The Journey Matters: Marc Del Gaizo Learns To Trust The Process

For a business built on patience, opportunity, and perseverance, professional hockey has an allure for those who have played their entire life. For Marc Del Gaizo, his journey is not linear and includes NHL games, different organizations, new teammates, and proving himself at every level.

Now with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the defenseman is in his sixth full professional season and brings those experiences with him and understands that the line isn’t always a straight path. “Just be patient. Obviously, I want to play NHL. I was with Nashville, and last year I was in Laval for the full year. I’m starting here in Hartford, just being patient and getting out there. Pro hockey is a business, and there are a lot of things that are just totally out of your control. When I was younger, I probably wish I knew that.”

Shaped by years in professional hockey, Del Gaizo knows where performance matters, but circumstances are outside a player's control. The Nashville Predators selected Del Gaizo in the fourth round, 109th overall, in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He spent three seasons at the University of Massachusetts before becoming professional. In 90 collegiate games, he helped UMass reach the NCAA national championship in the 2020-2021 season. The transition to the professional world brought him opportunities to develop his game in the American Hockey League while working toward his dream goal.

In six seasons, Del Gaizo played for the Milwaukee Admirals, Laval Rocket, and now the Hartford Wolfpack. He has found ground as an offensively capable defenseman. He recorded a career year with 34 points in the 2023-2024 season, tallying eight goals and 26 assists. He led the team’s defensemen in assists and points. The 2025-2026 season was another career milestone for Del Gaizo. In 63 games played, he notched nine goals and 18 assists. He set a career high in goals and contributed from the blue line.

Having his look in the NHL, Del Gaizo dressed in 55 games with the Nashville Predators across two seasons. Those games gave him a clearer understanding of the level of play required to stay in the NHL.

Building a More Difficult Defenseman to Play Against

Becoming a complete defenseman means recognizing that production is only one part of the equation. Del Gaizo’s skating and ability to read plays are important strengths, but he wants to make it difficult for the opposing team to play against. “I think just being harder to play against. I think using my feet, to kill plays, being physical when the time presents itself, so I think those are the little things.”

That emphasis on his feet reflects his mobility in his game. His strong skating allows him to close the gaps, defend his space, and recover quickly. His approach incorporates anticipating what may happen next rather than reacting to the puck. “I think I'm a good skating, two-way defenseman. I can chip in offensively. I try to feel plays. When I can with my feet and my stick, I'm not afraid to get into guys physically, but at the same time rolling pucks quick, and my skating.” That combination gives Del Gaizo many ways to influence a game. He contributes offensively and disrupts plays before they become dangerous.

With all of that combined, he understands that physicality has a place in his game. The challenge is knowing when to engage and when to rely on positioning and use his mobility. His biggest strength reflects a quality that has followed him throughout his career “Probably just my competitiveness. I always fall back on that. The main trait is just being super competitive out there.”

You can’t mark competitiveness on the score sheet, but it shows in the smaller details. Board battels, recovery after a turnover, net defending, closing space on opponents. Moments like that are important for a defenseman who works to establish consistency and earn another opportunity at the NHL level.

Experience Has Changed His Perspective

Professional hockey comes with highs and lows. A player can earn an opportunity to face uncertainty. They can have a productive stretch of games followed by a dry stretch, all in the same season. Del Gaizo has experienced all of those moments to understand how to respond to adversity and enjoy success. “There are so many games, so many ups and downs throughout the season. As you get older, you learn to understand that. You gain experiences, and through those experiences, you gain knowledge. Now that I'm a little bit older, I can handle those things all the time.”

Maturity is what separates a young player who is just learning the professional lifestyle from a veteran who understands the demands. The schedule is relentless; learning to maintain confidence through the highs and lows requires a certain perspective and does not always guarantee the next opportunity. Del Gaizo’s experiences in Nashville, Milwaukee, and Laval have helped him learn from that perspective

The Importance of the Room

Beyond the individual statistics and personal player achievements, Del Gaizo knows that the culture in the locker room makes for a better team. He has played alongside great leaders in rooms, and credits Milwaukee Admirals Captain Kevin Gravel, as being the best one he has played under.

Gravel served as Captain of the Milwaukee Admirals while Del Gaizo wore the “A”. Watching how Gravel managed the room, gave him an example of effective leadership and what it is supposed to look like. “The way he mediates the room during games. He's always positive and lets the boys know what's actually happening, and he's really genuine. He keeps it light in the room. At the same time, he has presence and he's probably the best captain I've ever had.”

Combining accountability and approachability makes for an effective leader. They understand when the room needs a serious tone and when the tension needs to be eased. That balance can be valuable over a long season when the pressure, fatigue, and frustration can affect players.

As Del Gaizo starts a new chapter in Hartford, he sees that same importance in establishing a culture of respect and connectedness in the room. “Just a hardworking, blue-collar culture; I think everyone has a respect for each other. We talked about it the other day; there are guys that are wearing letters, and we have a lot of first-year guys. So everyone is just being cohesive with each other and creating a fun environment.”

Helping younger players adjust to professional hockey and having veterans share lessons that they have learned along the way can help adjustment periods.

For an AHL team that navigates a long season, a cohesive nature is a desirable quality. It influences how players respond when the season becomes difficult and support each other when the results do not go their way.

More Than the Game

Lessons taken from the rink, Del Gaizo has applied beyond the rink. He talks about controlling what is in your reach, and maintaining those relationships that are around him.

The relationships he has created have become the most meaningful part of his career. “Perseverance and sticking with it. The ups and downs, and I think that's a big thing that you can take in life. Just controlling what you can, and also the relationships with players.”

Moving through different teams, Del Gaizo has built connections with teammates in Milwaukee, Nashville, Laval, and now Hartford. Those relationships have remained important even after separating to different stages of careers.

Del Gaizo is preparing to get married next summer, and it has reminded him of how many people are a part of his life through the world of hockey. “I'm getting married next summer and just have so many teammates that are invited, and so many great teammates I've played with along the way, Milwaukee, Laval, and Nashville, and now here, something special with those relationships.”

It is a stark reminder that professional hockey is measured beyond games played, goals scored, or the opportunities that are earned. The game brings different backgrounds and sends them on different paths. The relationships will always remain through memories, and that is what makes the journey worthwhile

While the NHL dream remains in place for Del Gaizo, the challenge is now to focus on what he can control: his competitive nature, skating and instincts, and learning from those around him.