Neal Pionk
| Neal Pionk | |||
|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Pionk with the Jets on January 18, 2022 | |||
| Born |
July 29, 1995 Omaha, Nebraska | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Winnipeg Jets New York Rangers | ||
| National team |
 United States | ||
| NHL draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2017–present | ||
Neal Robert Pionk (born July 29, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. He currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the New York Rangers.
Career
[change | change source]Before playing in the NHL, Pionk played three seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and two years with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). He had a successful time with his teams. With the Musketeers, he was named to the First All-Star Team and was also named the Defenseman of the Year.[1] For the Bulldogs, he was named to the NCHC All-Tournament Team, NCAA All-Tournament Team, and the NCHC Second All-Star Team.[2][3]
He was not drafted by an NHL team. On May 1, 2017, Pionk signed a two-year, $3.55 million entry-level contract to join the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL).[4] He was sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.
On February 9, 2018, the Rangers called him up and Pionk made his NHL debut in a 4–3 win against the Calgary Flames.[5] On February 13, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Kevin Hayes goal in a 4–3 loss against the Minnesota Wild.[6] On March 24, 2018, Pionk scored his first NHL goal against Robin Lehner in a 5–1 win against the Buffalo Sabres.[7]
On June 17, 2019, the Rangers traded Pionk along with a 2019 first-round draft pick to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Jacob Trouba.[8] On August 11, 2021, Pionk signed a four-year, $23.5 million contract to stay with the Jets.[9] On April 17, 2025, Pionk signed a six-year, $42 million contract to stay with the Jets.[10]
Personal life
[change | change source]He was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in Hermantown, Minnesota.[11]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Incoming Freshman Pionk Selected USHL Defenseman of the Year". Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Bulldogs capture 2017 Frozen Faceoff for first NCHC title". National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Denver Survives, Claims 8th National Championship". Insider Hockey. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Rangers Agree To Terms With Free Agent Defenseman Neal Pionk". New York Rangers. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "NHL: Pionk makes NHL debut". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Dubnyk saves 32 as Wild hold on 3-2 against Rangers". ABC7 New York. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Pionk scores first career goal following great Rangers passing". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Jets acquire Neal Pionk and a first-round draft pick". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Jets sign defenceman Neal Pionk to a four-year contract". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Pionk signs six-year contract extension with Jets". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Q&A: Neal Pionk on his long road to the NHL, unique development path and his opportunity in Winnipeg". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or ESPN.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database