Rem Pitlick Bio
Rem Pitlick (born April 2, 1997) is a Canadian-born American professional ice hockey center who is currently under contract with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL). Selected in the third round, 76th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Pitlick has spent his professional career moving between the NHL and the AHL, suiting up for the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, and Chicago Blackhawks in addition to the Predators organization.
A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, Pitlick comes from a strong hockey lineage and has built a reputation as a reliable two-way forward. His journey from junior hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL) to college stardom at the University of Minnesota and onto professional rosters reflects a steady climb through every level of the North American game.
Early Life and Background
Rem Pitlick was born on April 2, 1997, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, while his father, Lance Pitlick, was a member of the Ottawa Senators. The family moved to the United States during his childhood, and Pitlick grew up as a dual citizen of both countries. His mother, Lisa Pitlick, is a former athlete who attended the University of Minnesota and competed on Team USA’s gymnastics team, giving Rem a household rooted in competitive sport.
Hockey was a constant in the Pitlick household. His younger brother, Rhett Pitlick, was also drafted into professional hockey, selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Rhett played collegiate hockey for the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Mavericks and attended Chaska High School, continuing the family’s presence in the sport. Rem’s cousin, Tyler Pitlick, is also an NHL player, currently skating for the Minnesota Wild.
Path to Hockey
Pitlick began his competitive junior career in the United States Hockey League, joining the Waterloo Black Hawks for the 2014–15 season. After that campaign, he was traded to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in exchange for a first and tenth round pick in the USHL draft. The move proved transformative for his development as an offensive player.
During the 2015–16 season with the Lumberjacks, Pitlick set a new franchise record for most points in a single season. His outstanding play earned him the USHL Player of the Year award, the USHL Forward of the Year award, First Team All-USHL honors, and the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award. On the international stage, he represented Team USA at the 2015 World Junior A Challenge. In August 2013, Pitlick had committed to play Division I college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and following his record-setting USHL campaign, he announced he would leave juniors early to join the Golden Gophers for the 2016–17 season.
Rem Pitlick Career
University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (2016–2019)
Pitlick enrolled at the University of Minnesota and immediately became a contributor for the Golden Gophers. In his freshman season, he played in 36 games and recorded 32 points, scoring his first collegiate goal on October 7, 2016, in a 6–0 win over the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. His performance earned him a selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
As a sophomore, Pitlick appeared in 38 games and tallied 31 points, including an eight-game point streak between October 27 and November 18. That season he was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten team. In his junior year, he set a new career high with 45 points in 38 games, was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week after recording five points in a weekend series against the Michigan Wolverines, and was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. He was selected to the All-Big Ten First Team and, on March 12, became the 65th player in Minnesota history to earn AHCA First-Team All-American honors.
Nashville Predators Era (2019–2021)
After concluding his collegiate career, Pitlick signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators on March 22, 2019. He made his NHL debut on March 25 against the Minnesota Wild. For the 2019–20 season, he was assigned to the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, where he appeared in 63 games and scored 20 goals and 36 points before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the Milwaukee Admirals opted out of the 2020–21 AHL season, Pitlick was assigned to the Chicago Wolves to begin the year. He posted eight goals and ten points in eight games and was named the AHL Player of the Month for February 2020. Recalled by Nashville in March 2021, he made his NHL season debut on March 7 in a 4–3 victory over the Dallas Stars and competed for a bottom-six role alongside Tanner Jeannot, Yakov Trenin, and Mathieu Olivier. He registered his first two NHL points with assists on goals by Colton Sissons and Mikael Granlund during a 7–2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 13, finishing his stint with two points in ten games.
Minnesota Wild Era (2021–2022)
Following the Predators’ 2021 training camp, Pitlick was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Wild on October 6. He made his Wild debut on October 26, assisting on Matt Dumba’s game-winning goal in the third period of a 3–2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. In just his fifth game with Minnesota, on November 13, Pitlick scored his first three NHL goals with a natural hat trick against goaltender Philipp Grubauer, sealing a 4–2 victory over the Seattle Kraken. He played 20 games for the Wild, finishing with six goals and 11 points before being placed on waivers on January 11, 2022.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2022–2023)
Pitlick was claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens on January 11, 2022, and debuted two days later in a 3–2 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored his first Canadiens goal on January 17, taking a pass from Jonathan Drouin to beat Karel Vejmelka of the Arizona Coyotes. Arriving in the middle of a difficult season for Montreal, he registered six points in his first seven games and nearly doubled his average ice time compared to his stint in Minnesota. He ended the year with nine goals and 17 assists for 27 points in a Canadiens sweater.
After testing free agency, Pitlick re-signed with Montreal on a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension on July 16. A crowded forward group limited his playing time early in the next season, and on November 7 he was placed on waivers. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to the AHL’s Laval Rocket, later returning for brief NHL stints. In a memorable matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 21, 2023, Pitlick scored in overtime during three-on-three play to give Montreal the win. He finished with five goals and 22 points in 18 games with Laval and six goals and 15 points in 46 games with Montreal.
Pittsburgh Penguins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (2023–2024)
On August 6, 2023, Pitlick was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a three-team deal also involving the San Jose Sharks. After failing to make the Penguins’ roster out of training camp, he cleared waivers and was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on October 5. He played 32 games for the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, recording eight goals and 24 points.
Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs (2024)
Pitlick was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on January 6, 2024, in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. He debuted on January 9 in a 2–1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, skating on the first line with Philipp Kurashev and Taylor Raddysh. After appearing in nine scoreless games, he was placed on waivers by Chicago on February 14 and, after going unclaimed, was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs. He appeared in 27 games for Rockford, scoring 14 goals and 33 points. He departed the organization as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
San Jose Barracuda and Bakersfield Condors (2025)
As an unsigned free agent well into the midpoint of the 2024–25 season, Pitlick signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda on February 5, 2025. He played out the remainder of the season with the Barracuda, posting 13 points in 18 appearances. On June 25, 2025, he signed a one-year AHL contract with the Bakersfield Condors to join his younger brother Rhett, before being traded to the Rockford IceHogs on December 14 in exchange for Tyson Feist, marking his second stint within the Blackhawks’ organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pitlick’s natural hat trick against the Seattle Kraken on November 13, 2021, stands as one of the signature moments of his NHL career, accomplished in only his fifth game with the Minnesota Wild. His overtime winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 21, 2023, and his record-setting USHL campaign with the Muskegon Lumberjacks also highlight a career marked by timely scoring performances.
Rem Pitlick Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Pitlick family. Rem’s father, Lance Pitlick, played in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, and Rem was born in Ottawa while Lance was a member of the Senators. His mother, Lisa, is a former University of Minnesota gymnast who represented Team USA in international competition.
Personal Life
Pitlick is the older brother of Rhett Pitlick, a professional hockey player drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2019 who has played at the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and in the AHL. His cousin, Tyler Pitlick, is also an active NHL player currently with the Minnesota Wild. Pitlick holds dual Canadian and American citizenship, having been born in Ottawa and raised in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
Rem Pitlick began the 2024–25 season as an unsigned free agent after departing the Chicago Blackhawks organization. His lengthy wait ended on February 5, 2025, when he signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda. He produced 13 points in 18 regular-season games for the Barracuda, providing a reminder of his offensive capability at the AHL level.
On June 25, 2025, Pitlick signed a one-year AHL deal with the Bakersfield Condors, joining his younger brother Rhett in the Edmonton Oilers’ system. His time with Bakersfield was cut short on December 14, when the Condors traded him to the Rockford IceHogs in exchange for defenseman Tyson Feist, returning Pitlick to the Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate for a second stint. Pitlick’s 2025 campaign has been defined by perseverance, an AHL scoring touch, and continued movement between organizations.