Yanni Gourde (born March 28, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, with whom he won back‑to‑back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Gourde is noted for his speed, versatility, and strong two‑way play.
Early Life and Junior Career
Yanni Gourde was born in Saint‑Georges, Quebec, Canada. He began playing hockey at a young age and participated in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a team from Lévis. Gourde played midget hockey for the Lévis Commandeurs before being selected in the 5th round, 122nd overall, of the 2011 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Draft by the Victoriaville Titan.
He made his QMJHL debut during the 2012–13 season and became a regular contributor with the Titan, recording 27 points (7 goals, 20 assists) in 58 games. Gourde was later traded to the Charlottetown Raiders (subsequently the Charlottetown Islanders) for the 2014–15 season, where he posted 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 58 games.
Professional Career
Minor Leagues
Undrafted by NHL teams, Gourde signed a three‑year entry‑level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 28, 2015, his 20th birthday. He began his professional career with the Lightning’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. Over the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, he developed a reputation as a fast, responsible depth forward, finishing the 2016–17 AHL regular season with 55 points (19 goals, 36 assists) in 71 games.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Gourde made his NHL debut on January 29, 2018, against the Florida Panthers. He recorded his first NHL point (an assist) on February 19, 2018, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. During the 2018–19 season, he split time between the NHL and AHL, appearing in 39 NHL games and scoring 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points.
The 2019–20 season marked Gourden’s emergence as a regular NHL contributor. He played in 70 regular‑season games, tallying 15 goals and 13 assists (28 points). Gourde made his postseason debut in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist as the Lightning captured their first championship in 62 years. He repeated as a Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay in the 2020–21 season, appearing in all 24 playoff games and registering 2 goals and 2 assists.
In the 2021–22 season, Gourde posted career‑high numbers with 20 goals and 21 assists (41 points) in 78 games. He was a key component of the Lightning’s third‑line unit, often deployed in defensive situations, penalty kills, and as a shutdown forward.
Seattle Kraken
On July 13, 2023, Gourde was traded to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2024 second‑round draft pick. He signed a five‑year, $22 million contract extension with Seattle on July 15, 2023. In his inaugural season with the Kraken (2023–24), Gourde continued his two‑way role, registering 13 goals and 18 assists (31 points) across 79 games while averaging 15:42 minutes of ice time per game.
International Play
Gourde has represented Canada at the junior level. He played for Team Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, appearing in four games and contributing one assist as Canada won the gold medal.
Playing Style
Gourde is often described as a “speedy, responsible forward” with strong defensive instincts. His strengths include quick acceleration, effective backchecking, and proficiency on the penalty kill. Coaches have highlighted his versatility, noting his ability to play centre or wing and to adapt to various line combinations.
Personal Life
Yanni Gourde is married to Mélanie Arsenault, and the couple has two children. He is known for his involvement in community initiatives, including youth hockey programs in his native Quebec and charitable events organized by his NHL clubs.
Career Statistics
Regular Season and Playoffs (NHL)
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | +/‑ | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017‑18 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018‑19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 39 | 9 | 9 | 18 | –2 | 12 |
| 2019‑20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 70 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 2 | 20 |
| 2020‑21 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 48 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 3 | 14 |
| 2021‑22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 78 | 20 | 21 | 41 | 5 | 28 |
| 2022‑23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 80 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 1 | 22 |
| 2023‑24 | Seattle Kraken | NHL | 79 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 2 | 24 |
(Playoff statistics omitted for brevity)
Awards and Honors
- Stanley Cup Champion – 2019–20, 2020–21 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- Gold Medal, World Junior Championships – 2015 (Team Canada)
References
- NHL.com player profile: Yanni Gourde
- Seattle Kraken official website – player biography
- Tampa Bay Lightning press releases and transaction archives
- Team Canada World Junior roster archives (2015)
This entry reflects information available up to the end of the 2023‑24 NHL season.
