Gabriel Vilardi Bio
Gabriel Vilardi (born August 16, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected eleventh overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has been active in the NHL since 2018. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing about 203 pounds, Vilardi is known for his offensive skill set, vision, and versatility as a playmaker.
After beginning his career with the Kings organization, Vilardi was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 2023 and quickly became a steady contributor in the Jets’ top-six forward group. In July 2025, he signed a six-year, $45 million contract to remain in Winnipeg, cementing his role as a core piece of the franchise’s long-term plans.
Early Life and Background
Gabriel Vilardi was born on August 16, 1999, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He is the son of Natale Vilardi and Giovanna Siviglia, both of whom moved to Kingston from Reggio Calabria, Italy. Growing up in a close Italian-Canadian household gave Vilardi a strong family foundation that helped shape his early dedication to hockey.
Vilardi’s older brother, Francesco, also pursued competitive hockey, playing three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and three seasons with the Queen’s University hockey team. Watching his brother progress through competitive levels provided Gabriel with a clear roadmap and fueled his own drive to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Path to Professional Hockey
Vilardi’s climb to the NHL began in the Ontario Hockey League, where he was selected second overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. Although he is a natural centre, he primarily played winger during his time in Windsor, a positional adjustment that showcased his adaptability and hockey sense.
Entering the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Vilardi was widely regarded as a top prospect. NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him the No. 4 North American skater, and TSN’s Craig Button described him as a big, strong centre with significant offensive upside. That blend of size, skill, and hockey IQ convinced the Los Angeles Kings to select him eleventh overall.
Gabriel Vilardi Career
Junior and Early Professional Years (2015–2020)
On January 1, 2018, Vilardi was traded from the Windsor Spitfires to the Kingston Frontenacs in a deal that sent Cody Morgan and six draft picks the other way. Two months later, on March 1, 2018, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings, formally launching his professional career.
A chronic back issue delayed his professional debut with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, until November 29, 2018. He earned his first professional point three days later against the Tucson Roadrunners. After recovering, Vilardi played 32 games for the Reign in 2019–20, recording 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points, demonstrating the offensive consistency that had defined his junior career.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2020–2023)
Vilardi made his NHL debut on February 20, 2020, against the Florida Panthers after being recalled from Ontario. In a remarkable first shift, he scored on his very first shot, firing a wrist shot past Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky just 6 seconds into the game and setting an NHL record for the fastest first career goal. He later added an assist on a Martin Frk goal in the same contest, capping one of the most memorable debuts in league history.
As a restricted free agent, Vilardi signed a one-year, $825,000 contract extension with the Kings on July 23, 2022. Across his time in Los Angeles, he continued to develop into a dependable two-way forward, though injuries limited his consistency. On June 27, 2023, the Kings traded Vilardi, along with Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, and a 2024 second-round draft pick, to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois, opening a new chapter in his career.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2023–Present)
Vilardi quickly found his footing in Winnipeg, becoming a regular contributor in the Jets’ top-six forward rotation. On April 4, 2024, he recorded his first career NHL hat trick in a 5-2 home win over the Calgary Flames, signaling his growing offensive confidence in a Jets sweater. His combination of playmaking and net-front presence made him a valuable piece of the team’s forward core.
On July 18, 2025, Vilardi signed a six-year, $45 million contract extension to remain with the Winnipeg Jets, a deal that begins in 2025 and runs through the 2030-31 season. The agreement reflects his importance to the franchise and provides long-term stability as the Jets continue building around their established core.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vilardi is widely regarded as a cerebral, offensively gifted forward who excels as a playmaker. His 6-foot-3 frame allows him to protect the puck along the boards and win battles in front of the net, while his soft hands and vision make him a threat on the cycle and on the power play. Coaches value his two-way responsibility and his composure in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Vilardi’s most iconic moment came on February 20, 2020, when he scored 6 seconds into his NHL debut against the Florida Panthers, setting an NHL record for the fastest first career goal. He added his first NHL hat trick on April 4, 2024, against the Calgary Flames, and his 2025 long-term extension with the Jets marked another major milestone in his young career.
Gabriel Vilardi Career Wins
Gabriel Vilardi’s career highlights to date include his record-setting NHL debut goal, his first NHL hat trick, and a long-term contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets. While team championship hardware has not yet been secured, his individual milestones reflect a forward whose role has steadily grown at every level of professional hockey.
Junior and AHL Highlights
In the Ontario Hockey League, Vilardi was a top point producer with the Windsor Spitfires and later the Kingston Frontenacs, helping pave his path to the 2017 NHL Draft. With the Ontario Reign in 2019–20, he posted 25 points in 32 games, a strong foundation before his NHL breakthrough.
NHL Milestones
Vilardi’s NHL resume features a record-breaking debut goal, his first hat trick against Calgary in 2024, and a six-year contract extension signed in July 2025. Each milestone illustrates a player trending upward as he enters the prime years of his career.
Gabriel Vilardi Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Vilardi was raised in Kingston, Ontario, by his parents Natale Vilardi and Giovanna Siviglia, both of whom emigrated from Reggio Calabria, Italy. His older brother Francesco played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and three seasons for the Queen’s University hockey team, giving the Vilardi household a deep connection to competitive Canadian hockey.
Personal Life
Vilardi continues to make his home in Canada, where he has built his professional hockey career since 2018. Public details about his personal relationships remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Vilardi was firmly entrenched in the Winnipeg Jets’ top-six forward group and coming off his first NHL hat trick the previous April. His July 2025 contract extension signaled both his value to the franchise and the organization’s confidence in his continued growth as a core offensive contributor.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Vilardi was relied upon as a steady two-way presence and a key playmaker on the Jets’ power play. His combination of size, skill, and experience allowed him to log important minutes in all situations, helping anchor Winnipeg’s forward depth.
With a long-term contract in place through 2031 and his role within the Jets firmly established, Vilardi’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond centers on remaining healthy, producing offensively, and helping push Winnipeg deeper into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.