Noel Acciari Explained

Noel Acciari
Birth Date:1 December 1991
Birth Place:Johnston, Rhode Island, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:205
Position:Center
Shoots:Right
League:NHL
Team:Pittsburgh Penguins
Former Teams:Boston Bruins
Florida Panthers
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2015

Noel Acciari (born December 1, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey center for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, and Toronto Maple Leafs. As an amateur he attended Providence College and played NCAA Division I hockey with their team, the Providence Friars. In 2015 he helped the Friars win their first ever NCAA National Championship.

Playing career

Amateur

As a youth, Acciari played in the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from South Shore.[1] Acciari attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, where he won the state championship in his freshman year in 2007 and was named team captain in 2009.[2]

He then joined the Kent School team in Kent, Connecticut, and played for them for two years before enrolling at Providence College in his senior year to play NCAA Division I hockey with the Providence Friars.[3] He was named the team's co-captain.[4] That season, Acciari helped his team capture the 2015 NCAA National Championship, the school's first ever championship,[5] and his outstanding play was recognized when he was named Hockey East's Best Defensive Forward.[4] He played three seasons with Providence, registering 32 goals, 33 assists, 65 points in 113 games.[6]

Professional

Boston Bruins

An undrafted free agent, on June 8, 2015, the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) signed Acciari to a two-year entry-level contract.[7] He was assigned to Boston's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins, to being the 2015–16 season.[6] He played in 45 games in the AHL, scoring seven goals and 19 points.[8] In the midst of the 2015–16 NHL season, on March 1, 2016, Acciari was called up to Boston for the first time. He made his NHL debut that night in a home game against the Calgary Flames.[9] He registered his first NHL point on March 7, assisting on Brett Connolly's first period goal in a 5–4 victory over the Florida Panthers.[10] He established himself on Boston's fourth line, playing with Landon Ferraro and Brett Connolly.[11] He played in 19 games with Boston, registering just the one point. He was returned to Providence at the end of Boston's season and after Providence made the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs.[12] Acciari appeared in three playoff games for Providence, scoring one goal and three points as they were eliminated by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the opening round.[13] [14]

The following season in 2016–17, Acciari made the NHL Bruins out of training camp. He appeared in 12 games for Boston, registering two points before suffering a lower-body injury on November 7.[15] [16] Upon returning from injury he was assigned to Providence on December 7.[14] [16] He was recalled on December 10,[17] but was returned to Providence on January 6, 2017, after playing in another seven games with Boston.[18] He was recalled again in March on an emergency basis, but this was later changed to a full recall on March 20.[19] It would not be until March 28, that Acciari would score his first NHL goal against goaltender Pekka Rinne in a home game against the Nashville Predators; Acciari scored the third Bruins goal en route to a 4–1 regulation-time Bruins win.[20] [21] In 30 games with Providence, he scored six goals and 14 points and with the Bruins during the regular season, he added two goals and five points in 29 games.[8] Boston made the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, but Acciari missed the first couple of playoff games due to an injury suffered in the last week of the regular season. He returned for Game 3 of the first-round series versus the Ottawa Senators.[22] He made his NHL playoff debut on April 17 in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Senators, but scored his first playoff goal against Craig Anderson in the second period.[23] He appeared in four games with the one goal as the Bruins were eliminated by the Senators.[8] [24] On June 28, Acciari signed a two-year contract extension with Boston.[25]

He began the 2017–18 season with Boston and broke his finger in the season opener against the Nashville Predators in October, requiring surgery.[26] He returned to the lineup on November 10[27] and helped solidify the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Tim Schaller.[28] He played the entire season in Boston for the first time, appearing in 60 games, scoring ten goals and 11 points.[8] The Bruins made the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs and Acciari registered a multi-point game on April 21 in Game 5 of the first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He assisted on Kuraly's second period goal, before adding his own in the third period in a 5–4 loss.[29] He appeared in 12 playoff games, scoring the one goal and two points as the Bruins were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round.[8] [30] Following the loss to the Lightning, Acciari underwent surgery in the off-season for a sports hernia that he had been playing with.[31] In the 2018–19 season, Acciari appeared in 72 games with Boston, scoring six goals and 14 points.[8] The Bruins made the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs and the team went on a deep run, making it to the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals against the St. Louis Blues.[32] Acciari scored two goals and four points in 19 playoff games as the Bruins were defeated by the Blues in the final.[8] [32] In the playoffs, Acciari played through a broken sternum and injured foot and hand.[33]

Florida Panthers

As an unrestricted free agent, Acciari signed a three-year, $5 million contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2019.[34] Following the signing, Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon praised Acciari's versatile play and physicality, saying: "This guy's going to make people accountable, and make our own players accountable as well. He's a versatile player. He will take some of the burden away from others by taking D-zone faceoffs, killing penalties and playing that physical role. He gives our fourth line a little more spirit and passion."[35] He made his Panthers debut in the season opening loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 3.[36] In the next game on October 5, also against the Lightning, he scored his first goal with Florida on Andrei Vasilevskiy in a 4–3 victory.[37] On December 16, he marked his first hat trick, scoring three goals on Anders Nilsson in a 6–1 win over the Ottawa Senators.[38] In the following game on December 20, he scored another hat trick in a 7–4 win over the Dallas Stars.[39] Playing on a line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck, he scored the first two goals on Ben Bishop who was pulled by the Stars and replaced with Anton Khudobin. While on the penalty kill, Acciari got the puck and was hooked by Stars defenseman John Klingberg. Acciari was awarded the first penalty shot of his career and he completed the hat trick, scoring on the play on Khudobin. This marked only the second time in franchise history other than Pavel Bure in 2001, for a Panthers player to mark hat tricks in consecutive games.[39] [40] He registered a fourth point in the game, assisting on Trocheck's second period goal.[39] On February 11, 2020, Acciari recorded a three-point game, scoring one goal and assisting on two others in a 5–3 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Due to injuries, he centered a line with two defensemen, Mike Matheson and Mark Pysyk, and the line combined for eight points in the game.[41] In the 2019–20 season, he tallied a career-best 20 goals and 27 points through 66 games before the NHL suspended the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, 2020.[8] [42] Since the Panthers were in a playoff position when the season suspended, they were among the teams selected to play in the qualifying round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, played in August 2020.[43] Acciari appeared in four playoff games with the Panthers, going scoreless, which were eliminated by the New York Islanders in the opening qualifying round.[44]

In the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Acciari made 41 appearances for Florida, scoring four goals and 11 points.[8] On March 6, 2021, he registered his third hat trick against Pekka Rinne in a 6–2 victory over the Nashville Predators.[45] The Panthers made the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and he appeared in six games, going scoreless, as the team was eliminated in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.[46] He began the 2021–22 season on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral injury in a preseason exhibition game against the Lightning on October 5. [47] The injury required surgery and after recovering, he was assigned to the Panthers' AHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers for a two-game conditioning stint. He was recalled on February 5, 2022,[8] [48] and his season debut on February 18 in a 6–2 victory over the Minnesota Wild.[49] He played in 20 games with the Panthers, scoring three goals and eight points as the team won the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in franchise history as the best squad in the league.[50] In the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, he played in nine games, going scoreless, as the Panthers were upset in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.[8] [51]

St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs

Following the conclusion of his contract with the Panthers, Acciari left as a free agent to sign a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 13, 2022.[52] He made his Blues debut in the season opening victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 15.[53] He scored his first goal for St. Louis on October 29 against Jake Allen in a 7–4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.[54] He skated in 54 games for the Blues during the 2022–23 season, recording 10 goals and eight assists.[8]

However, the Blues were having a bad season and chose to rebuild their team.[55] On February 17, 2023, Acciari and forward Ryan O'Reilly were traded by the Blues to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a three-team trade also involving the Minnesota Wild.[56] The Maple Leafs acquired Acciari in order to strengthen their bottom six forwards.[55] He made his Maple Leafs debut on February 18 in a 5–1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.[57] He scored his first goal with Toronto in the next game on February 19 against Jaxson Stauber in a 5–3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.[58] Acciari finished with four goals and five points in 23 games with the Maple Leafs during the regular season and was one of Toronto's key penalty killers after arriving.[59] He scored the game winning goal in a 3–2 win over the New York Rangers in the Maple Leafs's final game of the season on April 13.[60] During the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Acciari broke his own 25-playoff game goalless drought when he scored the opening goal in Toronto's 4–3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.[61] The Maple Leafs eliminated the Lightning, but were defeated themselves by the Florida Panthers in the second round.[62] He appeared in 11 playoff games for Toronto, registering two goals.[8]

Pittsburgh Penguins

As an unrestricted free agent from the Maple Leafs, Acciari signed a three-year, $6 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2023.[59] He made his Penguins debut in the 2023–24 season opening 4–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on October 10.[63] He registered his first point for Pittsburgh on November 4 assisting on Matt Nieto's first goal of the season in a 10–2 drubbing of the San Jose Sharks.[64] He scored his first goal for the team against Adin Hill in a 3–0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.[65] On February 8, 2024, in a 3–0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, he was struck in the head by Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon and suffered a concussion. Dillon was suspended for three games for the hit.[66] Acciari returned to the lineup on February 22 after missing six games due to the effects of the concussion.[67] [68] He made 55 appearances for Pittsburgh, scoring four goals and seven points as the Penguins missed the playoffs.[8] [69]

Personal life

Acciari was born to parents Michael and Edna Acciari and grew up the middle child of three brothers.[70] Acciari married Kaitlyn Chisholm on July 14, 2018, in Rhode Island.[71] The couple have three children.[72] [73] [74]

Career statistics

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2007–08Bishop Hendricken High SchoolHS-RI
2008–09Bishop Hendricken High SchoolHS-RI
2009–10Kent SchoolHS-Prep2618203810
2010–11Kent SchoolHS-Prep2731215222
2012–13Providence CollegeHE33651126
2013–14Providence CollegeHE3911112220
2014–15Providence CollegeHE4115173226
2015–16Providence BruinsAHL45712191931234
2015–16Boston BruinsNHL190118
2016–17Boston BruinsNHL292351641012
2016–17Providence BruinsAHL30681411
2017–18Boston BruinsNHL60101119121122
2018–19Boston BruinsNHL72681447192240
2019–20Florida PanthersNHL66207272140000
2020–21Florida PanthersNHL414711960000
2021–22Florida PanthersNHL203581190000
2021–22Charlotte CheckersAHL20000
2022–23St. Louis BluesNHL541081810
2022–23Toronto Maple LeafsNHL2341511112022
2023–24Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL5543710
NHL totals4396344107152656396

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA. 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2019-02-16.
  2. Web site: NEW: Boston Bruins Sign PC's Acciari to 2 Year Deal . golocalprov.com . October 26, 2018 . June 2, 2015.
  3. Web site: The Providence College Hockey All-Rhode Island Team . golocalprov.com . McMahon . Robert . September 22, 2024 . November 10, 2024.
  4. Bruins ink NCAA Champion and defensive forward of the year Acciari . . Clinton . Jared . 2015-06-09 . 2015-06-09.
  5. Web site: Bruins sign NCCA Champ Noel Acciari whose motor never stops . . 2015-06-08 . 2015-06-08.
  6. Web site: Boston Bruins Send Former Friar Acciari Down to P-Bruins . Calabro . Joe . golocalprov.com . September 28, 2015 . November 10, 2024.
  7. News: Bruins sign Providence College forward Noel Acciari . . 2015-06-08 . 2015-06-08 . subscription.
  8. Web site: Noel Acciari . hockeydb.com . November 10, 2024.
  9. Web site: Cox. Zach. Bruins Promote Noel Acciari From Providence; Forward Set To Debut Vs. Flames. NESN. 2016-03-01. March 1, 2016.
  10. Web site: Bruins top Panthers on Stempniak OT goal . National Hockey League . March 8, 2016 . November 10, 2024.
  11. Web site: Noel Acciari is making difference on Bruins’ fourth line . Boston Globe . Fluto . Shinzawa . March 13, 2016 . November 10, 2024 . subscription.
  12. Web site: Acciari, Vatrano return to Providence Bruins . Kayata . Joe . . April 12, 2016 . November 10, 2024.
  13. Web site: Calder Cup Playoffs: Guentzel's goal in double overtime lifts Penguins to series sweep . GoErie . Lakso . Seth . April 24, 2016 . November 10, 2024.
  14. Web site: Bruins Assign Noel Acciari To Providence . Boston Bruins . NHL.com . December 7, 2016 . November 10, 2024.
  15. Web site: Bruins Issue Update On Noel Acciari . Boston Bruins . NHL.com . November 10, 2016 . November 10, 2024.
  16. Web site: Bruins Send Johnston Native Noel Acciari to Providence to Continue Rehab . Providence Now . Bell . Ken . December 7, 2016 . November 10, 2024.
  17. Web site: Bruins Recall Acciari & Heinen; Assign Blidh . Boston Bruins . NHL.com . December 10, 2016 . November 10, 2024.
  18. Web site: Bruins Assign Noel Acciari To Providence . Boston Bruins . NHL.com . January 6, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  19. Web site: Bruins Move Acciari To Regular Recall; Assign Kuraly . Boston Bruins . NHL.com . March 20, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  20. Web site: Acciari's First Career Goal Helps Bruins Over Preds . Russo . Eric . March 28, 2017 . NHL.com . Boston Bruins . March 29, 2017.
  21. Web site: Bruins post win over Predators . . 2017-03-28 . 2017-03-28.
  22. Web site: David Krejci, Noel Acciari return to lineup with Bruins for Game 3 . ESPN . MacDonald . Joe . April 17, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  23. Web site: Tip-in by Ryan lifts Senators over Bruins 4-3 in overtime . ESPN . Associated Press . April 17, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  24. Web site: Senators Eliminate Bruins With Game 6 Overtime Win . CBS News . April 23, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  25. Web site: Bruins Sign Noel Acciari To 2-Year Contract. Boston Bruins. NHL.com. June 28, 2017. June 28, 2017.
  26. Web site: Boston Bruins injuries: Noel Acciari to miss six weeks with broken finger . The Republican . Ryan . Conor . October 7, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  27. Web site: Bruins’ Marchand returns, talks Babcock, ‘poking’ Matthews tweet . Sportsnet . Fox . Luke . November 10, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  28. Web site: Bruins find a line to share the defensive workload . The Patriot Ledger . Loftus . Mike . December 22, 2017 . November 10, 2024.
  29. Web site: Maple Leafs beat Bruins 4-3, avoid elimination in Game 5 . ESPN . Associated Press . April 21, 2018 . November 10, 2024.
  30. Web site: Lightning 3, Bruins 1: Boston eliminated from playoffs . The Providence Journal . Associated Press . Goodall . Fred . May 6, 2018 . November 10, 2024.
  31. Web site: As Noel Acciari heals from offseason surgery, he pines for Bruins' season to start . The Athletic . McDonald . Joe . July 27, 2018 . November 10, 2024.
  32. Web site: Worth the Wait . Sportsnet . Rutherford . Kristina . November 10, 2024.
  33. Web site: Pain, anguish and pride, through the Bruins’ eyes . The Athletic . Fluto . Shinzawa . June 14, 2019 . November 10, 2024 . subscription.
  34. Web site: Panthers Agree to Terms on 3-Year Contract with Forward Noel Acciari . Florida Panthers . NHL.com . March 6, 2023 . July 1, 2019.
  35. Web site: Olive . Jameson . Acciari Expected to Bring 'Spirit and Passion' to Panthers Bottom-Six . Florida Panthers . NHL.com . March 6, 2023 . July 9, 2019.
  36. Web site: Kucherov’s goal, assist help Lightning beat Panthers 5-2 . ESPN . Associated Press . October 3, 2019 . November 10, 2024.
  37. Web site: Hoffman hat trick leads Panthers over Lightning . ESPN . Associated Press . October 5, 2019 . November 10, 2024.
  38. Web site: Acciari gets hat trick, Panthers beat Senators 6-1 . ESPN . Associated Press . December 16, 2019 . November 10, 2024.
  39. Web site: Acciari has second straight hat trick, Panthers beat Stars . ESPN . Associated Press . December 20, 2019 . November 10, 2024.
  40. Web site: Another Acciari hat trick, another big offensive night, another Florida Panthers win . Miami Herald . McPherson . Jordan . December 20, 2019 . November 10, 2024.
  41. Web site: Panthers snap 3-game skid with win over Devils . Sportsnet . Associated Press . February 11, 2020 . November 10, 2024.
  42. Web site: NHL suspends season due to coronavirus . CNBC . Young . Jabari . March 12, 2020 . October 21, 2024.
  43. Web site: NHL bubble, explained: A guide to the hub city rules, teams & schedule for Edmonton, Toronto . Gatto . Tom . The Sporting News . August 14, 2020 . November 10, 2024.
  44. Web site: Beauvillier scores twice as Islanders eliminate Panthers in 4 games . CBC Sports . Associated Press . August 7, 2020 . November 10, 2024.
  45. Web site: Noel Acciari gets hat trick as Panthers beat Predators 6-2 . ESPN . Associated Press . March 6, 2021 . November 10, 2024.
  46. Web site: Panthers lose to Lightning in first round due to goaltending issues . National Hockey League . Rosen . Dan . NHL.com . May 27, 2021 . November 10, 2024.
  47. Web site: 'He's hungry to play': How Noel Acciari sped up his rehab to return to Florida Panthers . Miami Herald . McPherson . Jordan . February 14, 2022 . November 11, 2024.
  48. Web site: Panthers' Noel Acciari: Recalled from conditioning . CBS Sports . February 5, 2022 . November 10, 2024.
  49. Web site: Veteran center Noel Acciari brings injection to loaded Florida Panthers . The Palm Beach Post . Guy . Colby . February 21, 2022 . November 10, 2024.
  50. Web site: Florida Panthers clinch franchise's first Presidents' Trophy, top seed in playoffs . Shilton . Karen . ESPN . April 29, 2022 . November 10, 2024.
  51. Web site: Lightning complete sweep of Panthers with Game 4 victory . . The Canadian Press . May 23, 2022 . November 10, 2024.
  52. Web site: Acciari signs one-year deal with Blues . . NHL.com . July 13, 2022 . July 13, 2022.
  53. Web site: Barbashev and Neighbours goals lift Blues over Blue Jackets . ESPN . Associated Press . October 15, 2022 . November 10, 2024.
  54. Web site: Dvorak has hat trick in third period for Canadiens in win against Blues . National Hockey League . NHL.com . Korac . Lou . October 29, 2022 . November 10, 2024.
  55. Web site: Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire O'Reilly and Acciari in Three-Team Trade . The Hockey News . Stephens . Mike . Tovell . Jonathan . February 17, 2023 . November 10, 2024.
  56. Web site: O'Reilly, Acciari traded to Maple Leafs from Blues for draft picks . . February 18, 2023.
  57. Web site: Bunting scores twice, Leafs down Canadiens in Toronto debuts for O'Reilly, Acciari . Sportsnet . The Canadian Press . February 18, 2023 . November 10, 2024.
  58. Web site: Kane has hat trick, assist in Blackhawks win against Maple Leafs . National Hockey League . NHL.com . Miles . Bruce . February 19, 2023 . November 10, 2024.
  59. Web site: Penguins sign forward Noel Acciari to a three-year contract . . July 1, 2023 . July 1, 2023.
  60. Web site: Acciari scores late winner as Leafs beat Rangers . TSN . The Canadian Press . April 13, 2023 . October 11, 2023.
  61. Web site: Maple Leafs' Noel Acciari: Snaps 25-game playoff goal drought . CBS Sports . April 23, 2023 . October 11, 2023.
  62. Web site: Maple Leafs eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoffs after OT loss to Panthers in Game 5 . Sportsnet . The Canadian Press . May 12, 2023 . October 11, 2023.
  63. Web site: Connor Bedard picks up an assist in his NHL debut as the Blackhawks rally past Crosby, Penguins 4-2 . ESPN . Associated Press . October 11, 2023 . November 10, 2024.
  64. Web site: Penguins win 10-2, hand Sharks record-tying 11th straight loss to start season . ESPN . Associated Press . November 5, 2023 . November 10, 2024.
  65. Web site: Alex Nedeljkovic helps Penguins shut out Golden Knights, 3-0 . ESPN . Associated Press . November 20, 2023 . November 10, 2024.
  66. Web site: Penguins' Acciari diagnosed with concussion following hit from Jets' Dillon . Sportsnet . February 8, 2024 . November 10, 2024.
  67. Web site: Penguins' Noel Acciari Addresses Dirty Hit That Injured Him . The Hockey News . Horwat . Nick . February 21, 2024 . November 10, 2024.
  68. Web site: Slumping sides clash as Canadiens take on Penguins . Field Level Media . Reuters . February 22, 2024 . November 10, 2024.
  69. Web site: Penguins Eliminated From Playoffs . The Hockey News . Horwat . Nick . April 16, 2024 . November 10, 2024.
  70. Web site: Johnston's Acciari leads Friars to Frozen Four . Johnston Sunrise . Fontaine . Pete . October 26, 2018 . April 9, 2015.
  71. Web site: Kashdan . Rachel . Real Wedding: Kaitlyn Chisholm & Noel Acciari . . October 25, 2018 . October 18, 2018.
  72. noelacciari . Acciari . Noel . Welcome to the world Greyson Drew Acciari! . CCcqtCGl8MH/?img_index=1 . July 10, 2020 . November 10, 2024.
  73. Sutton Jeanne Acciari 4/11/2022. . noelacciari . Acciari . Noel . CcT7LzFLOIk/?img_index=1 .
  74. noelacciari . Acciari . Noel . DAHwFztO8HE/?img_index=1 . September 19, 2024 . November 10, 2024.
  75. Web site: Acciari named Hockey East defensive forward of the year . Brown . Jeremy . . 2015-03-19 . 2015-03-19.