Stefan Noesen Bio
Stefan Noesen is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on February 12, 1993, in Plano, Texas, he was drafted 21st overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2011 NHL Draft and has since built a steady career across several organizations in North America. Standing 185 centimeters tall and weighing 93 kilograms, Noesen is known for his size, work ethic, and willingness to play in all situations. Since beginning his professional career in 2013, he has appeared for the Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes before returning to the Devils in July 2024.
Early Life and Background
Stefan Noesen was raised in the Dallas suburbs of Texas, where he grew up playing youth ice hockey in a region not traditionally known for the sport. One of his childhood teammates was Blake Coleman, who would later become a teammate with the New Jersey Devils. His time in the Dallas area introduced him to the competitive side of the game at a young age and helped shape his early development as a forward.
At the age of 14, Noesen moved north to pursue higher-level competition and eventually joined the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of Canada’s top major junior leagues. The transition from Texas to Canadian junior hockey marked a major step in his growth as a player and prepared him for the NHL Draft. His performances with Plymouth earned him attention from scouts across the league.
Path to Hockey
Noesen’s development in the OHL with the Plymouth Whalers set the stage for his selection in the 2011 NHL Draft. The Ottawa Senators chose him 21st overall, using a first-round pick acquired from the Nashville Predators in a trade for forward Mike Fisher. Shortly after the draft, on December 29, 2011, he signed an entry-level contract with Ottawa, beginning his professional journey.
During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Noesen was invited to the Senators’ training camp but was returned to junior hockey on January 16, 2013, after failing to crack the NHL roster. He was also named to the Team USA roster for the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships but was ruled ineligible after the International Ice Hockey Federation honored a 10-game OHL suspension for a charging incident. These early experiences gave Noesen important lessons about the demands of professional hockey.
Stefan Noesen Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
On July 5, 2013, Noesen was traded to the Anaheim Ducks as part of a package that included forward Jakob Silfverberg and a first-round pick in the 2014 draft, with Bobby Ryan going to Ottawa. He spent the next several seasons developing within the Ducks system, splitting time between Anaheim and the American Hockey League. On December 7, 2016, Noesen scored his first NHL goal, a memorable milestone in his young career.
During the 2016–17 season, Noesen posted two goals in 12 games before being placed on waivers by Anaheim. On January 25, 2017, the New Jersey Devils claimed him off waivers, giving him a fresh opportunity to establish himself at the NHL level. That summer, the Devils re-signed Noesen to a one-year, two-way contract worth $660,000, signaling their belief in his potential.
New Jersey Devils Era (2017–2019)
In his first full season with the Devils in 2017–18, Noesen set a career high in points, scoring 13 goals and 27 points across 72 games while playing on a line with Travis Zajac and Blake Coleman. His play was a key factor in helping New Jersey reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals. The strong performance earned him a one-year extension worth $1.725 million.
The following 2018–19 season was more difficult, as Noesen missed significant time after re-injuring his left knee and appeared in only 41 games, finishing with eight points. On June 25, 2019, the Devils did not tender him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. He later attended the Dallas Stars’ training camp on a professional tryout in September 2019 but was released before the regular season began.
Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks (2019–2021)
On October 4, 2019, Noesen signed a one-year American Hockey League contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he produced 22 points in as many games. That success led to a one-year, two-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 2, 2019. He made his NHL debut on December 4 against the St. Louis Blues, scoring a goal in a 3–0 victory.
After being waived by Pittsburgh, Noesen was claimed by the San Jose Sharks on December 19, 2019. He debuted for San Jose two days later, scoring against the Blues again in a 5–2 loss, and finished the season with six goals and eight points in 31 games. He re-signed with the Sharks on October 9, 2020, for another year but split the 2020–21 campaign between San Jose and its AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes (2021–2024)
On April 11, 2021, Noesen was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a three-team deal involving Nick Foligno, Columbus, and San Jose. After his time within the Maple Leafs organization ended, he signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 31, 2021. He later won the Calder Cup with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves before re-signing with Carolina on a two-year deal.
In his first full NHL season with Carolina, Noesen set new career highs with 13 goals and 36 points in 78 games. He scored the game-winning goal in Game 1 of the Hurricanes’ first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders in 2023, and Carolina went on to eliminate New York in six games and the New Jersey Devils in five. Against the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals, Noesen scored in Game 1, the sixth-longest game in NHL history, before leaving Game 4 with an upper-body injury as the Hurricanes were eliminated in four games.
Return to New Jersey Devils (2024–Present)
Following three productive seasons with the Hurricanes, Noesen returned to the New Jersey Devils as a free agent on July 1, 2024, signing a three-year, $8.25 million contract. The deal signaled the team’s confidence in his veteran presence and scoring touch. He rejoined the organization where he had enjoyed his first sustained NHL success and brought playoff experience from his Carolina years.
Driving Style and Strengths
Noesen is recognized for his physicality, net-front presence, and willingness to play in tough areas of the ice. His 185-centimeter frame and 93-kilogram build allow him to win battles along the boards and in front of the net, while his shot and timing have made him a dependable contributor on the power play. Coaches have valued his versatility across the forward group and his reliability in both even-strength and specialty-team situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Noesen’s career are his first NHL goal on December 7, 2016, his 13-goal, 27-point breakout with the Devils in 2017–18, and his game-winning goal in Game 1 of the 2023 playoffs against the New York Islanders. His overtime goal in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Florida that same spring ranked as the sixth-longest game in NHL history, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer in big moments.
Stefan Noesen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Stefan Noesen’s immediate family remains limited, and details about his parents have not been widely reported. His early hockey roots trace back to the Dallas suburbs, where he grew up alongside future NHL teammate Blake Coleman. The family supported his move north at 14 to pursue major junior hockey in Canada.
Personal Life
Stefan Noesen married his fiancée, Alyson, in July 2018. The couple has kept much of their personal life private, and information about children has not been publicly confirmed. Noesen has spoken in the past about the importance of family support throughout his journeyman professional career across multiple organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Stefan Noesen is in the second year of his three-year, $8.25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils, a deal that runs through the 2026–27 campaign. His veteran presence and physical style are expected to remain key assets for the team’s forward group as they push for a stronger playoff run after their return to contention.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025 campaign, Noesen has continued to provide net-front scoring and dependable play in all three zones. Coaches have deployed him across the forward lines and on the power play, where his size and shot create valuable chances. His leadership, shaped by years of experience with Anaheim, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Toronto, and Carolina, has helped stabilize the locker room.
Looking ahead, Noesen will be a central figure as the Devils chase a deep postseason run in 2025. If he can match or build on the career-high production he posted with Carolina, he will play an important role in New Jersey’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup. His combination of experience, size, and timely scoring makes him a player to watch throughout the rest of the season.