Neal Pionk

Neal Robert Pionk[1] (born July 29, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Neal Pionk
Born (1995-07-29) July 29, 1995
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.[1]
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Winnipeg Jets
New York Rangers
National team  United States
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2017–present

Undrafted, Pionk was signed by the New York Rangers as a college free-agent from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2017.

Playing career

Undrafted, Pionk first played at the junior level with the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League, before committing to a collegiate career with the University of Minnesota Duluth of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. While playing with the Musketeers, Pionk was named to the First All-Star Team and named Defenseman of the Year.[2]

On May 1, 2017, Pionk signed a two-year, $3.55 million contract with the New York Rangers.[3] Pionk made his NHL debut on February 9, 2018, in a 4–3 win over the Calgary Flames.[4][5] He recorded his first NHL goal on March 24, against the Buffalo Sabres.[6] Pionk split the season between the Rangers and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Pionk joined the Rangers full-time during the 2018–19 season. He recorded six goals and 26 points in 73 games, leading all Rangers' defencemen with 13 power play points.

On June 17, 2019, Pionk and a 2019 first-round pick were traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Jacob Trouba. The first-round pick originally belonged to the Jets.[7] On July 21, the Jets signed Pionk to a two-year, $6 million contract extension.[8]

International play
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
2018 Denmark

Pionk, along with teammate Chris Kreider, were the only Rangers players selected to represent the United States at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Hermantown High USHS 25 7 6 13 12 3 0 3 3 2
2012–13 Hermantown High USHS 25 14 15 29 25 3 2 3 5 2
2012–13 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 12 1 5 6 2 — — — — —
2013–14 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 54 2 21 23 93 7 0 1 1 10
2014–15 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 53 7 41 48 104 5 0 1 1 10
2015–16 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 40 4 13 17 44 — — — — —
2016–17 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 42 7 27 34 25 — — — — —
2017–18 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 48 1 16 17 20 — — — — —
2017–18 New York Rangers NHL 28 1 13 14 12 — — — — —
2018–19 New York Rangers NHL 73 6 20 26 35 — — — — —
2019–20 Winnipeg Jets NHL 71 6 39 45 32 4 0 2 2 0
NHL totals 172 13 72 85 79 4 0 2 2 0

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 United States WC 102134
Senior totals 10 2 1 3 4

Awards and honours
Award Year
USHL
First All-Star Team 2015 [2]
Defenseman of the Year 2015
College
NCHC All-Tournament Team 2017 [10]
NCAA All-Tournament Team 2017 [11]
NCHC Second All-Star Team 2017

References
  1. "NEAL PIONK". umdbulldogs.com. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  2. "League Names 2014-15 All-USHL Teams". ushl.com. May 28, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  3. "Rangers Agree To Terms With Free Agent Defenseman Neal Pionk". NHL.com. May 1, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  4. "Rangers beat Flames to snap 4-game losing streak". Sportsnet.ca. February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  5. Joyce, Greg (February 10, 2018). "Rangers rookies make good first impression in NHL debuts". New York Post. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  6. "Vesey, Georgiev lead Rangers to 5-1 win over Sabres". toronto.com. March 24, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  7. "Jets acquire Neal Pionk and a first-round draft pick". Winnipeg Jets. June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  8. "Jets sign Neal Pionk to a two-year contract". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  9. "2018 U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER". teamusa.usahockey.com. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  10. "Bulldogs capture 2017 Frozen Faceoff for first NCHC title". NCHC. 2017-03-18. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  11. "Denver Survives, Claims 8th National Championship". Inside Hockey. 2017-04-09. Retrieved 2018-04-23.


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