Back in the Mohawk Valley: Talking with Comets’ Forward Kyle Criscuolo
Nov 17, 2025Utica, NY – On October 27th, the Comets signed Kyle Criscuolo to an AHL contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, and last week, we caught up with the veteran forward shortly after arriving for his second stint in Utica.
“I love the guys and the way the organization is run here. It feels like the Comets are represented in the community everywhere you turn. My kids love the snow, and we’ll get our fair share here which will be fun. I’m really excited to be back for my second tour in Utica.”
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Criscuolo attended training camp with both the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), and prior to arriving in Utica he was training at home and skating with his skills coach three to four days a week, waiting for an opportunity to come along. He said that heading overseas to play in Europe was on the table, but in an ideal world, he would land with a team on the east coast to be near family which made signing with the Comets a no-brainer.
Criscuolo’s journey began in Southampton, NJ, a small town about 30 miles east of Philadelphia. He grew up between an older brother and younger sister and was raised by two passionate hockey parents. The unwavering support of his family has been a constant from his first day on the ice at the age of three until now and being able to share his hockey experiences with the people who made it all possible means everything.
Prior to signing his first pro contract, Criscuolo spent four years at Harvard University where he had a standout playing career and received a top-notch education. Among his favorite memories was having the opportunity to play in the Beanpot, an annual tournament between the area’s four major hockey schools: Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern, and Harvard.
Criscuolo made his professional debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) at the end of the 2015-16 season. The next year, still as a rookie, he reached champion status when the Griffins captured their second Calder Cup. “It’s crazy, you come in as a rookie. You’re trying to find your footing, and you end up on a really good team, just trying to contribute any way you can. I think it was an easy transition for a young guy because there’s not too much weight on your shoulders. You can follow the older guys’ lead and understand what it takes to win. That first year was special,” he expressed.
The following season (2017-18), Criscuolo made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. He had attended training camp in Detroit the year prior as a member of the Griffins, and playing against the Red Wings made his debut even more memorable. After pit stops in Lehigh Valley and San Diego, Criscuolo made his way back to the Detroit/Grand Rapids organization and would end up playing in six games for the Red Wings during the 2021-22 season. But the highlight of his career, he says, came during the 2022-23 season when he scored his first NHL goal with the San Jose Sharks. “You get called up to the NHL and have hopes of staying there, but things don’t always end up the way you hope or plan. Getting back to the NHL and scoring was really important for me and my family just to have something to look back on. It wasn’t something that happened early in my career where I might not have known what was at stake. It was one of those moments where I had been around for a little while, so it was really special.”
With over 500 professional games under his belt, Criscuolo stated that none of those memories would exist without the sacrifices and support of his family, and being able to share those experiences with them has been the most rewarding aspect of his career. He looks forward to having his parents visit Utica this season, who he says are still hockey super fans. Since becoming a father himself, family has taken on even greater significance for Criscuolo. “It’s amazing. It’s been 20 times more enriching than anything I’ve done hockey-wise. My daughter and son are at a young age right now that’s a lot of fun (for my wife and I) and keeps us on our toes. Having my wife as a partner in (raising them) has been awesome.” He added that his three-year-old daughter remembers the Comets’ mascot, Naudie, during the family’s first stop in Utica and is excited to get back to the arena.
While most of his free time revolves around his kids, Criscuolo enjoys getting out on the golf course when he can. During the summer, he unwinds by spending time with his family in Cape Cod and on the Jersey Shore.
Criscuolo and the Comets will welcome the Rochester Americans to town this Saturday at 6 pm. For tickets, fans can visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070.