Nick Abruzzese

Lore & Background

Abruzzese grew up in Slate Hill, New York, and played multiple sports including baseball, lacrosse, and soccer before focusing on hockey. He played for several junior teams including the New Jersey Colonials, New Jersey Avalanche, and Westchester Express before joining the Chicago Steel of the USHL from 2017 to 2019. Under new coach Greg Moore in his second USHL season, Abruzzese led the league in scoring with 80 points in 69 games and was named to the All-USHL First Team.

After being drafted by the Maple Leafs, Abruzzese attended Harvard University from 2020 to 2022, majoring in psychology. His freshman season was the best under coach Ted Donato, as he recorded 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points in 31 games. He was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year and Ivy League Rookie of the Year, and was selected for the ECAC First All-Star Team, First Team All-Ivy, and All-Rookie Team. He also earned AHCA Second Team All-American honors in March 2020. Harvard did not play during the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Abruzzese underwent hip surgery during that time.

Abruzzese returned to Harvard as co-captain for the 2021-22 season, contributing 33 points in 28 games. He also played for Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics, scoring one goal and three assists in four games. He signed an entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs in March 2022 and made his NHL debut on April 4, 2022. He scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, against the Boston Bruins on April 29, 2022. After signing a two-year contract extension in July 2023, he played entirely with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. He was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Maple Leafs in 2025 and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Reader's Guide

Nick Abruzzese's significance lies in his development from a USHL scoring leader to a Maple Leafs draft pick and NHL debutant. His standout freshman season at Harvard, where he led the ECAC in points per game and earned multiple rookie of the year awards, demonstrated his offensive potential. Though his NHL tenure with Toronto was brief—appearing in a handful of games and scoring a game-winning goal—he spent the bulk of his Maple Leafs contract with the AHL's Toronto Marlies. His selection for the 2022 U.S. Olympic team highlighted his international recognition. After being released by Toronto in 2025, he joined the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, continuing his professional career in the AHL with Syracuse Crunch. His career illustrates the path of a collegiate player who achieved individual honors but did not secure a permanent NHL role with the team that drafted him.

Did You Know?

• Abruzzese led the USHL in scoring with 80 points in 69 games during the 2018-19 season.
• Abruzzese scored his first NHL goal as a game winner against the Boston Bruins on April 29, 2022.