While playing for the New Jersey Rockets of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) during the 2010–11 season, Aston-Reese also appeared in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He played two games for the Des Moines Buccaneers, as well as 25 games for the Lincoln Stars. Aston-Reese joined the Stars full-time for the 2011–12 season. In 53 games, he recorded 5 goals and 10 assists. After one more season with the Stars, Aston-Reese joined the Division 1 Northeastern Huskies. He played for the club for four seasons. During the 2015–16 season, the Huskies won the Hockey East Tournament championship.[1] The following season, Aston-Reese was named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team, NCAA Division I First All-American Team, and the Hockey East Player of the Year.[2]
On March 14, 2017, Aston-Reese, as an undrafted player, signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[3] He joined the Penguins American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the remainder of the season, recording eight points in ten games.
Aston-Reese started the 2017–18 season in the minors, but made his NHL debut on February 3, 2018, against the New Jersey Devils.[4] He recorded his first two NHL goals in a 6–3 win over the Ottawa Senators on February 13.[5] On February 27, Aston-Reese suffered an upper-body injury during practice.[6] He returned to the Penguins' lineup on March 27 after missing 13 games.[7] Aston-Reese made his postseason debut on April 11, 2018, against the Philadelphia Flyers.[8] On April 18, he recorded his first career playoff point, assisting on a goal by Riley Sheahan.[9] During Game 3 of Round 2 against the Washington Capitals, Aston-Reese was checked by Tom Wilson, resulting in a broken jaw and a concussion.[10] Wilson was suspended three playoff games for the hit.[11]
Prior to the beginning of the 2018–19 season, Aston-Reese was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.[12] However, he was called to the NHL on November 6, after he recorded six goals in 11 games.[13] Aston-Reese managed to score six goals and eleven points in his next 30 games, but he broke his hand in a game against the Florida Panthers on January 8, 2019.[14]
On July 22, 2019, the Penguins re-signed Aston-Reese to a two-year, $2 million contract extension.[15]
As a restricted free agent after the 2020-2021 season, Aston-Reese filed for salary arbitration with the Penguins. The arbitration hearing was scheduled for August 23, 2021.[16] On August 5, 2021, the Penguins re-signed Aston-Reese to a one-year, $1.725 million contract, avoiding the arbitration hearing.[17]
Ahead of the 2022–23 NHL season, Aston-Reese joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for a professional tryout (PTO).[19] Following a successful pre-season showing, Aston-Reese was signed to a one-year, $840,000 contract with the Maple Leafs on October 9, 2022.[20] He got his first goal as a Maple Leaf in their 5–2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 2.[21] He finished the season with ten goals and 14 points in 77 games and took part in the Maple Leafs' first postseason series win since 2004.[22]
Detroit Red Wings
An unrestricted free agent in the offseason, Aston-Reese signed a professional try-out agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes on September 14, 2023.[23] However, on October 6, Aston-Reese was one of six players released from their PTOs by the Hurricanes.[24] Two days later, on October 8, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings.[22] He opened the 2023–24 season with Detroit's AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before he was recalled by the Red Wings on October 14, 2023.[25] He returned to Grand Rapids on October 15 without playing a game for Detroit.[26] He was recalled again by Detroit on December 11 on an emergency basis after a series of injuries to Red Wings forwards.[27] He made his season debut with the Red Wings that day in a 6–3 loss to the Dallas Stars. He was sent back to Grand Rapids on December 15.[28]
Columbus Blue Jackets
On July 1, 2024, Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.[29] However, before playing a game for Vegas, Aston-Reese was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 7, 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 season.[30]
Personal life
Aston-Reese was born on August 10, 1994, in the New York City borough of Staten Island. He is the third child of William Sr. and Carolyn (née Buckheit). He has two older siblings: a sister, and a brother named William Jr.[31] He attended PS 45 in West Brighton and Morris Intermediate School in Brighton Heights, New York, then enrolled at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, where he played his freshman year [32]
Aston-Reese was a graphic design major in college and occasionally worked in the Penguins' front office on the design of gameday programs.[33]
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