Ryan Poehling Bio
Ryan Poehling is an American professional ice hockey player who plays the center position for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Lakeville, Minnesota, Poehling rose through the United States Hockey League and collegiate ranks at St. Cloud State University before being selected 25th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Across his professional career, he has also represented the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers, establishing himself as a dependable two-way forward at the NHL level.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Poehling was born on January 3, 1999, in Lakeville, Minnesota, where he grew up in a tight-knit family with deep ties to the sport of ice hockey. He attended Lakeville North High School and played two seasons for the school’s hockey program, developing the foundational skills that would eventually attract the attention of professional scouts.
Hockey runs strongly through the Poehling family. He has two older twin brothers, Nick and Jack, who also play ice hockey, and his uncle Stan Palmer played hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth and was drafted 177th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1977 NHL amateur draft. This multi-generational connection to the game provided Ryan with a competitive environment from a young age and shaped his understanding of what a professional hockey career required.
Path to Hockey
Following his sophomore season at Lakeville North High School, Poehling was selected first overall by the Lincoln Stars in the 2015 United States Hockey League draft. He joined the Stars during the 2015–16 season once his high school campaign had concluded, gaining valuable experience against older and more physically mature competition in one of the top junior leagues in the United States.
In May 2016, Poehling announced that he had graduated from high school early and signed a National Letter of Intent with St. Cloud State University for the 2016–17 season, a decision influenced in part by his brothers also committing to the program. In his freshman year with the St. Cloud State Huskies, he played 35 games and recorded 13 points while being named to the 2016–17 NCHC Academic All-Conference Team alongside his brothers. He was then chosen in the first round, 25th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 NHL entry draft, a milestone that confirmed his status as one of the top American prospects of his draft class.
Ryan Poehling Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Rather than turn professional immediately, Poehling returned to St. Cloud State for his sophomore and junior years to pursue a national championship. During his sophomore season in 2017–18, he notched 31 points in 36 games and helped the Huskies capture the Penrose Cup as NCHC regular season champions, scoring the game-winning goal in a 4–2 victory over the Denver Pioneers. He also participated in the Canadiens’ 2018 Development Camp before electing to return to college for one more year.
On the international stage, Poehling represented the United States at the 2018 World Junior Championships, scoring three points to help the Americans win a bronze medal. On December 31, 2018, he was named to the United States roster for the 2019 World Junior Championships, where he recorded a natural hat trick and one assist against Sweden to erase a 4–0 deficit and force overtime. Although the United States fell 3–2 to Finland in the gold medal game, Poehling was named tournament MVP and best forward, finishing with eight points in six games.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2019–2022)
On March 31, 2019, Poehling signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens and joined the team for the remainder of the 2018–19 season. His NHL debut on April 6, 2019, against the Toronto Maple Leafs became an instant Canadiens highlight, as Poehling scored a hat trick in the season-closing game — the first Canadiens player to achieve the feat since Alex Smart on January 14, 1943 — and added a shootout goal to seal the victory.
Poehling split the 2019–20 season between the Canadiens and their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, recording two points in 27 NHL games and 13 points in 36 AHL contests before the season was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the 2020–21 campaign primarily with the Laval Rocket, where he produced 25 points in 28 games, but a season-ending wrist injury requiring surgery on May 6, 2021, prevented him from joining Montreal during its run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
As a restricted free agent, Poehling signed a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens on August 27, 2021. After a strong performance during a midseason NHL recall, he was praised for a two-goal game against the Nashville Predators and continued to develop his two-way game within the organization.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2022–2023)
On July 16, 2022, Poehling was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with defenseman Jeff Petry in exchange for defenseman Mike Matheson and a 2023 fourth-round pick. In his only season with the Penguins, he served in a depth forward role during the 2022–23 campaign, recording seven goals and 14 points through 53 regular season games.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2023–2025)
Following his free agency from Pittsburgh, Poehling signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1, 2023, for the 2023–24 season. He later signed a two-year contract extension with the Flyers on January 27, 2024, cementing his role as a reliable middle-six center with the club.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2025–Present)
On June 23, 2025, Poehling was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, along with a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick, in exchange for Trevor Zegras. The move signaled a fresh chapter for Poehling as he joined a young Anaheim squad looking to build around its emerging core.
Notable Events and Milestones
Poehling’s most defining career moment remains his hat trick in his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a feat unmatched by a Canadiens player in more than seven decades. His MVP performance and natural hat trick at the 2019 World Junior Championships further cemented his reputation as a clutch performer on big stages.
Ryan Poehling Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Poehling’s brothers, Nick and Jack, both pursued collegiate hockey, with all three siblings eventually playing for St. Cloud State University. His uncle Stan Palmer further extended the family’s hockey pedigree, having played for the University of Minnesota Duluth and being drafted 177th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1977 NHL amateur draft, giving Ryan a direct connection to the organization that would later draft him.
2025 Season Performance
Ryan Poehling joined the Anaheim Ducks in late June 2025 after being acquired in a trade that sent Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia. The transaction positioned Poehling as a depth forward and special teams contributor for a Ducks team focused on long-term development, with the 2025–26 season offering him an opportunity to expand his role in a new system.
With his recent contract history — a one-year deal with the Flyers followed by a two-year extension — Poehling entered the season in a stable financial position and a clear role within Anaheim’s lineup. His track record as a responsible two-way center and his history of stepping up in high-pressure moments, including his debut hat trick and World Juniors MVP performance, give the Ducks a reliable option down the middle.
Looking ahead, Poehling’s blend of size, skating, and faceoff ability fits the identity Anaheim is building, and his continued growth could make him an important piece of the franchise’s resurgence in the coming seasons.