James van Riemsdyk
A towering power forward who leveraged his net-front presence into a long, productive NHL career defined by clutch playoff goals.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: May 4·Millennials
Biography
James van Riemsdyk’s path to the NHL was preordained from his teenage years in New Jersey, where his size and hands made him a standout. Selected second overall by Philadelphia in 2007, he brought an immediate, mature offensive game, using his 6'3" frame not for intimidation but as a precise tool for deflections and rebounds. His career became a study in consistency, with productive stints in Toronto and a return to Philadelphia, where he became a fixture on the power play. While never a flashy superstar, JVR’s value was in his reliability; he was a player coaches could deploy in front of the net and trust to make the gritty play. His longevity, surpassing 1,000 games and 600 points, speaks to a professional who adapted his game over a decade and a half, remaining a potent offensive weapon deep into his thirties with Detroit.
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.
James was born in 1989, 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 James Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
James's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
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
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 2nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
- Scored a career-high 36 goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017-18 season.
- Played in over 1,000 regular-season NHL games, a milestone of durability and performance.
- Recorded 40 points in 66 career NHL playoff games, including key goals for Philadelphia and Toronto.
Did You Know?
His brother, Trevor van Riemsdyk, is also an NHL defenseman, and they were briefly teammates on the Carolina Hurricanes.
He played just one season of college hockey at the University of New Hampshire before turning professional.
He represented the United States at the 2011 IIHF World Championship.
“You have to be a student of the game, always looking for an edge to create offense.”
