Rocco Grimaldi Bio
Rocco Niccolas Grimaldi (born February 8, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Selected 33rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Grimaldi has spent more than a decade competing at professional levels in North America before moving abroad. Despite standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, he has built a reputation as a skilled scorer and crafty playmaker.
Over the course of his career, Grimaldi has suited up for organizations including the Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and Anaheim Ducks at the NHL level, while also producing significant offense in the American Hockey League (AHL). He is a born-again Christian and a United States citizen, and he married Abigail (Abby) Mattson in July 2016.
Early Life and Background
Rocco Niccolas Grimaldi was born on February 8, 1993, in Anaheim, California, and grew up in nearby Rossmoor. At the age of five, he was introduced to roller hockey, and the sport immediately captured his attention. He later recalled that the action looked more exciting than baseball or basketball, and the experience set him on a path toward organized competition.
Grimaldi’s father served as a police officer in California, while his mother worked as the team manager for the Little Caesars AAA Hockey club. Their support played a key role in his early development. In 2005, Grimaldi and members of his family relocated from Rossmoor to Michigan so that he could face a higher level of competition.
As a youth player, Grimaldi competed in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 2004 and 2005 with the California Wave, and again in 2006 with the Detroit Little Caesars. These experiences helped him sharpen his skills and gain visibility among scouts.
Path to Hockey
Grimaldi’s journey toward the professional ranks began with a strong minor hockey career. During the 2008–09 season, he played AAA hockey for Detroit Little Caesars and tallied 43 points on 17 goals and 26 assists in 31 games. That production drew the attention of USA Hockey’s development staff.
He then spent two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, competing against junior teams in the United States Hockey League. In 2009–10, he led the United States Under-17 national team in scoring with 40 points in 36 games. The following year, he led Team USA in scoring with 34 goals and 28 assists in 50 games, finishing the 2010–11 campaign as one of the top American prospects heading into the NHL Draft.
Despite concerns about his 5-foot-6 frame, Grimaldi embraced the questions about his size, noting that he found the attention fun. The 2011–12 Hockey Prospectus ranked him as the 36th-best prospect, citing his intangibles and physical ability as reasons he could overcome his stature.
Rocco Grimaldi Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Following his draft year, Grimaldi committed to the University of North Dakota and skated in his freshman season for the Fighting Hawks in 2011–12. He developed his game at the collegiate level while continuing to earn international recognition, including a gold medal with the United States at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
On May 7, 2014, Grimaldi signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. He began the 2014–15 season with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, before receiving his first NHL recall on November 1, 2014. He made his NHL debut the following day in a 2–1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Florida Panthers Breakthrough (2014–2016)
Grimaldi’s first NHL stint with the Panthers included a memorable day on November 18, 2014, when he played two professional games in a single calendar day. He skated in a morning matinee with the Rampage and then joined the Panthers for an evening West Coast game against a West Coast opponent, completing the unusual doubleheader across two leagues.
He spent parts of two seasons with the Panthers organization, splitting time between San Antonio and Florida. On June 23, 2016, the Panthers traded Grimaldi to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for goaltender Reto Berra, ending his first NHL chapter.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2016–2018)
After attending training camp with the Avalanche, Grimaldi was reassigned to the San Antonio Rampage to begin the 2016–17 season. After 19 games, he was leading the Rampage in scoring with 15 points when he received his first recall to Colorado on December 2, 2016. He made his Avalanche debut the following night in a 3–0 loss to the Dallas Stars before being returned to the AHL.
The Avalanche re-signed Grimaldi to a one-year, two-way contract on July 26, 2017. In 2017–18, he spent most of the year with the Rampage, recording 31 points in 49 games. He appeared in six NHL games with Colorado, posting a goal and two assists, and recorded his second career two-point game on October 28, 2017, against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Nashville Predators Era (2018–2022)
As a Group IV free agent, Grimaldi signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2018. He earned a full-time NHL role and on February 24, 2020, signed a two-year contract extension with the club.
On March 25, 2021, Grimaldi delivered the most memorable performance of his NHL career. Playing at home against the Detroit Red Wings, he scored three goals in the first period to record his first career hat trick, setting a Predators franchise record for the fastest hat trick at 2 minutes and 34 seconds. He later added a fourth goal in the third period, becoming only the second player in Predators history to score four goals in a single game, joining Eric Nystrom.
Anaheim Ducks and AHL Journey (2022–2025)
Following the expiration of his contract with Nashville, Grimaldi went unsigned over the summer of 2022. He accepted a professional tryout with the Anaheim Ducks and, after a strong preseason, was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls on October 15, 2022. He led the Gulls in scoring with 27 goals and 56 points in 54 games before being traded to the Rockford IceHogs on March 2, 2023.
He posted his most productive professional season with the Chicago Wolves in 2023–24, collecting 36 goals and 73 points in 72 games. Unable to secure an NHL contract for 2024–25, he agreed to a professional tryout with the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, on October 11, 2024. He tallied 17 goals and 58 points in 65 regular-season games and helped Cleveland qualify for the postseason.
SKA Saint Petersburg Era (2025–Present)
After 11 professional seasons in North America, Grimaldi signed a two-year contract with Russian club SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL on August 13, 2025. The move marked his first career stint outside North America and brought his offensive skill set to one of Europe’s top professional leagues.
Driving Style and Strengths
Grimaldi has built his career on speed, quickness, and offensive instincts rather than physical stature. He excels as a shooter and playmaker, and his ability to generate offense at the AHL level has been consistent throughout his career. Coaches have praised his competitiveness and his willingness to play through the physical demands of professional hockey despite his smaller frame.
Notable Events and Milestones
Grimaldi’s standout moments include his record-setting hat trick with the Nashville Predators in March 2021 and his four-goal performance against the Detroit Red Wings in the same game. He also helped the United States win gold at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, scoring the championship-winning goal against Sweden. In 2023, he led the 2023 IIHF World Championship in scoring and was named to the Media All-Star Team.
Rocco Grimaldi Career Wins
Grimaldi’s win totals vary by league and season, with the most complete picture available at the AHL level. He has consistently served as an offensive contributor for every team he has joined, even when used in a limited NHL role.
NHL Highlights
Grimaldi’s most celebrated NHL moment came on March 25, 2021, when he scored four goals against the Detroit Red Wings, including a record-setting first-period hat trick. The performance remains one of the most explosive single-game outputs in Nashville Predators history. He has appeared in NHL games with the Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and Anaheim Ducks.
Other Wins and Performances
At the AHL level, Grimaldi produced a career-best 36 goals and 73 points in 72 games with the Chicago Wolves in 2023–24. He also led the Cleveland Monsters in scoring in 2024–25. Internationally, he won gold with the United States at the 2010 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and he finished as the leading scorer at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
Rocco Grimaldi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rocco Niccolas Grimaldi was raised in a supportive family that encouraged his athletic development. His father served as a police officer in California, and his mother managed the Little Caesars AAA Hockey club, a role that gave the family direct ties to competitive youth hockey. In 2005, the family relocated from Rossmoor, California, to Michigan so that Rocco could face stronger competition.
Personal Life
Grimaldi is a devout born-again Christian. In July 2016, he married Abigail (Abby) Mattson. The couple has been based in various cities throughout his professional career, including stops in Florida, Colorado, Tennessee, and California, and most recently in Russia following his signing with SKA Saint Petersburg.
2025 Season Performance
Grimaldi opened 2025 still in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters, where he continued to produce offensively with 17 goals and 58 points in 65 regular-season games. His consistency helped Cleveland reach the postseason, even as NHL opportunities remained limited.
On August 13, 2025, Grimaldi signed a two-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, signaling a clear shift to top-tier European competition. The move offered him a larger role and a chance to compete for a KHL championship, a stage where his scoring touch could translate into team success.
Looking ahead through the rest of 2025 and into 2026, Grimaldi is expected to be a key offensive contributor for SKA Saint Petersburg. His track record as a proven scorer at every North American level, combined with his international experience, positions him as a player to watch in the KHL.