Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Neal Pionk was born July 29, 1995 Omaha, Nebraska. He is a defenseman in the National Hockey League.

On May 1, 2017, Pionk signed a two-year, $3.55 million contract with the New York Rangers of the NHL and made his NHL debut blocking three shots in a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on February 9, 2018. Pionk scored his first NHL goal on March 24 against the Buffalo Sabres, the culmination of a stretch of 13 points in 12 games. Despite playing on a team that struggled defensively throughout the 2017–18 season, Pionk finished his rookie year with 14 points in 28 games, and he received frequent playing time down the final stretch of the season. Pionk joined the Rangers full-time during the 2018–19 season. He recorded six goals and 26 points in 73 games, leading all Rangers' defencemen with 13 power play points. On June 17, 2019, Pionk was traded to the Winnipeg Jets. On July 21, the Jets signed Pionk to a two-year, $6 million contract extension. On August 11, 2021, Pionk signed a four-year, $23.5 million contract with the Jets.