Golden Knights sign Bronson Ride to three-year, entry-level contract

A longtime junior player has signed his name to an NHL contract.

On Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights announced that the team has signed defenseman Bronson Ride to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Ride, an undrafted blueliner, has earned a reputation as being a tough, stay-at-home defender across five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League.

Taken by the Windsor Spitfires in the second round of the 2021 OHL Draft, the Oakville, Ont. native spent a little over a season with Windsor before being traded to the Niagara IceDogs in January 2023. Ride was on the move the next season, as the IceDogs dealt him to the North Bay Battalion on Jan. 7, 2024.

Ride would spend the rest of his junior career in North Bay, becoming a leader on and off the ice. Never the offensive weapon, he posted a career-high 17 assists and 21 points in 2025-26, serving as an assistant captain. He posted at least 10 points in each of his past four seasons, scoring a career-high six goals during the 2024-25 campaign.

Ride’s size made him a rather formidable opponent. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing well over 200 pounds, the 21-year-old has shown he can play a little rough when need be. He has totaled over 65 penalty minutes over the past two seasons, including registering a career-high 87 PIM last year. According to HockeyFights.com, Ride posted 10 fights in his OHL career.

In 295 regular-season games in the OHL, Ride posted 17 goals and 57 assists for 74 points, with five assists coming in 22 postseason contests.

The Golden Knights (30-22-14) are second in the Pacific Division, one point back of the Anaheim Ducks for first place.