Dennis Gilbert Bio
Dennis Gilbert (born October 30, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds, he is recognized as a steady, defense-first blueliner who has carved out a journeyman career across multiple NHL organizations.
Selected 90th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 NHL entry draft, Gilbert has spent time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres before arriving in Ottawa. He is widely regarded as a reliable depth defenseman whose skating, positioning, and penalty-killing work have made him a trusted presence on any roster he has joined.
Early Life and Background
Dennis Gilbert was born on October 30, 1996, in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in a close-knit household alongside his parents, Dennis Sr. and Kim Gilbert. Buffalo’s rich hockey culture and its proximity to the Canadian border meant that hockey was a natural part of his childhood, even if the sport did not consume his entire youth.
During his formative years, Gilbert stood out from many of his future peers by choosing not to play hockey year-round. Instead, he deliberately stepped away from the rink in the offseasons to play lacrosse and football, a decision he later credited with keeping him fresh, athletic, and mentally engaged. That multisport upbringing helped him develop the physical toughness and hand-eye coordination that would later define his style on the blue line.
Path to Hockey
Gilbert’s organized hockey journey began in his hometown, where he played for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The program gave him his first taste of high-level junior competition, and he used the experience to refine the defensive fundamentals that would later catch the attention of NHL scouts.
He continued his development with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, one of the premier amateur leagues in North America. His performance with the Steel helped establish him as a dependable, two-way defenseman, and he committed to playing collegiate hockey for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the University of Notre Dame, where he competed in Hockey East.
Dennis Gilbert Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Gilbert skated for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for three seasons, and it was during his time in South Bend that his reputation as a top defensive prospect grew. In his sophomore season of 2016–17, he helped guide Notre Dame to the Frozen Four, the pinnacle of NCAA hockey, while also earning recognition as Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenseman and a Hockey East Third Team All-Star.
After his junior year with the Fighting Irish in 2017–18, Gilbert decided to turn professional. On April 14, 2018, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that had originally drafted him 90th overall in 2015. The deal marked the official beginning of his NHL career.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2018–2020)
Gilbert began his professional career within the Blackhawks organization, splitting his time between the NHL roster and the team’s American Hockey League affiliate. The Blackhawks saw him as a project with a strong defensive foundation, and he used his entry-level deal to adjust to the speed and physicality of professional hockey.
By the final year of that contract, however, the Blackhawks opted for a roster reset. On October 10, 2020, Gilbert was traded, alongside forward Brandon Saad, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Anton Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, bringing his original chapter in Chicago to a close.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2020–2022)
In Colorado, Gilbert joined one of the deepest organizations in the NHL and slotted into a depth role on the blue line. He spent the next two seasons with the Avalanche, contributing to a winning environment and learning the habits of a Stanley Cup-caliber squad.
Although he did not become a regular fixture in Colorado’s everyday lineup, Gilbert’s time with the Avalanche was valuable. He signed a two-year, $1.525 million contract with the Calgary Flames as a free agent on July 13, 2022, after his deal in Colorado expired.
Calgary Flames Era (2022–2024)
With the Calgary Flames, Gilbert continued to embrace his identity as a defense-first, penalty-killing blueliner. He played two seasons under the Flames’ banner, providing steady depth minutes and serving as a reliable option when injuries hit the defensive group.
When his two-year contract expired, Gilbert once again tested free agency. On July 1, 2024, he signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Buffalo Sabres, a meaningful homecoming for the Buffalo native who had grown up cheering for the local NHL team.
Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators Era (2024–Present)
Gilbert’s stint in Buffalo lasted less than a full season. On March 7, 2025, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators along with Dylan Cozens and a 2026 second-round pick, in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. He concluded the 2024–25 campaign with the Senators, registering one assist in four appearances.
As a free agent that summer, Gilbert signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1, 2025. Just under five months later, however, he was traded back to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Maxence Guenette, returning to the organization where he had finished the previous season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gilbert is the type of defenseman coaches trust rather than feature. He relies on sound positioning, a long, active stick, and a willingness to block shots and serve on the penalty kill. His multisport athletic background, particularly the time spent away from hockey playing lacrosse and football, contributes to his balance, mobility, and physical edge in board battles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable chapters of Gilbert’s career was helping Notre Dame reach the Frozen Four in 2016–17, which earned him Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenseman honor the same season. Being drafted 90th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, turning pro on April 14, 2018, and being part of the March 7, 2025 trade to Ottawa also stand out as defining moments in his journey.
Dennis Gilbert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Dennis Gilbert was raised by his father, Dennis Sr., and his mother, Kim Gilbert, who nurtured his early interest in athletics. While his family is not from a well-known hockey lineage, his parents supported his decision to play multiple sports during his youth, an approach that helped shape him into the well-rounded athlete he became.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Gilbert has kept his personal life relatively private, and details about a spouse, partner, or children are not publicly confirmed. He is known to remain closely tied to his Buffalo, New York roots, a connection that made his 2024 signing with the Sabres a meaningful full-circle moment in his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been one of the most eventful stretches of Dennis Gilbert’s professional career. He began it as a member of the Buffalo Sabres before being dealt midseason to the Ottawa Senators, where he posted one assist in four games down the stretch as Ottawa pushed for a playoff position.
His summer only added to the turbulence. After hitting free agency, Gilbert signed with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1, 2025, only to be traded back to the Ottawa Senators roughly five months later in exchange for Maxence Guenette. The move gave Gilbert a familiar home in Ottawa and another chance to compete for a steady role on the blue line.
Heading into the remainder of 2025, Gilbert’s focus is on locking down a consistent spot in the Senators’ defensive rotation and contributing on the penalty kill. With a one-year, $875,000 contract and the trust of the Ottawa coaching staff, he has a clear opportunity to establish himself as a reliable everyday blueliner for the organization.