorded 11 goals and 11 assists in 37 games as a freshman, demonstrating two-way skill and offensive creativity that drew attention from professional scouts. Following his first college season, he made the decision to transfer to Quinnipiac University in search of a stronger program fit and a larger role.
Path to Hockey
Graf’s transition to Quinnipiac University marked the beginning of his rise as one of the top college hockey players in the country. During the 2022–23 season, in his sophomore year, he recorded a team-high 20 goals and 38 assists in 40 games. His 58 points were the most by a Bobcats player since Bryan Leitch set the program record of 59 points during the 2008–09 season.
On November 12, 2022, Graf recorded his first career hat-trick in a game against Yale, and he went on to record four goals and eight assists during November, including points in nine of the team’s 10 games. During the Friendship Four tournament, he recorded three assists and was named the Player of the Tournament. He was subsequently named the ECAC Forward of the Month and the HCA Co-National Player of the Month. During December, he added three goals and nine assists, becoming one of only two players in the league to record double-digit points that month, and was named the ECAC Forward of the Month for the second consecutive month. Following the season, he was a unanimous All-ECAC First Team selection, an AHCA East First Team All-American, and a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Collin Graf Career
Early Career (2021–22)
Graf began his collegiate career for Union College during the 2021–22 season, where he recorded 11 goals and 11 assists in 37 games. His well-rounded production as a freshman signaled the kind of offensive potential that NHL scouts monitor closely, and his calm, skilled play earned him a reputation as a high-ceiling forward prospect. The Union College experience helped him adjust to the speed, pace, and physicality of Division I college hockey, and he entered the transfer portal after one season looking for a more prominent offensive role.
Following his freshman year, he transferred to Quinnipiac University, joining a Bobcats program with championship aspirations in the ECAC. The move quickly paid dividends, as Graf adapted to his new surroundings and became a central figure in the team’s attack from his first game in a Quinnipiac uniform.
Quinnipiac University Breakthrough (2022–2024)
During the 2022–23 season, in his sophomore year, Graf exploded offensively, recording a team-high 20 goals and 38 assists in 40 games. He became the focal point of the Bobcats’ power play and five-on-five attack, and his scoring rate placed him among the most productive players in the entire ECAC. He was recognized with the ECAC Forward of the Month honors in consecutive months, named a unanimous All-ECAC First Team selection, and selected as an AHCA East First Team All-American. He was also named a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player.
During the 2023–24 season, in his junior year, Graf led his team in goals and points with 14 goals and 19 assists in 20 conference games, averaging 1.65 points per game. His dominance against ECAC opponents reinforced his standing as one of the elite college players in the country, and he was again named a unanimous All-ECAC First Team selection. He was also named ECAC Hockey Player of the Year, capping an exceptional two-year run at Quinnipiac. He finished his collegiate career with 54 goals and 76 assists in 112 games across Union College and Quinnipiac University.
San Jose Sharks Era (2024–Present)
On April 4, 2024, Graf signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He made his NHL debut two days later, on April 6, 2024, in a 3–2 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues. The debut performance gave him an early look at the league’s speed and structure, and he recorded his first NHL point in his second game on April 7, assisting on a goal by Luke Kunin in a 5–2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.
Graf joined a young San Jose Sharks roster in the midst of a broader organizational rebuild, and his smooth transition from college hockey to the NHL highlighted his offensive instincts and hockey IQ. His entry-level deal keeps him under contract with the Sharks through the 2026–27 season, providing both player and club with time to develop his game at the highest level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Graf is recognized as a skilled playmaking forward with excellent vision, strong passing ability, and a consistent scoring touch. He produced at a high level in both ECAC conference play and nationally during his college years, and his ability to register points in bunches, including a hat-trick against Yale, reflected his offensive ceiling. His 1.65 points-per-game average during his junior season demonstrated a reliable ability to generate offense against top-level college competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Graf recorded his first career hat-trick against Yale on November 12, 2022, was named the Player of the Tournament at the Friendship Four, and was twice selected as the ECAC Forward of the Month. He was also a Hobey Baker Award top-ten finalist and the ECAC Hockey Player of the Year, milestones that place him among the most decorated Quinnipiac skaters of his era. He made his NHL debut in an overtime win over the St. Louis Blues on April 6, 2024, and registered his first NHL point two days later against the Arizona Coyotes.
Collin Graf Family
Personal Life
Collin Graf is an American professional ice hockey player who was born in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Public details about his parents, spouse, and children are not available in verified sources. He is focused on his early NHL career with the San Jose Sharks and continues to develop as a professional forward.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 calendar year, Collin Graf is in the early stages of his entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks, with his deal running through the 2026–27 season. As a young forward on a rebuilding Sharks roster, he is expected to continue building his role in the team’s forward group and contributing offensive production from a middle-six position. His smooth transition from NCAA standout to NHL player has given the organization confidence in his long-term projection.
Graf’s college resume, including 54 goals and 76 assists in 112 games, an ECAC Player of the Year award, and a Hobey Baker top-ten selection, provides a strong foundation for sustained NHL development. The Sharks will look for him to translate his playmaking and shot-generating tendencies into consistent NHL production throughout the 2025 campaign.