Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Brandon Hagel is a Canadian professional ice hockey player best known for his career with the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 27, 1998, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Hagel grew up in Morinville, Alberta, where his family played an important role in his hockey development.
Beyond his professional achievements, Hagel comes from a supportive Canadian family. His parents are Dwayne and Nicole Hagel, and he has two siblings: an older brother named Tyler Hagel and a younger sister named Chelsea Hagel.
Hagel has also been romantically linked to Gabriella Dini, commonly known as Gabby Dini. However, he maintains a relatively private personal life, and recent details about his relationship status and whether he has children remain limited.
Here is a closer look at Brandon Hagel’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings, and family background.
Brandon Hagel’s Girlfriend: Who Is Gabriella Dini?
Brandon Hagel has previously been in a relationship with Gabriella Dini, an American social media professional and former model.
According to a January 4, 2023, article published by Earn the Necklace, Hagel and Dini were romantically involved, with their relationship becoming publicly visible through social media posts in 2021.
The publication reported that Dini shared a photograph with Hagel in October 2021, while the hockey player posted a picture featuring her during the Christmas holiday season that year.
The couple subsequently appeared together in photographs from vacations and other personal occasions.
However, Hagel has not widely discussed his relationship in official NHL interviews, and reliable recent reporting does not establish whether he and Dini remain together.
Consequently, Gabriella Dini can be identified as a previously reported girlfriend, but her status as his current romantic partner has not been independently confirmed.
Who Is Gabriella Dini?
Gabriella Dini, also known as Gabby, is an American marketing professional originally from Kildeer, Illinois.
She was born on July 29, 1999, and attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School before continuing her education at Miami University in Ohio.
According to Earn the Necklace, Dini graduated from Miami University in 2021 after studying strategic communication and fashion entrepreneurship.
She has worked in social media marketing and has also participated in modeling and fashion-related activities.
The publication identified her as a social media marketing manager for Paramount Lead Solutions in 2022.
Although Dini has maintained an online presence, there is limited verified information about her more recent professional activities.
Is Brandon Hagel Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Brandon Hagel is married.
While several online biographies have discussed his relationship with Gabriella Dini, official NHL and Hockey Canada profiles do not identify a wife or provide a confirmed wedding date.
Therefore, claims that Hagel is married should not be treated as established facts without credible supporting evidence.
Does Brandon Hagel Have Children?
There are no independently verified public reports confirming that Brandon Hagel has children.
The Tampa Bay Lightning forward has not publicly identified any sons or daughters through official team interviews or Hockey Canada biographies.
Although some unverified websites have circulated claims about his family plans, those claims do not establish that Hagel is a father.
His parental status therefore remains unconfirmed, and there is insufficient reliable information to identify any children by name.
Brandon Hagel’s Parents
Brandon Hagel was born to Dwayne Hagel and Nicole Hagel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
The family later moved to Morinville, Alberta, a community north of Edmonton, where Brandon grew up alongside his brother Tyler and sister Chelsea.
Both parents worked outside the home while supporting their children’s sporting interests.
According to NBC Sports and the Chicago Sun-Times, Dwayne worked in the roofing industry, while Nicole worked in insurance.
Hagel has repeatedly credited his parents with teaching him discipline, determination, and the importance of hard work.
Brandon Hagel’s Father: Dwayne Hagel
Dwayne Hagel is Brandon Hagel’s father and one of the most influential figures in his professional hockey journey.
Dwayne worked as a sales manager in the roofing industry in Alberta.
Despite his demanding professional responsibilities, he supported Brandon’s interest in hockey and encouraged him to continue pursuing his ambitions.
In September 2021, the Chicago Sun-Times published an interview with Dwayne discussing his son’s development and the difficulties he encountered before reaching the NHL.
One of the most challenging moments occurred in 2018, when the Buffalo Sabres decided not to sign Brandon after previously selecting him in the NHL Draft.
At the time, Hagel was considering ending his professional hockey ambitions and enrolling in college.
Dwayne encouraged him not to abandon his dream prematurely, reminding him that he still had opportunities to improve and attract interest from another NHL organization.
Brandon subsequently returned to the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League and continued developing his skills.
In October 2018, he signed an entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, allowing him to pursue the professional career he had worked toward.
Dwayne later expressed pride in his son’s determination and ability to overcome setbacks.
His encouragement during a difficult period became an important part of Brandon’s journey to the NHL.
Brandon Hagel’s Mother: Nicole Hagel
Nicole Hagel is Brandon Hagel’s mother.
She helped raise Brandon and his two siblings in Morinville, Alberta, while working in the insurance industry.
Like Dwayne, Nicole was closely involved in supporting her children’s athletic interests.
In March 2021, NBC Sports published an interview in which Nicole recalled Brandon’s earliest experiences with hockey.
She explained that his fascination with the sport developed partly through watching his older brother Tyler skate.
Brandon wanted to imitate his brother and quickly became determined to improve his own skating skills.
Nicole remembered that Tyler encouraged Brandon when he struggled during his first attempts on the ice.
She also emphasized that Brandon deserved considerable credit for his success because of the effort he invested in training and competition.
Although Nicole and Dwayne helped provide opportunities and encouragement, she believed Brandon’s personal determination was essential to his achievements.
Nicole has continued supporting her son’s NHL career and has attended important games with other members of the Hagel family.
Brandon Hagel’s Siblings: Meet His Brother and Sister
Brandon Hagel has two siblings: his older brother, Tyler Hagel, and his younger sister, Chelsea Hagel.
Their names are confirmed in Hockey Canada’s official 2026 Olympic men’s hockey media guide.
Brandon is the middle child of three children born to Dwayne and Nicole Hagel.
Tyler Hagel: Brandon Hagel’s Older Brother
Tyler Hagel is Brandon Hagel’s older brother.
He is approximately three years older than Brandon and played an important role in introducing him to ice hockey.
During childhood, Tyler regularly spent time skating at local rinks in Morinville.
Brandon frequently accompanied him and became determined to develop similar skating abilities.
In a March 2021 interview with NBC Sports, their mother Nicole recalled how Tyler encouraged Brandon after he fell during his earliest skating experiences.
She credited their close relationship with helping establish Brandon’s enthusiasm for the sport.
The brothers also developed a competitive relationship during childhood, frequently challenging one another while playing sports at home.
In February 2025, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) published an interview with Tyler during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Tyler described his relationship with Brandon as extremely close, despite the usual disagreements and competition between siblings.
He expressed pride in watching his younger brother represent Canada on the international stage.
The NHLPA article also revealed that Tyler was preparing to get married in 2025, with Brandon expected to stand beside him during the wedding.
Although Tyler has maintained a relatively private life, his public comments demonstrate the strong bond he shares with his younger brother.
Chelsea Hagel: Brandon Hagel’s Younger Sister
Chelsea Hagel is Brandon Hagel’s younger sister and the youngest of the three Hagel siblings.
Her name is confirmed in Hockey Canada’s official player biography.
Chelsea grew up in Morinville, Alberta, alongside her brothers Brandon and Tyler.
Although Chelsea has maintained a comparatively private public profile, she has supported Brandon throughout his professional hockey career.
During the 2021–22 NHL season, Chelsea attended one of Brandon’s games in Chicago alongside their mother, brother, and another family member.
The family gathering was reported by the Chicago Sun-Times during the Blackhawks’ visit to Edmonton in November 2021.
Chelsea’s participation in such occasions reflects the family’s continuing interest in Brandon’s career.
However, reliable public information about Chelsea’s occupation, education, and personal relationships remains limited.
Brandon Hagel’s Extended Family
Brandon Hagel has strong connections to an extended family originally based in Saskatchewan.
During an appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast in 2024, Hagel explained that many of his relatives continued living in Saskatchewan even after his immediate family relocated to Alberta.
He recalled that his father had three brothers and two sisters, while several relatives on his mother’s side also lived in Saskatchewan.
These family connections have remained important throughout his life.
Brandon Hagel’s Uncles and Mental Health Advocacy
Brandon Hagel has publicly discussed the loss of several extended family members and how those experiences influenced his interest in mental health awareness.
In January 2025, the Tampa Bay Lightning published an interview discussing his involvement in the NHL’s Hockey Talks initiative.
The article identified his uncles Danny Hagel and Derek Hagel, who died in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
He also discussed the loss of another relative, Braten Kirkwood, in 2024.
Hagel explained that these family tragedies motivated him to encourage people experiencing mental health difficulties to seek support and speak openly about their struggles.
He has honored his relatives through personal tattoos and other tributes.
One tribute includes a wolf tattoo inspired by his uncle Danny, while another commemorates significant dates associated with his family members.
His participation in Hockey Talks reflects how deeply these experiences have influenced his life away from professional sports.
Brandon Hagel’s Family Background and Childhood
Brandon Hagel was born on August 27, 1998, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
His family moved to Morinville, Alberta, when he was very young, and he spent most of his childhood in the community.
Hagel developed a passion for ice hockey after watching his older brother Tyler participate in the sport.
As he grew older, he began playing organized hockey through Morinville’s minor hockey programs.
He subsequently joined the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers, where he continued developing his offensive abilities.
During childhood, Hagel admired Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin and decorated his bedroom with items associated with the Russian forward.
Despite his talent, Hagel faced several disappointments while attempting to establish himself in competitive hockey.
He was overlooked during the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft but eventually joined the Red Deer Rebels.
In 2016, the Buffalo Sabres selected him in the sixth round of the NHL Entry Draft, 159th overall.
However, he did not receive a professional contract from Buffalo.
Rather than abandoning his ambitions, Hagel returned to junior hockey and continued working toward a professional opportunity.
His persistence was rewarded when the Chicago Blackhawks signed him in October 2018.
He made his NHL debut on March 11, 2020, against the San Jose Sharks.
After establishing himself with Chicago, Hagel was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in March 2022.
In August 2023, he signed an eight-year contract extension with Tampa Bay.
He continued developing into one of the team’s leading forwards, recording 35 goals and 55 assists for 90 points during the 2024–25 NHL season.
Hagel also represented Canada internationally, winning gold at the 2021 IIHF World Championship and helping Canada win the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
He was subsequently selected to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Throughout his professional journey, Hagel has consistently credited his parents and siblings with providing encouragement during difficult periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brandon Hagel’s Family
Who is Brandon Hagel’s girlfriend?
Brandon Hagel was previously reported to be dating Gabriella Dini, also known as Gabby Dini. Their relationship was publicly documented in 2022 and 2023, but their current relationship status has not been independently confirmed.
Is Brandon Hagel married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Brandon Hagel is married. Official hockey biographies do not identify a wife.
Does Brandon Hagel have children?
There are no verified public reports confirming that Brandon Hagel has children.
Who are Brandon Hagel’s parents?
Brandon Hagel’s parents are Dwayne Hagel and Nicole Hagel. His father worked in roofing sales, while his mother worked in insurance.
Who is Brandon Hagel’s father?
His father is Dwayne Hagel, who supported Brandon’s hockey ambitions and encouraged him to continue pursuing an NHL career after Buffalo declined to sign him.
Who is Brandon Hagel’s mother?
His mother is Nicole Hagel, who supported her son’s hockey development and has spoken publicly about his childhood and relationship with his siblings.
Does Brandon Hagel have siblings?
Yes. Brandon Hagel has two siblings: his older brother, Tyler Hagel, and his younger sister, Chelsea Hagel.
Who is Brandon Hagel’s brother?
Tyler Hagel is Brandon Hagel’s older brother. He is approximately three years older and helped introduce Brandon to hockey during childhood.
Who is Brandon Hagel’s sister?
Chelsea Hagel is Brandon Hagel’s younger sister. She has supported his professional career while maintaining a relatively private personal life.
Where is Brandon Hagel’s family from?
Brandon Hagel was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but grew up with his family in Morinville, Alberta, Canada.
Why is Brandon Hagel involved in mental health awareness?
Hagel became involved in mental health advocacy after losing three extended family members. He has participated in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Hockey Talks initiative to encourage people to seek help and support.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
