Jake Oettinger

Lore & Background

Oettinger grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota, and looked up to Henrik Lundqvist, who inspired him to play goalie. He accelerated his academics at Lakeville North High School, graduating in little over two years, and then enrolled in the Boston University College of Communication. After playing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, he was drafted by the Stars in 2017. In college, he was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and Second Team All-Star as a freshman, and as a sophomore he earned the William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player award after helping Boston University win the Hockey East Tournament title.

Professionally, Oettinger signed an entry-level contract with the Stars in March 2019 and began in the AHL. He made his NHL debut in relief during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs and became the Stars' backup goaltender in the 2020–21 season. By the 2021–22 season, he became the starter and led the Stars to the playoffs, where he made 64 saves in a game seven overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. He signed a three-year, $12 million contract in September 2022 and posted a 37–11–11 record with a .919 save percentage in the 2022–23 season. He required off-season ankle surgery after that playoffs. In the 2023–24 season, he went 35–14–4 and represented the Stars at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. He signed an eight-year, $66 million extension in October 2024 and was selected as a goaltender for the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off, playing one game in a 2–1 loss to Sweden. He was named to the U.S. roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he was the backup and did not play, but the team won a gold medal.

Reader's Guide

Jake Oettinger's significance lies in his rapid rise from a first-round draft pick to the Dallas Stars' franchise goaltender. His performance in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, particularly the first-round series against the Calgary Flames, was widely noted as exceptional: he led all goaltenders with a .954 save percentage and made 64 saves in a game seven overtime loss, the second-highest total in a game seven in NHL history. That performance established him as the Stars' main goaltender for the following season. He subsequently signed a three-year, $12 million contract and then an eight-year, $66 million extension, reflecting his long-term value to the team. Oettinger represented the Stars at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game and was selected for the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he won a gold medal as a backup. His career trajectory—from college standout to NHL starter to Olympic gold medalist—underscores his importance to both the Dallas Stars and American hockey.

Did You Know?

• Oettinger graduated from high school in little over two years after accelerating his academics.
• Oettinger won a gold medal with the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, though he did not play in any games.