Daniel Sprong (born March 17, 1997) is a Dutch professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
right winger for the
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL). Sprong was originally selected by the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
in the second round (46th overall) of the
2015 NHL entry draft after playing two seasons with the
Charlottetown Islanders of the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL; , LHJMQ), formerly the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The league includes teams in Quebec ...
(QMJHL), and made the Penguins immediately after being drafted, though he would return to the QMJHL and play two more seasons with the Islanders. He played parts of four seasons with Pittsburgh and their
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
affiliate before being traded to the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
in 2018, where he spent two seasons before being traded to the
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
in 2020. After his initial stint with the Kraken, he had tenures with the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
and
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
before returning to Seattle.
Born in the
Netherlands
, Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
, Sprong moved to
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
with his family in 2005 in order to further his hockey career.
Playing career
Junior
Sprong first played hockey as a young child in his hometown of Amsterdam. Due to the lack of a developed hockey program in the Netherlands, at ages four and five, Sprong played on teams with players as old as twelve or thirteen.
To help further Sprong's development in hockey, his family moved to
L'ÃŽle-Bizard, Quebec
L'ÃŽle-Bizard () is a former municipality current borough located on ÃŽle Bizard, an island northwest of the Island of Montreal. It was originally incorporated as a municipality on 1 July 1855 as Paroisse de Saint-Raphael-de l'Ile-Bizard.
On 1 ...
, in 2005 when he was eight years old.
In Quebec, he played within the Deux-Rives
minor ice hockey
Minor ice hockey or minor hockey is an umbrella term for amateur ice hockey which is played below the junior age level. Players are classified by age, with each age group playing in its own league. The rules, especially as it relates to body c ...
program and competed at the 2008 and 2009
Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament
The Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament () is an annual minor ice hockey event in Quebec City. The tournament was founded in 1960 to coincide with the Quebec Winter Carnival, and give an opportunity for international competition to p ...
s.
For the 2011–12 season, Sprong joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, a Pennsylvania-based travelling team.
Back in Quebec the following season, with the Lac St-Louis Tigres, Sprong set the Quebec Midget Espoir AA league (the second-tier league in Quebec; as a non-citizen Sprong was ineligible to play in the top tier)
scoring record with 104 points in 30 games.
He was then selected thirteenth overall by the
Charlottetown Islanders in the 2013 QMJHL entry draft, and joined the team for the
2013–14 season. He led the Islanders in scoring with 68 points in 67 games and his outstanding play was recognized when he was named to the 2013–14 QMJHL All-Rookie Team. The following
2014–15 season, Sprong again led the Islanders in scoring, and was twelfth overall in the QMJHL, with 88 points.
He was also invited to take part in the 2015
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. In the
NHL Central Scouting Bureau
The NHL Central Scouting Services (CSS) is a department within the National Hockey League (NHL) that ranks prospects for the NHL entry draft at specific times during the hockey season. Players are ranked based on how well they will translate t ...
's final list of players for the draft, Sprong was listed as the 20th best North American skater. He was ultimately selected in the second round, 46th overall, by the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
.

After his stint with the Penguins in 2015, Sprong rejoined the Islanders for the remainder of the
2015–16 season. He played 33 games for the Islanders and recorded 46 points. The team made the playoffs, where Sprong scored a further 15 points before the team was eliminated in the second round.
An injury sustained during practice with the Penguins during the
2016 Stanley Cup playoffs kept Sprong out until January, 2017 when he rejoined Charlottetown. He only played 31 games that
2016–17 season, but finished with 59 points, the highest points-per-game average in the entire league. He finished his career with the Islanders with the third goals and second most points in team history, and during the playoffs he tied the record for most career goals and broke the records for most assists and points. Sprong led the Islanders in scoring with 20 points in 12 games as the team lost in the third round of the playoffs, ending his junior career. Following that he was recalled again by the Penguins to train with them during their time in the NHL playoffs.
Professional
Sprong signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins on August 28, 2015.
After impressing Penguins' management at training camp, Sprong made the Penguins opening roster for the
2015–16 season. In doing so, Sprong became the first player taken in the second round or later to make the opening night roster immediately after being drafted since
Brandon Saad in 2011. His first game was on October 8 against the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
. Sprong recorded his first goal on October 15, his fourth game, against
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
goaltender
Craig Anderson. Sprong played 18 games for the Penguins, scoring two goals, before the team decided to send him back to Charlottetown for the remainder of the season. When Sprong's QMJHL season ended he was reassigned to the Penguins minor league affiliate, the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (sometimes known as the WBS Penguins) are a professional ice hockey team based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Pengui ...
of the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
for their playoff run.
He appeared in 10 games and recorded 7 points before the team was eliminated in the third round; Sprong was subsequently recalled to Pittsburgh to serve as a reserve player for their final playoff games. During a practice in the playoffs, Sprong injured his shoulder; the subsequent surgery and healing meant he would be unable to play again for roughly 7–8 months.
On December 3, 2018, the Penguins traded Sprong to the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
in exchange for
Marcus Pettersson. Remaining with the Ducks through the
2018–19 season, Sprong notched new career highs in posting 14 goals and 19 points in 47 games.
After a sub-par training camp with the Ducks, Sprong was placed on waivers prior to the
2019–20 season and upon going unclaimed was reassigned to the
San Diego Gulls
The San Diego Gulls are a professional ice hockey team based in San Diego. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Anaheim Ducks. The team plays its home games at Pechanga Arena.
History
On Jan ...
. With the direction to play a more complete two-way game, Sprong responded with scoring 11 goals and 27 points through 39 games. Sprong was recalled by the Ducks; however, he was unable to replicate his previous offensive performance with the Ducks, contributing with 2 points through 8 games before returning to the Gulls.
Sprong was traded to the
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
on February 24, 2020, in exchange for
Christian Djoos. He was assigned to the Capitals' affiliate, the
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears are a professional ice hockey team based in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Bears have played in the American Hockey League (AHL) since the 1938–39 season, making it the longest continuously operating member club of the league still ...
. He signed a two-year, $1.45 million contract extension on September 18, 2020. He was traded to the
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle. The Kraken compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The t ...
, along with two draft picks, on March 21, 2022, for
Marcus Johansson.
At the conclusion of his contract with the Kraken, Sprong as a free agent went unsigned over the summer. Approaching the
2022–23 season, he rejoined the Kraken in signing a professional tryout contract to attend training camp. He was later signed during the preseason to a one-year, two-way contract with the Kraken on October 3, 2022. He recorded a career-high 46 points in 66 games with the Kraken.
On July 1, 2023, Sprong signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
. He recorded 18 goals and 25 assists in 76 games with the Red Wings.
On July 20, 2024, Sprong signed as a free agent to a one-year deal with the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
worth $975,000 for the
2024–25 season. To start the season, Sprong was unable to cement a defined role amongst the Canucks forward ranks, appearing in 9 games and registering 1 goal and 3 points. On November 8, 2024, Sprong's brief tenure with the Canucks concluded after he was traded in a return to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for future considerations.
On January 8, 2025, Sprong was placed on waivers by the Kraken after posting just 2 points in 10 games, clearing fully on January 9th, with the intention to assign him to the Kraken's AHL affiliate, the
Coachella Valley Firebirds
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are a professional ice hockey team based in the Coachella Valley. They are members of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference of the American Hockey League (AHL). The Firebirds began play in the 2022–23 AH ...
. Sprong showed his offensive acumen in posting 25 points through just 19 games with the Firebirds, before he was traded at the NHL deadline by the Kraken to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for seventh-round pick in 2026 on March 7, 2025.
Personal life
Sprong was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His father, Hannie, was a professional hockey player in the Netherlands during the early 1990s and later managed a team there.
At the age of seven Sprong moved from the Netherlands to Canada with his family in order to help develop his hockey career. The family settled in
ÃŽle Bizard, Quebec, a community near
Montreal
Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
.
Sprong remains a Dutch citizen, but has applied for Canadian citizenship; as of 2022, he had still not received it, though was a
Canadian permanent resident. As a result, Sprong has not participated in any international tournaments, as he has declined to play for the
Dutch national team, preferring to remain eligible for the
Canadian national team.
Sprong is the third NHL player born in the Netherlands; the first two,
Ed Kea and
Ed Beers, were also raised in Canada.
In 2023, racing driver
Zachary Claman DeMelo accused Sprong of assaulting him at a nightclub during the
Detroit Grand Prix
The title of Detroit Grand Prix (United States Grand Prix – East) was applied to the Formula One races held at the Detroit street circuit in Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America from 1982 through 1988.
History
In 1982, the U ...
weekend.
Career statistics
Awards and honours
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sprong, Daniel
1997 births
Anaheim Ducks players
Charlottetown Islanders players
Coachella Valley Firebirds players
Detroit Red Wings players
Dutch emigrants to Canada
Dutch expatriate ice hockey people
Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Canada
Dutch expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Dutch ice hockey right wingers
Expatriate ice hockey players in Canada
Expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Hershey Bears players
Ice hockey people from Montreal (region)
Living people
New Jersey Devils players
Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks
Pittsburgh Penguins players
San Diego Gulls (AHL) players
Seattle Kraken players
Sportspeople from Amsterdam
Vancouver Canucks players
Washington Capitals players
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players