Chris Kreider

Christopher James Kreider (born April 30, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a winger for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Growing up in Boxford, Massachusetts, Kreider played high school hockey for Masconomet Regional High School and Phillips Andover. As a junior at Phillips Andover, Kreider led the team to the New England Prep semifinals and was named New England Prep Player of the Year. Following high school, Kreider played college ice hockey for the Boston College Eagles from 2009 to 2012. Before the start of his freshman season, Kreider was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2009 NHL entry draft. At Boston College, Kreider was named to the All-Hockey East Rookie and All-Hockey East Second Team before turning professional in April 2012 after winning his second NCAA championship.

Kreider made his NHL debut during the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he set a new NHL record for most playoff goals before playing in a regular season game. Kreider split the next two seasons between the NHL and the Rangers American Hockey League affiliate before becoming a mainstay on the NHL roster in the 2014–15 season. Although his next few seasons were marred with injuries, Kreider continued to set personal and franchise records in both the regular and post-seasons. His efforts were recognized by the league with two selections for the NHL All-Star Game and by the fans with the Rangers' Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award. During the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Kreider became the Rangers' all-time leader in playoff goals, playoff power play goals, and playoff game-winning goals.

Kreider has represented the United States internationally at both a junior and senior level. He first represented his home country during the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he won a gold medal. Since 2010, he has represented senior team at four international tournaments and won two bronze medals.

Kreider was born on April 30, 1991, in Boxford, Massachusetts, to parents Kathy and David Kreider. He grew up alongside his younger sister Katie.

Growing up in Boxford, Kreider played with the Valley Jr. Warriors for four years from 2004 to 2008 before enrolling at Masconomet Regional High School. Although he was accepted into Pingree and St. John's Prep coming out of middle school, Kreider and his family chose to enroll him in public school. As a sophomore at Masconomet, he became an All-League player and helped the Chieftains win the Cape Ann League championship. Although he transferred to Phillips Andover for his junior year, Kreider repeated his sophomore year at the private school. Kreider was still able to graduate high school within four years by taking an accelerated summer program. Prior to leaving for Phillips Andover, Kreider experienced a breakout season with 28 goals and 13 assists through 23 games and was named Salem News Player of the Year. In his first year at Phillips Andover, Kreider quickly led the team in goals and accumulated 28 points through 21 games. He improved the following year as he finished with 56 points through 26 games to lead Phillips Andover to the New England Prep semifinals. Although they fell short of the championship, Kreider was named New England Prep Player of the Year.

Following high school, Kreider enrolled at Boston College for three years where he majored in communications. Prior to the start of his freshman year, Kreider was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the New York Rangers, in the 2009 NHL entry draft. He had entered the draft rated 14th among all North American skaters, and first among high school players, by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Kreider recorded four shots on net in his National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) debut on October 18 against the Vermont Catamounts. He recorded his first NCAA point, an assist on Ben Smith's second-period goal, the following game to lift Boston College over Notre Dame. Prior to joining the United States junior team at the 2010 World Junior Championships, Kreider led all rookies on the team with four goals and four assists for eight points through 12 games. After returning from the tournament, Kreider quickly tallied 12 goals and four assists through 12 games and maintained a six-game point streak from February 14 to March 5. He finished his rookie season second in the conference among freshmen with 14 goals and tied for ninth in points with 21. As a result, he was named to the 2009-10 Hockey East All-Rookie Team. As the Boston College Eagles qualified for the 2010 Hockey East semifinals, Kreider tallied a goal and an assist in a 3–0 win over Vermont. In their championship game against the Maine Black Bears, he recorded two assists in their 7–6 overtime win. Kreider scored a goal in the 2010 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament title game to help the Eagles defeat the University of Wisconsin to win the national title. He subsequently became the second American to capture a World Junior Championship gold medal and NCAA title in the same year.

Following the NCAA title, Kreider was also selected to take part in the 2010 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in August 2010 before returning to Boston College for his sophomore season. While leading the Eagles through the 2011 Beanpot Tournament, Kreider tallied two goals and an assist on the overtime game-winner to help the team clinch their second-straight title. He was subsequently named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament for his efforts. His momentum was cut short in March after he suffered a broken jaw when teammate Brian Gibbons accidentally struck him during a game. While he was recovering, the Eagles improved their record to 30–7–1 to clinch the Hockey East title and qualify for the 2011 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament. Despite undergoing surgery, Kreider returned to the lineup on March 25 and tallied an assist in their 8–4 loss. He finished the regular season with 11 goals and 13 assists through 32 games although the Eagles were eliminated from the NCAA tournament in the semifinal of the Western Regional by Colorado College. Following their elimination, Kreider announced his intention to return to Boston College for the 2011–12 season. When speaking on his decision to return to Boston College, Kreider said: "Education is very important to me ... and regardless of how long it takes, I will finish my BC degree. There is life after hockey, and whether it is after next year or regardless, it's just one step closer to getting my degree, which is very important for myself and for my family."