Dylan Gambrell

Gambrell grew up playing hockey in Kent, Washington for the Kent Valley Hockey Association thanks to his dad's roller hockey background.^[1] In order to hone his skills in preparation for a possible college hockey career, he moved to Colorado at the age of 14 to play junior hockey with the Colorado Thunderbirds of the T1EHL at the under-16 level.^[2] He was selected 11th overall in the 2012 USHL Futures draft by the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL).^[3] In 2013, he won the USHL Clark Cup with Dubuque.^[2] He played three seasons with the Fighting Saints before beginning his collegiate career with the University of Denver in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) in the 2015–16 season. He was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team at the end of his first year.^[2] Gambrell was selected by the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the second round, 60th overall, in the 2016 NHL entry draft, but chose to return to university for another year.^[4]

Following the 2017–18 season, in which Gambrell placed third in team scoring as a junior with 43 points in 41 games, Gambrell concluded his collegiate career by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on March 26, 2018.^[5] He was immediately added to the Sharks playing roster, and made his NHL debut in a 4–2 defeat to the Dallas Stars on April 3, 2018.^[6] He completed the regular season going scoreless in three games.^[7]

Approaching the 2018–19 season, on October 2, 2018, he was assigned to the Sharks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.^[8] He was recalled five days later after Joe Thornton was injured.^[7] He spent the majority of the season with the Barracuda, registering 20 goals and 45 points in 51 games. He also appeared in eight games for the Sharks.^[9] Gambrell was inserted into the playoff lineup for Game 6 after Joe Pavelski was injured in Game 5 of the 2019 Western Conference Finals.^[10] He scored his first NHL goal versus the St. Louis Blues as the Sharks only goal during the Blues' 5–1 Game 6 victory.^[11] He finished the playoffs appearing in two games^[9] as the Sharks were eliminated by the Blues.^[12] That off-season he was re-signed by the Sharks to a two-year contract on July 11, 2019.^[13]

Gambrell appeared in 50 games in the 2019–20 season, scoring five goals and eleven points.^[14] During the 2020–21 season, Gambrell appeared in 49 games, scoring five goals and twelve points. He led the team's forwards in ice time on the penalty kill.^[15] After the 2020–21 season, he signed a one-year contract extension.^[16]

On October 9, 2021, Gambrell was placed on waivers after he was beaten out in training camp for the final spot on the Sharks roster by Jasper Weatherby.^[17] He went unclaimed and Gambrell was assigned by the Sharks to the AHL to start the 2021–22 season with the San Jose Barracuda. After making two appearances with the Barracuda he was traded by the Sharks to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2022 on October 24, 2021.^[18] Gambrell was recalled to Ottawa following the trade.^[18] He was acquired to provide depth following a series of injuries to Ottawa's centers.^[19] He finished the season with the Senators, registering three goals and seven points in 63 games. Gambrell signed a one-year extension with the Senators on June 15, 2022.^[20] During the 2022–23 season Gambrell played in 60 games scoring four goals and 10 points.^[21]

On July 3, 2023, Gambrell was signed as a free agent to a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2023–24 season.^[21] Gambrell attended the Maple Leafs 2023 training camp, but failed to make the team. He was placed on waivers on October 8, and after going unclaimed, was assigned to the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.^[22] He remained with the Marlies for the duration of the season, posting 36 points through 66 regular season games.^[23] In the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs, he added one goal in three games for the Marlies.^[24]

On July 2, 2024, Gambrell joined his fourth NHL organization in signing as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.^[23] After clearing waivers, Gambrell was assigned to Columbus' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, for the 2024–25 season.^[24]