Spencer Stastney Bio
Spencer Charles Stastney (born January 4, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey at the University of Notre Dame before beginning his professional career with the Nashville Predators organization. Standing 183 centimeters tall and weighing 83 kilograms, Stastney developed into a reliable, two-way blueliner known for his shot-blocking ability and steady defensive play.
After spending the first years of his NHL career in the Nashville system, Stastney was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in December 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his professional journey. He continues to be recognized as a steady, positionally sound defenseman with offensive upside developed during a strong four-year run at Notre Dame.
Early Life and Background
Spencer Charles Stastney was born on January 4, 2000, in Mequon, Wisconsin, where he spent his earliest years attending local elementary and middle school. He later moved to Woodridge, Illinois, where he attended Bridgedale Academy, a program known for supporting student-athletes who balance rigorous academics with competitive hockey. This educational path helped him develop the discipline and time-management skills that would later define his approach to the game.
During his youth, Stastney played for the Chicago Mission of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, one of the top amateur development circuits in the United States. Competing against some of the strongest young players in the country allowed him to refine his defensive game and gain valuable exposure to high-level coaching. His performance with the Chicago Mission helped set the stage for his transition into the United States Hockey League and, eventually, NCAA Division I hockey.
Path to Hockey
Stastney’s path to professional hockey accelerated when he was selected in the fifth round, 131st overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Before that draft, he had already represented the United States at the 2018 World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal and four assists in seven games and won a silver medal. His international debut at the under-18 level gave him an early taste of high-stakes competition and confirmed his readiness for the next stage of his development.
After his draft year, Stastney enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, where he played four seasons of college hockey for the Fighting Irish. He also represented the United States junior team at the 2020 World Junior Championships, appearing in five games. These experiences at the collegiate and international levels helped him grow into the well-rounded defenseman that the Nashville Predators would eventually sign to his first professional contract.
Spencer Stastney Career
College Career at Notre Dame (2018–2022)
During his freshman year in 2018–19, Stastney recorded one goal and three assists in 39 games for Notre Dame. He notably led the Chicago Blackhawks onto the ice for the 2019 NHL Winter Classic and scored his first collegiate goal during the championship game of the 2019 Big Ten men’s ice hockey tournament. His strong playoff performance earned him a place on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
Across his four seasons with the Fighting Irish, Stastney continued to develop offensively while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. During his sophomore year he recorded three goals and 17 assists in 36 games, and as a junior he tied for the conference lead among defensemen with five goals. In his senior season he set career highs with seven goals and 20 assists in 39 games, ranking second on the team in scoring with 27 points and second in the Big Ten with 69 blocked shots. He finished his Notre Dame career with 16 goals and 47 assists in 143 games and was named the team’s Monogram Club MVP following his senior year.
Nashville Predators Era (2022–2025)
On March 31, 2022, Stastney signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators and joined the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. During his rookie professional season, he recorded five goals and eight assists in 56 AHL games and made his NHL debut for the Predators on April 1, 2023. That season he registered two points in eight NHL contests before being returned to the Admirals for the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs.
During the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, Stastney played a key role for Milwaukee, recording one goal and five assists in 16 games. In game five of the division semifinals, he scored the game-winning goal with 27 seconds remaining to help the Admirals advance to the Western Conference finals. After a mid-season recall on November 14, 2023, he appeared in 20 regular-season NHL games during 2023–24, recording two goals and two assists, and suited up for three scoreless games during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. On July 25, 2024, he signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension with the Predators.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2025–Present)
On December 12, 2025, the Nashville Predators traded Spencer Charles Stastney to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick. The move signaled a fresh opportunity for the young defenseman to contribute to a contending team in the Western Conference. Stastney joined an Edmonton roster built around elite offensive talent, bringing his defensive reliability, shot-blocking, and steady puck-moving skills to the blue line.
His transition into the Oilers system marked a step into a higher-profile environment, where he was expected to support Edmonton’s defensive rotation while continuing to develop his offensive instincts. With two seasons remaining on his contract, Stastney entered the Edmonton chapter focused on earning a regular spot and contributing to the team’s pursuit of playoff success.
Playing Style and Strengths
Stastney is recognized as a dependable, positionally sound defenseman who excels at shot-blocking and limiting scoring chances against. His college production demonstrated an ability to contribute offensively from the back end, particularly in his senior season at Notre Dame. He pairs a steady defensive presence with reliable puck distribution, making him a strong fit in a system that values responsible two-way play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Stastney’s standout moments are his game-winning goal with 27 seconds remaining in game five of the 2023 Calder Cup division semifinals and his NHL debut on April 1, 2023, with the Nashville Predators. He also takes pride in leading the Chicago Blackhawks onto the ice for the 2019 NHL Winter Classic and earning a silver medal with the United States at the 2018 World U18 Championships.
Spencer Stastney Family
Personal Life
Public details about Spencer Charles Stastney’s family and personal life are limited. He was raised in Mequon, Wisconsin, before moving to Woodridge, Illinois, where he attended Bridgedale Academy as a student-athlete. His early education and youth hockey development reflect a family background that prioritized both academics and competitive sports.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was a pivotal one for Spencer Charles Stastney. He began the season within the Nashville Predators organization after signing a two-year contract extension in July 2024. Through the opening months of the campaign, he continued to cycle between the NHL roster and the Milwaukee Admirals, working to establish himself as a consistent everyday presence on the Predators’ blue line.
On December 12, 2025, his season took a dramatic turn when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2027 third-round pick. Joining a Stanley Cup contender midway through the year provided Stastney with a new opportunity to compete at the highest level alongside some of the league’s top players. The move positioned him for a fresh start and a larger role on a roster with deep playoff aspirations.
Looking ahead, Stastney entered the back half of the 2025 campaign focused on solidifying his spot in Edmonton’s defensive rotation and contributing to the team’s push toward the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. His combination of size, skating, and shot-blocking, paired with offensive instincts refined at Notre Dame, made him an intriguing depth piece for the Oilers’ blue line.