Troy Terry Bio
Troy Nathan Terry (born September 10, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a right winger for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted 148th overall by the Ducks in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Terry has developed into a reliable offensive contributor since making his NHL debut in 2018. Beyond his club career, he has represented the United States at both junior and senior levels of international competition.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 79 kilograms, Terry combines skilled puckhandling with a scoring touch that has earned him franchise recognition in Anaheim. His path from a young Colorado skater to a multi-year NHL contract reflects steady development and consistent production.
Early Life and Background
Troy Nathan Terry was born on September 10, 1997, in Denver, Colorado, to parents Susan and Chuck Terry. His father was a high school quarterback who walked on at Arizona State University, and Troy was named after NFL quarterback Troy Aikman. He grew up in the Highlands Ranch suburb of Denver alongside his younger brother Trent.
Terry started playing hockey at four years old and was skating with an older age group by the age of six. He picked up early nicknames such as “Coach Troy” and “Two and a Half Men” because of his size. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic coached Terry’s youth team and praised the young player’s puckhandling, noting he could “stick-handle in a phone booth.” Inspired by goaltender Patrick Roy, Terry originally tried the netminder position before shifting to center and eventually right wing after spending hours shooting pucks while waiting for his turn.
Before high school, Terry played with the Littleton Hawks as a Mite and later moved to the Colorado Thunderbirds AAA organization in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, where he competed from 2008 to 2014. He attended Rock Canyon High School and later transferred to Pioneer High School during his one season with the U.S. under-18 team, graduating within three years.
Path to Hockey
Terry left the Colorado Thunderbirds to play in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), a key step for elite American prospects. Although he was offered a spot in 2013, he chose to wait another year to add weight and height before joining.
In 2013, he was named to the Team USA Under-17 Select Tournament Team for the 2013 U17 Five Nations Tournament in Trnava, Slovakia. That international exposure helped set the stage for his eventual draft year. Following his NTDP season, Terry was recruited by Denver Pioneers head coach George Gwozdecky and retained that recruitment even after Gwozdecky’s firing, entering college as one of the youngest players in NCAA hockey.
Troy Terry Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Selected 148th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft despite his slender frame, Terry used his freshman and sophomore seasons at Denver to add muscle and refine his game. Working closely with the Pioneers’ strength and conditioning staff, he changed his diet and intensified weight training to become a more dominant presence on the ice.
During his freshman year, Terry helped Denver reach the NCAA Frozen Four before falling to eventual champion North Dakota. The following season, he helped lead the Denver Pioneers to the 2017 NCAA Championship. After his junior year, in which he posted 48 points in 39 games, Terry signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ducks on March 27, 2018. He was recognized as the NCHC Player of the Month and a First-Team West All-American.
NHL Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Terry made his NHL debut on the same day he signed, skating on Anaheim’s third line in a 4–1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. After one more appearance, he returned to the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, where he exploded offensively. On October 19, 2018, he posted two goals and three points in his AHL debut and went on an 11-game point streak, finishing with 16 points. He tied a Gulls rookie record for assists in his first six professional games and set a franchise record for consecutive goals by a rookie, earning a selection to the AHL All-Star Game.
The following season, Terry recorded 15 points in 47 games before the NHL was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He missed six weeks after breaking a bone below his kneecap in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. On July 14, 2020, Anaheim signed Terry, then a restricted free agent, to a three-year, $4.35 million contract extension.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2020–Present)
Terry returned for the 2020–21 season and set new career highs in goals and points despite persistent trade rumors ahead of the deadline. He averaged 14:22 of ice time and remained a fixture in Anaheim’s lineup, reinforcing his value as a core offensive piece.
The 2021–22 campaign marked his arrival as a star. On November 15, 2021, he was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week after recording his first career overtime goal and a multi-goal, three-point performance. He became the youngest Duck in franchise history to record a point streak of at least 15 games. On January 3, 2022, he notched his first NHL hat-trick in a 4–1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, and shortly afterward was voted into the NHL All-Star Game for the first time, having produced 22 goals and 14 assists in 38 games. During the offseason, Terry signed a seven-year, $49 million contract extension with an average annual value of $7 million, keeping him in Anaheim through the 2029–30 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Terry is recognized for his elite puckhandling, scoring instincts, and shootout precision, traits that have made him one of the Ducks’ most reliable offensive weapons. His commitment to physical development added strength to a frame that once looked too slight for the NHL, allowing him to play a complete two-way game while logging top-six minutes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Terry’s first NHL hat-trick came on January 3, 2022, against the Philadelphia Flyers, and his franchise-record point streak that same season established him as a young cornerstone for Anaheim. His shootout heroics at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships remain defining international moments.
Troy Terry Career Wins
Troy Terry’s most prominent team triumph came when he helped the Denver Pioneers capture the 2017 NCAA Championship during his sophomore season. At the international level, he has earned gold medals with Team USA, including a memorable shootout victory over Canada at the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
NCAA and International Highlights
Terry’s 2017 NCAA title with Denver stands as his first major team championship. He also contributed to a Team USA gold at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships, scoring three goals on three attempts in the shootout to eliminate Russia, marking the first time the United States had beaten Russia in the medal round of the World Junior championship.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond championships, Terry has produced individual milestones such as his first NHL hat-trick in 2022, an NHL All-Star selection, and a franchise-record point streak as the youngest Duck to achieve that mark. His consistent scoring has translated into a long-term contract that cements his role as a building block for Anaheim.
Troy Terry Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Troy Terry comes from an athletic family rooted in Denver. His father, Chuck Terry, was a high school quarterback who walked on at Arizona State University, and the family’s deep ties to American sports inspired Troy’s name, which honors quarterback Troy Aikman. His mother, Susan Terry, raised Troy and his younger brother Trent in Highlands Ranch.
Personal Life
Troy Terry continues to make his off-season home in the Denver area, close to where he grew up and trained. He maintains a close relationship with his brother Trent, who has been part of his support system throughout his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NHL season, Troy Terry remains a central figure in the Anaheim Ducks’ rebuilding effort. Locked into a long-term deal that runs through 2029–30, he is expected to lead the team’s top-six forward group and provide the offensive consistency that has defined his career.
Through the early months of the 2025 campaign, Terry has continued to log significant ice time and contribute on the power play, where his puckhandling and shot remain valuable assets. His role as a veteran presence on a young Ducks roster has grown, with coaches leaning on his experience during tight games.
Looking ahead, Anaheim’s playoff prospects hinge in part on Terry maintaining his scoring pace and staying healthy. With a stable contract and a clearly defined role, he is positioned to remain the Ducks’ go-to winger as the franchise pushes toward postseason contention.