Kevin Fiala
A Swiss winger with explosive speed and slick hands who has become a dynamic offensive force in the NHL.
Born 1996 (age 30)·Swiss ice hockey player·Birthday: July 22·Millennials
Biography
Kevin Fiala's hockey journey is a story of European refinement meeting North American intensity. Hailing from Switzerland, he honed his craft in the Swedish Hockey League with HV71, displaying a rare combination of puck skill and pace that made him a top prospect. Drafted 11th overall by Nashville in 2014, his transition to the smaller NHL rinks was a process of adapting his creative flair to a faster, more physical game. A trade to the Minnesota Wild in 2019 proved catalytic; unleashed in a top-six role, Fiala erupted for an 85-point season, establishing himself as a primary scorer. His subsequent move to the Los Angeles Kings placed him at the center of their offensive resurgence, where his ability to drive play and generate chances from the wing has been indispensable. Fiala plays with a noticeable edge and confidence, a reflection of his path from a highly-touted European teen to a proven NHL star who consistently tilts the ice in his team's favor.
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.
Kevin was born in 1996, 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 Kevin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Kevin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
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
2012Could drive
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
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Recorded a career-high 85 points (33 goals, 52 assists) in the 2021-22 season with the Minnesota Wild.
- Was selected 11th overall by the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
- Helped lead the Los Angeles Kings to consecutive playoff appearances following his acquisition in 2022.
- Represented Switzerland in multiple IIHF World Championships, often serving as a key offensive player.
Did You Know?
He played professional men's hockey in Sweden's top league (SHL) as a 17-year-old.
His older sister, Nina, is also a professional ice hockey player who has played for the Swiss national team.
During the 2020 NHL pandemic playoffs, he lived in a bubble hotel with his pet parrot, Louie.
He wears jersey number 22 in honor of his childhood idol, Swedish forward Peter Forsberg.
“I play with speed and skill; that's my game, creating chances every shift.”
