Nic Kerdiles wasn't just another name on a roster. If you grew up in Orange County, California, he was basically the local kid who actually made it. Most people know him today because of the tabloid headlines or the tragic news from 2023, but if we’re talking about Nic Kerdiles hockey history, there’s a much deeper story about a guy who broke barriers before injuries and life took him in a completely different direction.
He was the first player raised in Orange County to ever suit up for the Anaheim Ducks. Think about that for a second. In a region where hockey was once a niche sport played in strip-mall rinks, Nic was the proof that the "California kid" experiment worked. He didn't just play; he dominated the path to the pros.
The Rise of the Irvine Native
Nic’s journey started way before the bright lights of the Honda Center. He was a standout for the LA Selects, a youth program that was starting to put California on the map. He eventually moved to Michigan to join the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP). This is where the best of the best go.
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While with Team USA, Kerdiles wasn't just a passenger. He helped the U-18 squad bag two gold medals. He was playing alongside future NHL stars and holding his own—often outshining them. By the time the 2012 NHL Entry Draft rolled around, the Anaheim Ducks didn't have to look far. They took him in the second round, 36th overall.
Honestly, the hype was real. He headed to the University of Wisconsin and basically tore it up. In two seasons with the Badgers, he put up 71 points in 60 games. He was the MVP of the 2013 WCHA Tournament. He looked like a "can't-miss" power forward with a high hockey IQ.
Transitioning to the Pros
After his sophomore year, Nic signed his entry-level deal. He debuted with the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL and it looked like he was on the fast track. But hockey is a brutal game. It's not just about talent; it's about timing and, unfortunately, health.
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- 2014-2016: He spent these years grinding in the AHL with Norfolk and later the San Diego Gulls.
- The Debut: February 22, 2017. He finally stepped onto the ice for the Ducks against the Boston Bruins.
- Playoff Impact: He actually played four playoff games for the Ducks in 2017, recording his first (and only) NHL point—an assist.
The Injury Plague and the Winnipeg Trade
You've probably heard the saying that the best ability is availability. Nic struggled with that. He dealt with a nasty concussion in 2016 that sidelined him for months. In the high-speed world of pro hockey, every missed month is a mountain you have to climb just to get back to zero.
The Ducks eventually traded him to the Winnipeg Jets in 2018 for Chase De Leo. It felt like a fresh start was exactly what he needed. But the injuries followed him. He played only three games for the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate) before his body essentially told him it was over. At just 24 years old, the dream was fading.
It’s easy to look at his NHL stats—three regular-season games, zero goals—and think he didn't make it. But that's a narrow way to look at a career. He was a point-per-game player in college and a top-six threat in the AHL. He was an elite athlete whose ceiling was chopped off by physical toll.
Life After the Rink: Real Estate and Reality TV
When the hockey stopped, Nic didn't just disappear. He moved to Nashville and pivoted. A lot of athletes struggle with "the gap"—that void when the cheering stops. Nic, however, jumped into real estate.
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He joined Compass and became a massive success in the Nashville market. We're talking $12 million in sales in his first year. He used that same discipline he learned on the ice to navigate the housing market.
Then came the celebrity side of things. His relationship and engagement with Savannah Chrisley brought him a different kind of fame. For a few years, he was a regular on Chrisley Knows Best. He went from the "hockey guy" to a "reality star" in the eyes of the general public. It was a weird transition, but he handled the spotlight with a lot of grace, even when the relationship eventually ended in 2020.
The Tragic End in Nashville
On September 23, 2023, the news hit that Nic Kerdiles had died in a motorcycle accident in Nashville. He was only 29.
According to police reports, he ran a stop sign early in the morning and struck the side of an SUV. It was a sudden, jarring end for a guy who seemed to have finally found his footing in his "second life" after sports.
The hockey world's reaction was immediate. The Ducks released a statement calling him a "beloved" member of the organization. Former teammates spoke about his infectious personality. It wasn't just PR fluff; people really liked him. He was a guy who stayed humble despite the early accolades.
What We Can Learn from His Career
Nic Kerdiles’ hockey career is a case study in the fine margins of professional sports.
- The Path isn't Linear: You can be the best player in your state and still face a "wall" in the pros.
- Health is Everything: Without the concussions, we might be talking about a 500-game NHL veteran.
- Identity Beyond Sports: Nic proved you can be successful after the jersey comes off. His success in real estate showed a level of maturity many former players struggle to find.
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s that the numbers on a back of a hockey card rarely tell the whole story of the person. Nic Kerdiles was a pioneer for California hockey and a guy who refused to be defined solely by his setbacks.
For those looking to honor his legacy or understand the grind of a pro athlete, the best next step is to look into the Anaheim Ducks Foundation or youth hockey programs in Southern California. These organizations continue to support the path Nic paved for local kids who want to swap the surfboard for a pair of skates.