Aaron Ness

Playing career

Aaron Ness got his start at Roseau High School in Minnesota, where he was named the state's top senior player in 2008, winning the Mr. Hockey award. To get a head start on college hockey, he packed his junior year with eight in-person classes and 3.5 online credits, graduating early while still helping his team take fourth place at the 2008 2A State Tournament. He then spent three seasons with the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers in NCAA Division I. In March 2011, the New York Islanders signed him to a three-year entry-level deal. During the 2014–15 season, he wore the captain's C for their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. After leaving the Islanders as a free agent in July 2015, he inked a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals, later re-signing on the same terms in May 2018. The Capitals called him up from Hershey in November 2018, alongside defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, for his first NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, stepping in while Brooks Orpik and John Carlson were sidelined. Following four years with the Capitals organization, he signed a two-year, two-way deal with the Arizona Coyotes in July 2019. After leaving the Coyotes, he took a one-year AHL contract with the Providence Bruins in September 2021 and attended Boston Bruins training camp on a tryout, eventually signing with their AHL affiliate. In July 2022, he returned to the Hershey Bears on an AHL deal. He was named captain of the Bears in October 2024 after Dylan McIlrath was called up to Washington. Ness announced his retirement from professional hockey on June 2, 2026.