Dennis Gilbert (ice hockey)

Dennis Gilbert (born October 30, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks, 90th overall, in the 2015 NHL entry draft.

Dennis Gilbert
Gilbert with the Calgary Wranglers in 2022
Born	(1996-10-30) October 30, 1996 (age 28) Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Philadelphia Flyers Chicago Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche Calgary Flames Buffalo Sabres Ottawa Senators
NHL draft	91st overall, 2015 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2018–present

Early life

Gilbert was born on October 30, 1996,^[1] to parents Dennis Sr. and Kim Gilbert.^[2] Growing up, he refused to play hockey year-round to play lacrosse and football.^[3]

Playing career

Gilbert played junior hockey with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before he was selected in the third round, 90th overall, in the 2015 NHL entry draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Gilbert played collegiate hockey for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the University of Notre Dame, originally of Hockey East.^[4] In his sophomore season with the Fighting Irish in 2016–17, Gilbert helped guide Notre Dame to the Frozen Four and was announced as the Hockey East's Best Defensive Defenseman and a Hockey East Third Team All-Star.

Gilbert concluded his collegiate career following his junior season with the Fighting Irish in the 2017–18 season, turning professional by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 14, 2018.^[5]

Entering the final year of his entry-level deal on October 10, 2020, Gilbert was traded by the Blackhawks, alongside Brandon Saad, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Anton Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.^[6]

Following two seasons in Colorado, Gilbert left as a free agent and was signed to a two-year, $1.525 million contract with the Calgary Flames on July 13, 2022.^[7]

After his contract with the Flames, Gilbert opted to leave as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, $825,000 contract with hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres, on July 1, 2024.^[8]

On March 7, 2025, Gilbert was traded to the Ottawa Senators along with Dylan Cozens and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.^[9] He concluded the season with the Senators, registering 1 assist through just 4 appearances.

As a free agent from the Senators, Gilbert was signed as a free agent to a one-year, $8750,000 contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1, 2025.^[10]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2011–12	St. Joseph's Collegiate	USHS		27	4	5	9	2		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	St. Joseph's Collegiate	USHS		28	12	8	20	21		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Buffalo Jr. Sabres	OJHL		35	4	13	17	36		10	0	3	3	8
2014–15	Chicago Steel	USHL		59	4	23	27	89		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Notre Dame	HE		37	2	8	10	34		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Notre Dame	HE		40	0	22	22	22		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Notre Dame	B1G		39	4	6	10	16		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		63	5	9	14	67		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		1	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		30	1	6	7	46		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		21	1	2	3	38		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		3	0	0	0	5		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Colorado Eagles	AHL		17	1	7	8	4		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Colorado Eagles	AHL		52	6	17	23	41		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Calgary Wranglers	AHL		26	2	3	5	41		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Calgary Flames	NHL		23	1	3	4	27		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Calgary Flames	NHL		34	1	6	7	16		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		25	0	5	5	50		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Ottawa Senators	NHL		4	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				111	3	17	20	138		—	—	—	—	—

Awards and honors

Award	Year
USHL
All-Rookie Team	2015
College
HE Best Defensive Defenseman	2017
HE Third All-Star Team	2017