Dennis Gilbert (ice hockey)
American defenseman who has played for five NHL teams.
Dennis Gilbert (born October 30, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 90th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 NHL entry draft and has also suited up for the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, and Ottawa Senators.
Gilbert grew up playing lacrosse and football alongside hockey, refusing to focus solely on the ice. As a high school sophomore, he served as the backup quarterback to Chad Kelly. He played junior hockey for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the Ontario Junior Hockey League before moving to the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his lone USHL season (2014–15), he posted four goals and 23 assists for 27 points in 59 games and committed to the University of Notre Dame.
He joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the 2015–16 season, tallying two goals and ten points in 37 games. The team was eliminated from the 2016 NCAA tournament by Michigan. As a sophomore in 2016–17, Gilbert recorded 22 assists in 40 games and helped Notre Dame reach the Frozen Four, where they lost to Denver. He was named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenseman and a Third Team All-Star. Notre Dame moved to the Big Ten conference in July 2017. In his junior and final collegiate season (2017–18), he played 39 games, scoring four goals and ten points. The Fighting Irish won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the 2018 Frozen Four championship game, falling to Minnesota-Duluth.
After signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on April 14, 2018, Gilbert turned professional and was assigned to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs for the 2018–19 season. He appeared in 63 games with Rockford, notching five goals and 14 points. Recalled by Chicago on April 3, 2019, after the Blackhawks were out of playoff contention, he made his NHL debut that night in a 4–3 win over the St. Louis Blues and was sent back to the AHL the next day. During the 2019–20 season, he split time between Rockford and Chicago. He recorded his first NHL point on December 12, assisting on a Jonathan Toews goal in a 5–2 loss to Arizona, and scored his first NHL goal on December 22 in a 5–2 win over the New York Islanders.
- Born
- October 30, 1996
- Draft
- Chicago Blackhawks, 3rd round (90th overall), 2015
- Position
- defenseman
- Nhl debut
- April 3, 2019 (Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues)
Lore & Background
Gilbert grew up in Buffalo, New York, and refused to play hockey year-round in favor of lacrosse and football. As a high school sophomore, he was the backup quarterback to Chad Kelly. He played junior hockey with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and Chicago Steel before committing to the University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, he was named Hockey East's Best Defensive Defenseman and a Third Team All-Star in 2016–17, and helped the Fighting Irish reach the Frozen Four championship game in 2018. He turned professional with the Blackhawks in 2018 and made his NHL debut at the end of the 2018–19 season. He scored his first NHL goal on December 22, 2019, against the New York Islanders. Gilbert was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2020, then signed with the Calgary Flames as a free agent in 2022. After two seasons in Calgary, he signed a one-year contract with his hometown Buffalo Sabres on July 1, 2024. He was traded to the Ottawa Senators on March 7, 2025, and later signed with the Philadelphia Flyers before being traded back to Ottawa. He made his NHL playoff debut in 2026 with the Senators.
Reader's Guide
Dennis Gilbert's career illustrates the path of a defenseman who has moved between multiple NHL organizations while consistently contributing at the AHL level. His journey from a multi-sport athlete in high school to a professional hockey player reflects a non-traditional development route. Gilbert's time at Notre Dame established him as a defensive defenseman, earning conference recognition. In the NHL, he has served primarily as a depth defenseman, often splitting seasons between the NHL and AHL. His ability to be traded multiple times and sign as a free agent with different teams demonstrates his value as a reliable, low-cost option for organizations needing defensive depth. His return to the Buffalo Sabres, his hometown team, adds a personal dimension to his professional story. Gilbert's career also includes notable moments such as his first NHL goal and his first playoff appearance, both achieved with different teams. His frequent movement between clubs and leagues underscores the transient nature of a career as a depth defenseman in the modern NHL.
Did You Know?
- Gilbert was a backup quarterback to Chad Kelly in high school.
- He made his NHL playoff debut on April 18, 2026, with the Ottawa Senators.
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