Exciting News: Red Wings Lock in Zach Aston-Reese with a Lucrative One-Year Contract

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have announced the signing of center Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year, two-way contract.

Aston-Reese, aged 29, had a successful season in 2022-23 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 77 regular-season games, he contributed 14 points (10 goals, 4 assists) and spent 25 minutes in the penalty box. Furthermore, he scored one goal in six Stanley Cup playoff matches, assisting the Maple Leafs in securing their first postseason series victory in 19 years. Aston-Reese split the 2021-22 season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks, accumulating 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists), along with a plus-nine rating and 28 penalty minutes in 69 games. Initially signed as an undrafted free agent by Pittsburgh in 2017, Aston-Reese has amassed 80 points (42 goals, 38 assists), a plus-33 rating, and 124 penalty minutes in 307 games with the Penguins, Ducks, and Maple Leafs since the 2017-18 season. Additionally, from 2016-19, Aston-Reese recorded 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists), a plus-26 rating, and 74 penalty minutes in 62 appearances with the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Prior to his professional career, Aston-Reese spent four seasons playing for Northeastern University from 2013-17, where he accumulated impressive statistics. In 145 games, he recorded 148 points (66 goals, 82 assists), a plus-48 rating, and 182 penalty minutes. Aston-Reese’s senior year was particularly outstanding, as he was named to the NCAA First All-American Team and received the prestigious Hockey East Player of the Year award. During the 2016-17 season, he led the NCAA in goals (31) and points (63) in just 38 games. Aston-Reese also played a crucial role in guiding the Huskies to victory in the Hockey East Tournament during his junior year. Prior to his college career, the Staten Island native displayed his skills in the United States Hockey League, playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers and Lincoln Stars from 2010-13, accumulating 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists), a plus-12 rating, and 188 penalty minutes in 140 games.

Zachary Aston-Reese, Center

Born Aug 10, 1994  — Staten Island, NY

Height: 6.01 — Weight: 205 — Shoots: Left