Austin Strand

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Austin Strand

| image = Austin Strand in 2022.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Strand with the Ontario Reign in 2022

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|2|17}}

| birth_place = Calgary, Alberta, Canada

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 216

| position = Defence

| shoots = Right

| league = AHL

| team = Utica Comets

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams = Los Angeles Kings
Anaheim Ducks

| draft = Undrafted

| career_start = 2018

| career_end =

}}

Austin Strand (born February 17, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL). He previously played for the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Early life

Strand was born on February 17, 1997, in Calgary{{cite web |title=Austin Strand |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/161123/austin-strand |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=March 17, 2022}} to Leanne and Wade and grew up alongside his older brother Coleton and sister Krysten.{{cite news |title='Dub Weekly: Calgarian Austin Strand makes WHL debut with Red Deer |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/dub-weekly-calgarian-austin-strand-makes-whl-debut-with-red-deer |access-date=March 17, 2022 |publisher=Calgary Herald |date=September 23, 2014}} Growing up, Strand played with Austin Wagner on the Calgary Bantam AA Blazers for their 2010–11 season before both were promoted to the Bantam AAA Northstar Sabres and Midget AAA Calgary Northstars.{{cite web |last1=Cruickshank |first1=Scott |title=Childhood Pals Thrilled To Have Hockey Paths Cross With NHL's Kings |url=https://calgaryboosterclub.com/2021/08/10/childhood-pals-playing-for-the-los-angeles-kings/ |publisher=Calgary Booster Club |access-date=March 17, 2022 |date=August 10, 2021}}

Playing career

=Major junior=

Following his time with the Calgary Northstars, Strand was drafted in the third round, 48th overall, by the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL).{{cite web |title=Red Deer Rebels Make Ten Bantam Draft Selections |url=https://reddeerrebels.com/red-deer-rebels-make-ten-bantam-draft-selections |publisher=Red Deer Rebels |access-date=March 17, 2022 |date=May 3, 2012}} He was subsequently re-assigned to the AAA team for one final season{{cite web |title=Rebels Send Strand To AAA Midget |url=https://reddeerrebels.com/rebels-send-strand-to-aaa-midget |publisher=Red Deer Rebels |access-date=March 17, 2022 |date=September 8, 2013}} before making his WHL debut in 2014. Strand credited his off-season training, both physically and mentally, as the reason for him joining the lineup.{{cite web |last1=Freisen |first1=Kelly |title=NHL draft tracker: Austin Strand, Red Deer Rebels |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/jrhockey-buzzing-the-net/nhl-draft-tracker--austin-strand--red-deer-rebels-045358607.html?guccounter=1 |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=March 17, 2022 |date=March 17, 2015}} Upon joining the team, Strand recorded his first career WHL goal in a 6–5 overtime loss to the Victoria Royals on October 14, 2014.{{cite web |title=Royals Comeback To Defeat Rebels 6-5 In Overtime |url=https://reddeerrebels.com/royals-comeback-to-defeat-rebels-6-5-in-overtime |publisher=Red Deer Rebels |access-date=March 17, 2022 |date=October 15, 2014}} His development impressed Rebels associate coach Jeff Truitt who said: "He’s really been a guy who has absorbed the information and just taken it to another level."{{cite news |title=Strand standing tall for Rebels |url=https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/rebels/strand-standing-tall-for-rebels/ |access-date=March 17, 2022 |publisher=Red Deer Advocate |date=October 28, 2014}} Strand continued to produce offensively and tallied four goals and 13 points through 54 games by March 2015. As such, he began to gain attention from National Hockey League scouts leading up to the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and earned a 66th mid-term ranking by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. His final ranking dropped to 101, and he went undrafted in his first year of eligibility.{{cite web |title=NHL Central Scouting's 2015 final rankings |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-central-scoutings-2015-final-rankings/c-761663 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 17, 2022 |date=April 8, 2015}}

Strand returned to the Rebels for the 2015–16 season, where he tallied two goals and 11 assists for 13 points. As he remained undrafted, Strand was eligible for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL Central Scouting Bureau Player To Watch List.{{cite web |title=49 WHL Players Highlight NHL CSS Players To Watch List |url=https://whl.ca/49-whl-players-highlight-nhl-css-players-to-watch-list |publisher=Western Hockey League |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=November 24, 2015}} He maintained a shut-down role with the Rebels throughout the season and finished his campaign as a plus nine.{{cite news |title=Strand relishing shutdown role on Rebels' blue line |url=https://www.reddeerexpress.com/news/strand-relishing-shutdown-role-on-rebels-blue-line/ |access-date=March 18, 2022 |publisher=Red Deer Express |date=November 23, 2016}} Strand's offensive ability helped push the Rebels to the 2016 Memorial Cup, where they faced the Brandon Wheat Kings.{{cite web |title=WHL Playoffs: Rebels win to cut into Wheat Kings' series lead |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/whl-playoffs-rebels-win-cut-wheat-kings-series-lead/ |publisher=Sportsnet |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=April 27, 2016}}

Strand returned to the Rebels for the 2016–17 season, where he began the season strong; surpassing his previous career-high point total through the first 12 games.{{cite web |last1=Meachem |first1=Greg |title=Strand provides stability, experience to Rebels blueline |url=https://reddeerrebels.com/article/strand-provides-stability-experience-to-rebels-blueline |publisher=Red Deer Rebels |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=October 25, 2016}} He continued to produce for the Rebels and tallied 15 points with 12 penalty minutes through 38 regular season games. In December 2016, Strand was traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds alongside a sixth-round pick in the 2019 Bantam Draft pick in exchange for defenceman Brandon Schuldhaus.{{cite web |title=T-Birds Acquire Austin Strand From Rebels |url=https://seattlethunderbirds.com/article/t-birds-acquire-austin-strand-from-rebels |publisher=Seattle Thunderbirds |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=December 30, 2016}} Upon joining the Thunderbirds, Strand took up a leadership position, and helped guide the team to the Ed Chynoweth Cup and the 2017 Memorial Cup.{{cite news |last1=Riley |first1=Jim |title=Cool-headed Austin Strand helps Seattle Thunderbirds focus on WHL championship |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/cool-headed-austin-strand-helps-seattle-thunderbirds-focus-on-whl-championship/ |access-date=March 18, 2022 |publisher=Seattle Times |date=May 4, 2017}} After being eliminated from the playoffs, Strand was invited to attend the Edmonton Oilers training camp{{cite web |title=Edmonton Oilers release 2017 rookie camp roster |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers-release-2017-rookie-camp-roster/ |publisher=Sportsnet |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=September 5, 2017}} but was released from his amateur tryout contract on September 14.{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Oilers reduce camp roster |url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-oilers-reduce-camp-roster/c-291048470 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=September 14, 2017}}

In his final major junior season, Strand signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on November 28, 2017.{{cite web |title=LA Kings Sign UFA Defenseman Austin Strand from Seattle Thunderbirds |url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/la-kings-sign-ufa-defenseman-austin-strand-from-seattle-thunderbirds/c-293416790 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=November 27, 2017}} He finished the season with 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points through 69 games and was subsequently assigned to the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Ontario Reign.{{cite web |title=Austin Strand Joins Ontario Reign |url=https://seattlethunderbirds.com/article/austin-strand-joins-ontario-reign |publisher=Seattle Thunderbirds |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=April 6, 2018}}

=Professional=

Strand immediately joined the Reign to complete the 2017–18 season but did not skate in any games. He returned to the Reign for the 2018–19 season but was loaned to the ECHL's Manchester Monarchs prior to the beginning of the season.{{cite web |title=BUDAJ, WATSON RETURN TO ONTARIO |url=https://www.ontarioreign.com/news/detail/budaj-watson-return-to-ontario |publisher=Ontario Reign |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=October 18, 2018}} He tallied two points in six games with the Monarchs before being recalled to the Reign on November 2.{{cite web |title=STRAND, WILLIAMS JOIN REIGN |url=https://www.ontarioreign.com/news/detail/strand-williams-join-reign |publisher=Ontario Reign |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=November 2, 2018}} Strand subsequently made his AHL debut with on November 25 and tallied up an assist in a 7–6 overtime win over the Tucson Roadrunners.{{cite web |title=REIGN ADD STRAND, WYSZOMIRSKI |url=https://www.ontarioreign.com/news/detail/reign-add-strand-wyszomirski |publisher=Ontario Reign |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=December 14, 2018}} Strand alternated between the Reign and the Monarchs throughout the first half of his rookie season before he was able to become a mainstay on the Reigns' lineup in the second half.{{cite web |last1=Dooley |first1=Zach |title=From the ECHL to an NHL debut, it's been a good journey to the show for Austin Strand |url=http://lakingsinsider.com/2021/02/06/from-the-echl-to-an-nhl-debut-its-been-a-good-journey-to-the-show-for-austin-strand/ |website=LA Kings Insider |access-date=February 7, 2021 |date=February 6, 2021}}

Near the start of the 2020–21 season, Strand was re-signed by the Kings to a one-year contract.{{cite web |title=LA Kings Sign Boko Imama and Austin Strand to Contract Extensions |url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/la-kings-sign-boko-imama-and-austin-strand-to-contract-extensions/c-319478840 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=October 19, 2020}} Once the NHL resumed play, Strand was named to the Kings' taxi squad as part of their opening night roster.{{cite web |title=LA Kings Announce Opening Night Roster and Taxi Squad |url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/la-kings-announce-opening-night-roster-and-taxi-squad/c-320236960 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=January 13, 2021}} Strand made his NHL debut on February 5, 2021, in the Kings' 5–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.{{cite web |title=Golden Knights cruise to win against Kings in return |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/los-angeles-kings-vegas-golden-knights-game-recap/c-321037474 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=February 6, 2021}} A few games later, he was fined $3,168.10 for spearing Arizona Coyotes forward Conor Garland during a game.{{cite web |title=Strand fined for actions in Kings game against Coyotes |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/los-angeles-kings-austin-strand-fined/c-321652118 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 18, 2022 |date=February 21, 2021}}

Following his fourth season within the Kings organization, Strand left as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 14, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/ducks/news/ducks-sign-de-leo-gawdin-kirkland-strand-and-white-to-contracts/c-334983360 | title = Ducks sign De Leo, Gawdin, Kirkland, Strand and White to contracts | publisher = Anaheim Ducks | date = July 14, 2022 | accessdate = July 14, 2022}} Strand made five scoreless appearance with the Ducks over the opening months of the 2022–23 season, playing mostly with affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. On March, 3, 2023, the Ducks traded Strand to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Chase Priskie.{{cite web |title=Sabres acquire Strand from Ducks |url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-anaheim-ducks-trade-austin-strand-chase-priskie/c-341786804 |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 3, 2023 |date=March 3, 2023}} He played out the remainder of the season with Sabres affiliate, the Rochester Americans, contributing with one assist through nine regular season games.

As a free agent Strand left the Sabres organization and opted to sign a one-year contract with the lone AHL independent club, the Chicago Wolves, on July 18, 2023.{{citeweb | url = https://theahl.com/wolves-sign-five-to-deals | title = Wolves sign five to deals | publisher = American Hockey League | date = July 18, 2023 | accessdate = July 18, 2023}} He began the 2023–24 season on the Wolves blueline, registering 4 points through 10 games. On December 11, 2023, Stand was traded by the Wolves to the Rockford IceHogs, the affiliate to the Chicago Blackhawks, in exchange for Zach Jordan.{{citeweb| url = https://icehogs.com/news/icehogs-acquire-defenseman-strand-from-wolves-in-exchange-for-jordan | title = IceHogs acquire defenseman Austin Strand in exchange for Zach Jordan | publisher = Rockford IceHogs | date = December 11, 2023 | accessdate = December 11, 2023}}

On July 17, 2024, Strand was re-signed by the IceHogs to a one-year contract extension for the 2024–25 season.{{citeweb| url = https://icehogs.com/news/icehogs-re-sign-austin-strand-to-ahl-contract-2 | title = IceHogs re-sign Austin Strand to a AHL contract | publisher = Rockford IceHogs | date = July 17, 2024 | accessdate = July 17, 2024 }} Strand made 21 appearances with the IceHogs, registering 4 points from the blueline, before he was traded to the Utica Comets, affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, on January 6, 2025.{{citeweb| url = https://x.com/UticaComets/status/1876300617691373765?mx=2 | title = Comets acquire Strand for future considerations | publisher = X | date = January 6, 2025 | accessdate = January 6, 2025 }}