Kevin Gravel Bio
Kevin Gravel (born March 6, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 210 pounds, he is known for his steady defensive play and reliable puck-moving ability. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round, 148th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and has since built a steady professional career across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Gravel was born on March 6, 1992, in Kingsford, Michigan, a small Upper Peninsula community with a strong hockey tradition. Growing up in this region of the United States, he developed his early interest in the sport on local rinks, where the long winters naturally encouraged year-round play. His family background includes a clear connection to college hockey, as his father was a former alumnus of St. Cloud State University.
That family tie to St. Cloud State later shaped Gravel’s development path and his decision to pursue collegiate hockey in the upper Midwest. The combination of his hometown roots and his father’s college experience gave him both a strong work ethic and a clear roadmap for advancement. He progressed through youth and junior systems while balancing his academic responsibilities.
Path to Hockey
Gravel began his junior hockey career at the Tier II level with the Marquette Rangers of the North American Hockey League. During that time, he committed to play for St. Cloud State University, his father’s alma mater, a decision that reflected both his family ties and his confidence in the university’s hockey program. He then advanced to Tier I junior hockey with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League for the 2009–10 season.
With the Musketeers, Gravel earned selection to the USHL All-Star Game and was invited to the World Junior A Challenge, marking him as one of the top young defencemen in the league. Following this success, he spent four seasons with the St. Cloud State University Huskies men’s ice hockey program. He was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team in both 2012 and 2013, showing a balance of athletic and academic performance. He also helped the Huskies qualify for the 2013 Frozen Four and win an NCAA regional title game in 2014.
Kevin Gravel Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
After completing his senior season at St. Cloud State, Gravel signed an amateur try-out contract with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL to finish the 2013–14 season. On August 4, 2014, he continued within the Los Angeles Kings organization by agreeing to a one-year AHL contract with the Monarchs, who served as the Kings’ top affiliate at that time. In his first full professional season of 2014–15, Gravel established himself on the blueline and contributed to the Monarchs’ first Calder Cup Championship in the franchise’s final AHL season.
His performance during that championship run convinced the Kings of his readiness for an NHL deal. On July 2, 2015, the Los Angeles Kings signed Gravel to a two-year entry-level contract, setting the stage for his transition to the highest level of professional hockey.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2015–2018)
To begin the 2015–16 season, Gravel was reassigned to the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ new AHL affiliate. After 42 games with the Reign, he received his first NHL recall to the Kings on February 11, 2016, marking a major milestone in his professional career. The following season, on February 23, 2017, Gravel recorded his first NHL goal in a game against the Boston Bruins, a memorable moment in his development as an NHL defenceman.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2018–2019)
During the summer before the 2017–18 season, Gravel was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. He lost around 40 pounds, was hospitalized, and missed more than a month of training, a difficult stretch that tested his resilience. On July 1, 2018, he signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers. After attending the Oilers’ 2018 training camp, Gravel began the 2018–19 season with AHL affiliate the Bakersfield Condors, recording one assist in five games before being recalled by the Oilers. He remained with the club for the rest of the year, contributing three assists in 36 NHL games.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2019–2020)
As a free agent from the Oilers, Gravel agreed to a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 24, 2019. He made three appearances with the Maple Leafs during an injury-plagued 2019–20 season, featuring more prominently with AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies, where he recorded three points in 23 regular-season games.
Calgary Flames Era (2021–2022)
After a return to the Bakersfield Condors on January 26, 2021, during the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Gravel signed as a free agent with the Calgary Flames on July 28, 2021, securing a one-year, two-way contract. His time with the Flames organization restored his presence at the NHL level.
Nashville Predators Era (2022–Present)
Following the conclusion of his contract with the Flames, Gravel signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 13, 2022. He has since been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators’ AHL affiliate, where he continues to play a reliable defensive role while remaining under NHL contract.
Playing Style and Strengths
Gravel is regarded as a steady, positionally responsible defenceman who uses his 6-foot-4 frame effectively in his own zone. He is known for his calm puck movement, reliable gap control, and willingness to block shots. His ability to log penalty-kill minutes and contribute at both the AHL and NHL levels has made him a valuable depth piece for multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gravel’s career highlights are his selection to the USHL All-Star Game, his participation in the 2013 Frozen Four, the Manchester Monarchs’ 2015 Calder Cup Championship, and his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins on February 23, 2017. His comeback from a serious Crohn’s disease diagnosis and his subsequent return to NHL play also stands as one of the most notable personal milestones of his career.
Kevin Gravel Career Wins
Across his professional career, Kevin Gravel has collected several notable team and individual achievements, beginning with the Manchester Monarchs’ Calder Cup Championship in 2015. His career also includes multiple appearances at the NHL level with four different franchises, as well as consistent contributions at the AHL level with several affiliates.
NHL and AHL Highlights
Gravel’s NHL stops have included the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames, while his AHL résumé features the Manchester Monarchs, Ontario Reign, Bakersfield Condors, Toronto Marlies, and Milwaukee Admirals. The 2015 Calder Cup with the Monarchs remains his most celebrated team victory, and his first NHL goal in 2017 stands as a key individual highlight.
Kevin Gravel Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Kevin Gravel’s connection to the sport is reinforced by his family’s history with St. Cloud State University, where his father studied and played. That family link directly influenced Gravel’s choice of college and helped shape his path through the United States Hockey League and into the NCAA ranks.
Personal Life
Kevin Gravel was born and raised in Kingsford, Michigan, and continues to pursue his professional hockey career in the American Hockey League and National Hockey League systems. Public details about his personal relationships are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Kevin Gravel remains under contract with the Nashville Predators and continues to play for the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL. His role within the Predators organization provides experienced defensive depth and veteran presence at the minor-league level. As the season unfolds, he is positioned to contribute steady minutes with the Admirals while remaining a potential recall option for Nashville.
His continued presence on an NHL contract reflects the trust multiple organizations have placed in his defensive reliability. Looking ahead, Gravel’s outlook for 2025 centers on maintaining his role with the Admirals and being ready if injuries or performance needs call him back to the NHL roster.