Nathan Bastian Bio
Nathan Bastian is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 6, 1997, in Kitchener, Ontario, he was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 41st overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Before joining Dallas, Bastian played for the New Jersey Devils and the Seattle Kraken, building a reputation as a physical, hard-working forward.
Standing 193 cm tall and listed at 98 kg, Bastian has spent most of his NHL career as a bottom-six winger known for his energy, willingness to drop the gloves, and forechecking responsibility. He signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars in August 2025, continuing his career in the Western Conference after multiple seasons in the Eastern Conference and one year with the Kraken.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Bastian was born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario, a city in southwestern Canada with a deep hockey tradition. Growing up in the region, he was introduced to organized hockey at a young age and developed through local minor hockey programs. Kitchener’s strong junior hockey culture gave him early exposure to high-level competition and helped shape his path toward the Ontario Hockey League.
Before reaching the major junior ranks, Bastian played at the midget level with the Brantford Jr. B Stars in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. His play at that level drew the attention of OHL scouts, and he was selected 127th overall in the 2013 OHL Priority Draft by the Mississauga Steelheads. That selection set the stage for his move into one of Canada’s top development leagues.
Path to Hockey
Bastian joined the Mississauga Steelheads during the 2013–14 OHL season, appearing in 21 games and contributing 2 goals while adjusting to the pace and physicality of major junior hockey. Over the following seasons, he grew into a power forward role with the Steelheads, using his size and skating to become a noticeable presence in the OHL.
His development in Mississauga eventually caught the attention of NHL scouts, and in 2016 he was drafted in the second round, 41st overall, by the New Jersey Devils. Shortly after the draft, on October 20, 2016, Bastian signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the organization, beginning his professional career. He spent time in the American Hockey League with the Binghamton Devils to refine his game before earning his first NHL opportunity.
Nathan Bastian Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After signing his entry-level deal, Bastian began his professional career in the AHL with the Binghamton Devils, New Jersey’s top affiliate. He appeared in 43 games during the 2018–19 season, working on the two-way game required to earn a full-time NHL role. His size and physical style made him a candidate for a brief promotion to the parent club.
On January 19, 2019, Bastian received his first recall to the New Jersey Devils and made his NHL debut that same night at the Prudential Center. In a 3–2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, he dropped the gloves for his first NHL fight against Josh Manson, signaling the role he would embrace at the next level. After the All-Star break, he was returned to the AHL, but his first NHL goal came soon after, on February 25, 2019, in a 2–1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
New Jersey Devils Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Bastian spent the next several seasons shuttling between New Jersey and Binghamton, gradually earning a more consistent role with the Devils. He appeared in multiple NHL campaigns with the club, providing energy on the fourth line, killing penalties, and serving as one of the team’s more frequent fighters. His willingness to engage physically gave the Devils a toughness element in their bottom six.
On June 15, 2021, Bastian was re-signed to a two-year contract by the Devils, a sign that the organization viewed him as part of its longer-term plans. However, his time in New Jersey was about to take an unexpected turn when the NHL welcomed its 32nd franchise.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021–2023)
On July 21, 2021, Bastian was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, ending his run with the Devils. He made the Kraken’s opening roster for the 2021–22 season and settled into a fourth-line role, bringing a physical edge to the expansion club. In 12 games with Seattle, he scored his lone goal for the team in a 5–4 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on November 6, 2021.
His stint in Seattle was brief. After being made a healthy scratch and then placed on waivers, Bastian was claimed off waivers by the New Jersey Devils on November 25, 2021, returning to the organization that had originally drafted him. He went on to appear in subsequent NHL playoff action with the Devils, scoring his first career NHL playoff goal on May 3, 2023, in a 5–1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Dallas Stars Era (2025–Present)
On July 1, 2023, Bastian signed a two-year, $2.7 million contract to remain with the Devils, but injuries and lineup changes reduced his role in 2023–24. On February 22, 2024, he left a game against the New York Rangers after two periods due to injury and was placed on injured reserve the following day, limiting his late-season contributions.
As a free agent, Bastian departed the Devils and signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Dallas Stars for the 2025–26 season on August 9, 2025. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in the Western Conference and a chance to compete for a depth role on a contending Stars roster. His combination of size, penalty killing, and physicality made him a fit for Dallas’s identity.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the ice, Bastian is recognized as a straight-line power forward who thrives in a north-south game. He is comfortable playing along the boards, winning battles on the wall, and providing a physical presence in front of the net. Coaches have generally used him in a fourth-line role, where his forechecking, penalty killing, and willingness to drop the gloves are valued as much as his offensive production.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the defining moments of Bastian’s career include his first NHL fight against Josh Manson in his debut on January 19, 2019, his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens on February 25, 2019, and his first NHL playoff goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on May 3, 2023. Being selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft and later returning to the Devils on waivers marked another notable chapter in his journey.
Nathan Bastian Career Wins
Nathan Bastian’s career has been defined more by his role as a physical, two-way winger than by goal-scoring totals. While he is not primarily known as an offensive producer, he has recorded key goals at important moments, including his first NHL regular-season goal and his first NHL playoff goal. The sections below summarize his highlights across the leagues in which he has played.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Bastian has appeared for the New Jersey Devils, the Seattle Kraken, and the Dallas Stars. His first NHL goal came on February 25, 2019, in a 2–1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, while his first playoff goal arrived on May 3, 2023, against the Carolina Hurricanes. With Seattle, he scored a single goal in 12 appearances during the 2021–22 season before returning to New Jersey.
Nathan Bastian Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Nathan Bastian’s parents and broader family background is limited, and detailed family details are not part of the verified record used for this profile.
Personal Life
Information about Nathan Bastian’s marital status, spouse, and children is not publicly confirmed in the verified sources used for this profile. He was born in Kitchener, Ontario, and grew up in the Canadian hockey system that produced many NHL players.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season marks a new chapter for Nathan Bastian after he signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Dallas Stars on August 9, 2025. Joining a Stars team built around speed, structure, and two-way responsibility, Bastian is expected to slot into a bottom-six role where his physicality and penalty killing can be deployed. His veteran presence in the room adds another element to a Dallas locker room that has been built for deep playoff runs.
Early in the season, Bastian’s value to the Stars is tied more to his forechecking, board work, and willingness to defend than to point production. The Western Conference brings a new slate of rivals, including the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, and Colorado Avalanche, all of whom match the Stars’ physical and competitive style. If he can stay healthy and provide consistent fourth-line minutes, he gives Dallas a reliable energy option heading into the postseason.