Casey Mittelstadt

American center for the Boston Bruins, drafted 8th overall in 2017.

Casey Mittelstadt (born November 22, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a center for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, eighth overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2017 NHL entry draft.

Quick Facts

Born: 22 November 1998
Birthplace: Edina, Minnesota, U.S.
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
League: NHL
Team: Boston Bruins
Former teams: Buffalo Sabres; Colorado Avalanche
Draft: 8th overall

Lore & Background

Mittelstadt was born in Edina, Minnesota, but grew up in nearby Eden Prairie. He attended Eden Prairie High School and was chosen as ALL-USA Boys Hockey Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. He was likewise named Mr. Hockey for 2017. He played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the 2017–18 season, ranking second on the team and seventh among all NCAA freshmen with 30 points, earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

He left college on March 26, 2018, signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres. He made his NHL debut on March 29, 2018, recording an assist, and scored his first NHL goal on April 6, 2018. After struggling in the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons, he was assigned to the Rochester Americans on December 15, 2019. He signed a one-year contract on December 23, 2020, and a three-year, $7.5 million contract on September 2, 2021.

In the 2023–24 season, he led the Sabres in scoring with 33 assists and 47 points through 62 games. On March 6, 2024, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Bowen Byram. He made his Avalanche debut on March 8, 2024, and scored his first goal for the team on March 12, 2024. He finished the regular season with 10 points in 18 games.

In the 2024 playoffs, he made his postseason debut and scored his first playoff goal on April 21, 2024, registering 9 points in 11 games. He was re-signed by Colorado to a three-year, $17.25 million contract on June 26, 2024. On March 7, 2025, he was traded to the Boston Bruins along with Will Zellers and a second-round pick in exchange for Charlie Coyle and a fifth-round pick. He finished the season with 15 goals and 25 assists in 81 games split between the Avalanche and Bruins.

Internationally, he played for the United States junior team at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning bronze with a tournament-high 11 points, and was named Best Forward, tournament all-star, and Tournament MVP.

Reader's Guide

Casey Mittelstadt is a center for the Boston Bruins. He was drafted eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2017. He played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers before turning professional in 2018. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on March 6, 2024, in exchange for Bowen Byram. He was later traded to the Boston Bruins on March 7, 2025.