Chris Kreider
A power-forward winger whose blistering speed and net-front dominance have made him a cornerstone of the New York Rangers' modern era.
Born 1991 (age 35)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: April 30·Millennials
Biography
Chris Kreider's NHL arrival was nothing short of cinematic, joining the New York Rangers straight from the college playoffs and immediately impacting a deep 2012 postseason run. His unique blend of size, explosive skating, and a willingness to plant himself in the goaltender's crease defined his game from the start. While his regular-season performances were solid, Kreider earned a reputation as a clutch playoff performer, using his physical tools to score crucial goals when the pressure was highest. Over a career spent entirely with the Rangers, he evolved from a raw talent into a veteran leader and a consistent scoring threat, embodying a power-forward style that is increasingly rare in the modern game. His longevity and loyalty have cemented his status as a fan favorite and a key architect of the team's identity for over a decade.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chris was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the New York Rangers franchise record for most career playoff goals.
- Played a key role in the Rangers' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, scoring important goals throughout the playoffs.
- Recorded multiple seasons of 30 or more goals, establishing himself as a consistent top-six scoring winger.
- Is one of the few players to debut in the NHL playoffs straight from college (Boston College) and score in his first game.
Did You Know?
He majored in English at Boston College and was known for being an avid reader.
He is a distant relative of the late actor Chris Farley.
He is deeply involved with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the charity of Madison Square Garden.
He is known for his meticulous preparation, including studying goaltenders' tendencies on an iPad before games.
“My job is to get to the front of the net and make it difficult.”
