Stu Bickel


Stuart Richard Bickel is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild.

Playing career

On July 2, 2008, the Anaheim Ducks signed Bickel, an undrafted free agent, to a three-year contract. In the 2010–11 season, on November 23, 2010, Bickel was traded by the Ducks to the New York Rangers in exchange for fellow defenseman, Nigel Williams. After starting the 2011-12 season with the AHL Connecticut Whale, Bickel was called up to the Rangers on December 18, 2011. He made his NHL debut on December 20, 2011, in a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center, recording an assist in the game for his first NHL point.
The Rangers re-signed Bickel to a two-year contract on July 1, 2012. He started the delayed 2012–13 season with the Rangers after the NHL lockout, however after only 16 games he was placed on waivers and assigned to AHL affiliate, the Whale and Wolf Pack for the remainder of his two-year contract.
On July 1, 2014, Bickel signed a one-year two way contract with the Minnesota Wild. Bickel was assigned initially to AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild to begin the 2014–15 season, however he made his return to the NHL for the first time since 2012, appearing in 9 games with Minnesota with 1 assist.
As an unsigned free agent over the off-season, Bickel accepted an invitation to the St. Louis Blues training camp on a professional try-out. After he was unable to earn a contract with the Blues, and their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, Bickel signed a professional try-out with the San Diego Gulls on October 9, 2015.
Bickel in his 10th and final professional season, made just 4 appearances with the San Diego Gulls in the 2017–18 AHL season.

Coaching career

Having ended his professional career, for the 2018–19 season, Bickel accepted an assistant coaching role for the University of Minnesota hockey team.

Career statistics