Who Scored First Career NHL Goals at the Start of the 2023-24 Season?

Seeing a young NHL player realize their dream of scoring a goal on hockey's highest stage is pure bliss.

It’s one of the most pure and joyful moments as a player, family member or fan, and a new NHL season gives us the opportunity to see these accomplishments across the league.

As of Saturday morning, 10 players have scored their first career NHL goal this season. They range from the first overall pick in Connor Bedard to Brayden Pachal, a 192-game AHL veteran who cracked the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights' roster to start the season. Let's also shout out Seattle Kraken winger Tye Kartye, who scored his first regular-season NHL goal on Thursday but lit the lamp three times last post-season.

Whether you're a phenom or a player making a cameo in The Show, your first NHL goal is special, so let's shout out every first career goal so far this season.

First goal: Oct. 11 versus Boston

It was only a matter of time for Bedard. After recording an assist in his first career game, Bedard netted his first goal in his second game. 

We would have thought the 18-year-old superstar would use his wicked snap shot or wrister to pick a corner, but a wrap-around goal wound up being his first NHL goal. 

While he hasn’t found twine a second time yet, he leads the NHL in 5-on-5 scoring chances with 20, according to naturalstattrick.com. Nikita Kucherov and Jack Hughes trail him with 15 each. Connor Bedard is going to break through, and he may not stop scoring. Thirty-five goals certainly isn’t out of the question once the kid gets going.

First goal: Oct. 14 versus New York Rangers

After initially being sent down to the AHL, the Blue Jackets recalled Jiricek, and he made an immediate impact in his first game of the season. 

Jiricek has always received praise for his booming shot, particularly his slapshot. His first NHL goal came on a great play by Patrik Laine, sending the pass across the top of the zone to Jiricek, who stepped into the top of the faceoff circle and wired a snap shot by the Rangers’ netminder. 

With an increased workload in his second game and sticking in the lineup after Zach Werenski returned from injury, Jiricek may be solidifying a spot on the Jackets roster. Could this be the start of the “Jiricek for Calder” run in Columbus?

First goal: Oct. 16 versus Calgary

Sometimes, things just work out. That’s what happened with Matthew Phillips and his first NHL goal. 

After being drafted and developed in the Calgary Flames system, he never really got a fair shot in the NHL despite impressive AHL numbers and a dynamism the Flames sorely lacked. 

Seven years after joining the Flames, Phillips signed in Washington, and it just so happened he played his former team early in the season. He scored a beautiful goal, driving the center lane and burying a one-timer from in tight. His goal spurred a comeback against his former club as he also assisted on the game-tying goal to help the Caps to their lone win so far.

First goal: Oct. 15 versus Carolina

After winning a roster spot on the Ducks to open the season, Mintyukov was poised to get some offensive opportunities. 

In just his second NHL game, the former Saginaw Spirit and Ottawa 67's blueliner secured his first goal on a beautiful passing play by Anaheim. Mintyukov crept down from the point on the backside, presented himself for a shot in the slot and didn’t miss when the puck hit his stick. 

It was a momentous goal for each player in on it, as it was also defensive partner Jackson LaCombe’s first NHL point and Ryan Strome’s 400th career point. If Mintyukov can stick with the Ducks and stay on the power play consistently, we could see the young Duck find the back of the net quite a bit this season.

First goal: Oct. 19 versus Dallas

Although the 2023 second overall pick started the season with an injury, he made his debut on Thursday and scored his first NHL goal in the same game. 

Carlsson wired his catch-and-release top shelf, beating Jake Oettinger in the Dallas net to tie the game in the third period. 

Centering a line with Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry, Carlsson could be in line for plenty of opportunities to score some big goals for the Ducks. He is in prime position to rack up some points this year if he sticks with that duo. The young Swede is the perfect dual threat to play down the middle with those two dynamic offensive talents.

First goal: Oct. 14 versus Toronto

It was a long time coming when Marco Rossi scored his first career goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It almost came a game earlier against the Florida Panthers, but it was called back after an offside review. 

It's par for the course as Rossi’s career could have started earlier, but a bout with COVID put a halt on his development. After recovering and doing his best to make up for lost time, Rossi made the Wild out of camp after two very good, nearly point-per-game AHL seasons. 

You could tell this goal meant a bit more as Rossi let out a visceral yell, and his teammates mauled him with hugs of congratulations. Rossi is playing on the third line, so high-impact offensive minutes may be hard to come by, but Rossi has the talent to score some important depth goals for Minnesota.

First goal: Oct. 14 versus Columbus

After a very good AHL campaign and a brief four-game call-up last season, Will Cuylle earned an NHL role in training camp as an underdog. His blend of physicality and a big shot earned him that role. 

His first NHL goal came on a snap shot from the slot. The former Windsor Spitfire may never be an elite goal-scorer, but he brings a blend of power and shooting ability that teams love in a depth role. He leads the team in hits and has his first NHL goal while averaging 13:09 in ice time.

First goal: Oct. 17 versus Vancouver

Although he has seen NHL action in each of the last three seasons, Zamula hasn’t found the back of the net – until now. 

The 6-foot-3 defender scored one of the simplest goals of anyone on this list, firing a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net. Simple or not, the young Russian defender had a great celebration in honor of his first career goal. 

Zamula may not get a full-time role with the Flyers this season, but he consistently plays well when he has. Even if he does find himself as a top-six defender with Philly, goal-scoring may not be the most common occurrence for the blueliner.

First goal: Oct. 17 versus Dallas

Securing a spot on the back end of the defending Stanley Cup Champions is not an easy thing to do. Although Korczak hasn’t locked down a full-time role, he managed to find his way into a few games last year. With injuries on the back end to start this year, he found his way into a couple yet again. 

Korczak finally got his first NHL goal earlier this week. He was the late man into the zone, attacking with speed and picking up a drop pass before firing it on goal. Korczak has never been a standout offensive blueliner, but he has always been capable. He will need more opportunities if he wants to get back onto the scoresheet.

First goal: Oct. 13 versus San Jose

After four seasons in the AHL, Brayden Pachal finally found a role with the Vegas Golden Knights, playing in all five games this season to start the year. 

Even if his spot came because of multiple injuries on the back end, Pachal's making the most out of his opportunity. At 24 years old, the Estevan, Sask., native scored his first NHL goal – and it was smooth, spinning and firing the puck on net. 

There is no guarantee Pachal will be in the NHL full-time at any point moving forward, but it was amazing to see him get his first NHL goal and have his dreams come true.