James Van Riemsdyk is a professional ice hockey left winger for the Detroit Red Wings, known for his scoring ability and consistent performance across multiple NHL teams. After being selected second overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Draft, James Van Riemsdyk went on to establish himself as a premier scoring threat in the National Hockey League. Prior to his professional debut, he honed his skills playing college ice hockey for the University of New Hampshire for two seasons, where he led the team in scoring during his sophomore year with an impressive 17 goals and 23 assists. Signing an entry-level contract with the Flyers in 2009, Van Riemsdyk made his NHL debut and recorded his first NHL point on October 2, 2009, against the Carolina Hurricanes, later scoring his first NHL goal on October 24, 2009, against the Florida Panthers.
He achieved his 500th career NHL point on February 21, 2021, demonstrating consistent performance across his extensive career. Most recently, Van Riemsdyk signed with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2023, where he reached the significant milestone of playing his 1,000th NHL game on March 5, 2024. He later joined the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 15, 2024, and subsequently signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1, 2025, for his 17th NHL season. Throughout his career, Van Riemsdyk has consistently represented the United States in international tournaments, including the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, showcasing his leadership and skill on a global stage.