Zachary Aston-Reese Bio
Zachary Aston-Reese is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 10, 1994, in Staten Island, New York, he has built his career as a versatile bottom-six forward known for his work ethic, physicality, and willingness to play in key situations. He has previously represented the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings.
Aston-Reese entered the NHL as an undrafted free agent and earned his place through a strong college career at Northeastern University, where he collected several major individual awards. Since making his NHL debut in February 2018, he has been recognized for his two-way play, penalty killing, and contributions in the postseason.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Aston-Reese was born on August 10, 1994, in the New York City borough of Staten Island. He is the third child of William Sr. and Carolyn (née Buckheit) Aston-Reese, and he grew up alongside three older siblings: a sister, Kristen, and two brothers, Todd and William Jr. He attended PS 45 in West Brighton and Morris Intermediate School in Brighton Heights before enrolling at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, where he played his freshman year of hockey.
His early exposure to the sport came through youth programs in and around the New York City metropolitan area. During the 2010–11 season, while playing for the New Jersey Rockets of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Aston-Reese also appeared in the United States Hockey League (USHL), suiting up for two games with the Des Moines Buccaneers and 25 games with the Lincoln Stars. He later joined the Lincoln Stars on a full-time basis for the 2011–12 season, recording 5 goals and 10 assists in 53 games.
Path to Hockey
After one more season with the Lincoln Stars, Aston-Reese committed to Northeastern University, where he played four seasons of Division I college hockey for the Northeastern Huskies. He developed into a reliable scoring and checking forward during his time in the Hockey East conference. During the 2015–16 season, he helped the Huskies capture the Hockey East Tournament championship.
The following season, Aston-Reese enjoyed a breakout year that established him as one of the top college players in the country. He was named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team, the NCAA Division I First All-American Team, and was awarded Hockey East Player of the Year. He was also recognized as a Hobey Baker hat trick finalist, highlighting his standing among the nation’s leading players.
Zachary Aston-Reese Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
On March 14, 2017, Zachary Aston-Reese signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an undrafted free agent. He immediately joined the Penguins’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he recorded eight points in ten games to close out the season.
Aston-Reese began the 2017–18 season in the minors before earning his first NHL opportunity. He made his league debut on February 3, 2018, against the New Jersey Devils, and quickly found the scoresheet by netting his first two NHL goals in a 6–3 win over the Ottawa Senators on February 13. He added his first career playoff point on April 18, 2018, assisting on a goal by Riley Sheahan against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Pittsburgh Penguins Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Following a strong playoff debut that included a broken jaw and concussion suffered on a hit by Washington’s Tom Wilson during the 2018 postseason, Aston-Reese returned to the Penguins’ lineup and continued to carve out a role. He began the 2018–19 season in the AHL, but was recalled to Pittsburgh on November 6 after posting six goals in 11 games. He scored six goals and 11 points in his next 30 NHL games before a broken hand suffered on January 8, 2019, against the Florida Panthers cut his campaign short.
On July 22, 2019, the Penguins rewarded his development with a two-year, $2 million contract extension. Aston-Reese became a restricted free agent after the 2020–21 season and filed for salary arbitration, but the two sides avoided a hearing when Pittsburgh re-signed him to a one-year, $1.725 million contract on August 5, 2021. He was a steady contributor on the penalty kill and in a bottom-six capacity during his time in Pittsburgh.
Anaheim and Toronto Era (2022–2023)
On March 21, 2022, Aston-Reese was traded by Pittsburgh, along with Dominik Simon, prospect Calle Clang, and a second-round draft choice, to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Rickard Rakell. His stay in Anaheim was brief, and he entered the 2022–23 NHL season as a free agent.
He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout ahead of the 2022–23 campaign, and after a successful preseason, he signed a one-year, $840,000 contract on October 9, 2022. He recorded his first goal as a Maple Leaf in a 5–2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 2. He finished the season with ten goals and 14 points in 77 games and took part in Toronto’s first postseason series win since 2004.
Detroit and Columbus Era (2023–Present)
As an unrestricted free agent, Aston-Reese signed a professional tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes on September 14, 2023, but was released on October 6. Two days later, on October 8, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings. He opened the 2023–24 season with Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, and was briefly recalled by the Red Wings on October 14, 2023, before returning to the minors the next day. He made his season debut with Detroit on December 11, 2023, in a 6–3 loss to the Dallas Stars, after a series of injuries created a need for forward depth.
On July 1, 2024, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, but he was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 7, 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 season, giving him a fresh opportunity in the NHL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Aston-Reese is recognized as a dependable two-way forward who excels in defensive zone coverage, penalty killing, and physical matchups against opposing top lines. His straight-line skating, willingness to block shots, and responsible positional play have made him a trusted bottom-six option, while his steady improvement in the offensive zone has allowed him to contribute 10-plus goals in full NHL seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Aston-Reese’s career include his first NHL goals against the Ottawa Senators in February 2018, his first playoff point against the Philadelphia Flyers later that spring, and his role in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first postseason series win since 2004. His recovery from a broken jaw and concussion sustained on a hit by Washington’s Tom Wilson also stands out as a defining moment of resilience.
Zachary Aston-Reese Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Zachary Aston-Reese has accumulated a steady body of work as a depth scorer and checker, with his most productive individual NHL season coming during 2022–23 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is best measured by his consistency rather than headline-grabbing totals, and his contributions have been particularly valued in playoff environments and on the penalty kill.
NHL Highlights
Aston-Reese made an immediate impression with Pittsburgh after his February 2018 debut, highlighted by his first two NHL goals against Ottawa and a strong first postseason. He later posted ten goals and 14 points in 77 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022–23, finishing as a regular contributor while helping the team break a long postseason drought. His first goal as a Maple Leaf came against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 2, 2022.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Aston-Reese won the Hockey East Tournament championship with Northeastern in 2015–16, and was later named Hockey East Player of the Year, Hockey East First All-Star Team, and NCAA Division I First All-American Team. He also earned recognition as a Hobey Baker hat trick finalist.
Zachary Aston-Reese Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Zachary Aston-Reese grew up in a close-knit family in Staten Island, New York, as the third of four children of William Sr. and Carolyn (née Buckheit) Aston-Reese. He has three older siblings: a sister, Kristen, and two brothers, Todd and William Jr., and his New York-area roots remain a defining part of his identity.
Off the ice, Aston-Reese studied graphic design during his time at Northeastern University and has occasionally worked in NHL front offices on the design of gameday programs, including with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He attended St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City for his freshman year of high school hockey before continuing his development in junior hockey.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Zachary Aston-Reese’s primary objective is establishing himself as a full-time NHL contributor with the Columbus Blue Jackets after being claimed off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights in October 2024. His two-way play, penalty-killing ability, and physical presence are expected to be central to his role with the club.
As the 2024–25 season progresses, Aston-Reese is positioned to compete for a regular spot in Columbus’s bottom six while providing leadership and veteran stability. His track record of producing double-digit goals in a previous full NHL season with Toronto offers a benchmark for what the Blue Jackets may hope to see from him during 2025.
Looking ahead, Aston-Reese’s outlook for 2025 hinges on consistency, health, and his ability to deliver the kind of reliable, detail-oriented hockey that has defined his career. Continued trust from the coaching staff and a stable role on the penalty kill and in defensive matchups will be key indicators of his long-term standing in Columbus.