Sam Colangelo Bio
Samuel Michael Colangelo, born on December 26, 2001, is an American professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 188 centimeters tall and weighing around 97 kilograms, the right-shot forward was selected by the Ducks in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2020 NHL entry draft. After a productive college career in the NCAA, Colangelo signed with the Ducks organization and made his NHL debut during the closing stretch of the 2023-24 season.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Michael Colangelo was born on December 26, 2001, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, a small town located north of Boston. He grew up in a close-knit family alongside an older brother named Michael, who also played hockey at a competitive level. The New England region provided a strong hockey culture, and Colangelo began developing his game on local rinks from a young age.
Colangelo attended Lawrence Academy, a preparatory school in Groton, Massachusetts, where he played for the school’s ice hockey program. During his time at Lawrence Academy, he posted impressive offensive numbers, recording 34 goals and 70 assists. Those totals helped establish him as a prospect worth tracking before he entered the junior hockey ranks.
Path to Hockey
Following his development at Lawrence Academy, Colangelo joined the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL), one of the top junior circuits in North America. His first season with the Steel was a learning experience, as he scored just three goals. The following season, however, he broke out offensively, tallying 28 goals and 30 assists while skating alongside fellow prospect Brendan Brisson.
Colangelo opted to pursue the NHL draft rather than major junior hockey, and his play with the Steel convinced scouts that he was ready for the next step. He was selected 36th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Shortly after being drafted, he committed to Northeastern University, located about 10 miles from his hometown of Stoneham, beginning his collegiate career close to home.
Sam Colangelo Career
Early Career at Northeastern (2020-2023)
Samuel Michael Colangelo played three seasons of collegiate hockey with the Northeastern Huskies, located in Boston. Playing in Hockey East, he worked to refine his two-way game and build the strength needed to compete at the professional level. He developed steadily during his time with the Huskies, contributing offensively while taking on increasingly difficult matchups.
Following his junior season, Colangelo entered the NCAA transfer portal and moved to the Western Michigan Broncos for the 2023-24 campaign. The change of scenery paid off immediately, as he scored a career-high 24 goals and added 19 assists for 43 points in just 38 games. His strong season earned him a spot on the All-NCHC Team alongside teammate Luke Grainger.
Professional Debut with the Anaheim Ducks (2023-24)
After completing his senior year with Western Michigan, Colangelo signed a professional try-out contract with the Anaheim Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, on April 2, 2024. Following four productive regular season games with the Gulls, the Ducks signed him to a two-year entry-level contract on April 12, 2024. He joined Anaheim’s NHL roster immediately to finish the 2023-24 season.
Colangelo made his NHL debut on April 13, 2024, against the Calgary Flames and scored his first career goal against goaltender Dustin Wolf in a 6-3 defeat. The goal marked the arrival of a player the Ducks had tracked since the 2020 draft and confirmed his readiness to contribute at the top level.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2024-Present)
Colangelo was assigned to the San Diego Gulls to begin the 2024-25 season, where he continued to adjust to the professional game. On November 18, 2024, he was recalled by the Ducks to replace the injured Mason McTavish. The following night, he made his season NHL debut on the fourth line in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on November 19, 2024.
Since being recalled, Colangelo has settled into a bottom-six role with the Ducks, providing physicality, forechecking, and occasional offensive contribution. His combination of size, skating, and work ethic has made him a trusted option for Anaheim’s coaching staff, and his trajectory suggests he will remain a regular part of the team’s forward group going forward.
Driving Style and Strengths
Colangelo plays a north-south, physical style that suits Anaheim’s identity as a rebuilding team. He is effective along the boards, wins battles on the forecheck, and brings size to the wing. His offensive instincts, refined during his college years, allow him to capitalize on chances around the net when paired with skilled linemates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Colangelo’s career include his 2020 NHL draft selection by the Anaheim Ducks, his 2021 World Junior gold medal with Team USA, his 2023-24 All-NCHC selection at Western Michigan, and his first NHL goal against the Calgary Flames on April 13, 2024. Each milestone has marked a steady progression from a junior prospect to an established NHL forward.
Sam Colangelo Career Wins
Samuel Michael Colangelo’s verified honors include a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he scored one goal during the tournament. He also earned All-NCHC Team honors during the 2023-24 season at Western Michigan, recognizing his 24-goal, 43-point campaign. His first NHL goal and entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks round out his list of verified achievements.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
During his second season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, Colangelo scored 28 goals and 30 assists, helping establish himself as an NHL draft prospect. At Lawrence Academy, he posted 34 goals and 70 assists in his high school career before entering the USHL. His 2023-24 breakout at Western Michigan, where he set career highs across the board, served as the foundation for his professional contract.
International Highlights
Colangelo represented the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He contributed one goal as Team USA captured the gold medal, an early career highlight for the young forward.
Sam Colangelo Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Samuel Michael Colangelo grew up in Stoneham, Massachusetts, alongside an older brother named Michael. The hockey-friendly region north of Boston shaped his early development, and the proximity of Northeastern University to his hometown played a role in his college choice. His family supported his athletic path throughout his junior and collegiate years.
Personal Life
Colangelo remains focused on his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks. Public details about his personal relationships are limited, and he has not publicly disclosed a spouse or partner. He continues to build his professional life in California after relocating from the Northeast.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 portion of the 2024-25 NHL season, Samuel Michael Colangelo is looking to establish himself as a consistent contributor for the Anaheim Ducks. After beginning the year with the San Diego Gulls, he was recalled in November 2024 and has since been rotating into Anaheim’s bottom-six forward group. The Ducks are in the middle of a multi-year rebuild, and Colangelo’s combination of size, work ethic, and offensive upside fits the organization’s long-term plans.
His recall to replace the injured Mason McTavish gave him an opportunity to show he belongs at the NHL level on a regular basis. Playing on the fourth line early in his stint, he has focused on earning the trust of Anaheim’s coaching staff through responsible defensive play and physical forechecking. As the season progresses, Colangelo will look to climb the lineup and contribute more offensively, similar to what he showed during his breakout year at Western Michigan.
Looking ahead, the remainder of the 2025 calendar offers Colangelo a chance to solidify his role with the Ducks and potentially earn an extension on his current two-year entry-level deal. With the NHL Trade Deadline and a deep playoff push on the horizon for several Western Conference teams, his performances over the coming months could shape his standing within the Anaheim organization. His early NHL production, combined with his pedigree as a former second-round pick, leaves room for continued growth in the seasons ahead.