Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Sam Rinzel is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 25, 2004, Rinzel grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, where he developed his hockey skills before becoming a first-round NHL Draft selection.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Rinzel 25th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. He later played college hockey at the University of Minnesota before making his NHL debut on March 30, 2025.
Beyond his professional career, fans are interested in Sam Rinzel’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.
Rinzel comes from an athletic American family. His parents are Pete Rinzel and Trisha Rinzel, and he has three older siblings: Olivia Rinzel, Eric Rinzel, and Jack Rinzel.
His father played college football, his mother competed in soccer and track and field, and all three older siblings participated in collegiate athletics.
Does Sam Rinzel Have a Girlfriend?
Sam Rinzel has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. Despite his growing popularity with the Chicago Blackhawks, the American defenseman generally keeps his romantic relationships private.
There are no reliable public reports identifying a current girlfriend or confirming that Rinzel is involved in a romantic relationship.
His interviews have primarily focused on his hockey career, his development at the University of Minnesota, and his transition to professional hockey.
Although fans may speculate about his personal life, social media discussions do not provide sufficient evidence to identify a romantic partner.
Therefore, Sam Rinzel’s relationship status remains publicly unconfirmed. This does not necessarily mean that he is single.
Is Sam Rinzel Married?
There is no verified public information indicating that Sam Rinzel is married.
The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman has not publicly announced a wedding, and his official hockey biographies do not identify a wife or spouse.
Until reliable confirmation becomes available, his marital status should be considered private.
Does Sam Rinzel Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Sam Rinzel has any children.
The American hockey player has not publicly announced becoming a father, and credible sports biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Rinzel has generally maintained privacy concerning his personal relationships and family plans while establishing his NHL career.
Who Are Sam Rinzel’s Parents?
Sam Rinzel’s parents are Pete Rinzel and Trisha Rinzel. They raised Sam and his three older siblings in the Chanhassen area of Minnesota.
Their names are confirmed by the University of Minnesota’s official men’s hockey biography and Stevenson University’s athletics records for Sam’s older brother, Jack.
Both parents have backgrounds in collegiate athletics and encouraged their children to participate in competitive sports.
The family’s athletic background helped create an environment in which Sam developed the discipline and competitiveness needed to pursue professional hockey.
Sam Rinzel’s Father: Pete Rinzel
Pete Rinzel is Sam Rinzel’s father and a former college football player.
He attended Augsburg College, now known as Augsburg University, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he played football.
According to Stevenson University’s official athletics biography for Jack Rinzel, Pete competed at Augsburg during his college years.
His background in organized athletics contributed to the family’s strong sporting culture.
Pete supported his children’s participation in hockey, baseball, lacrosse, and other competitive sports.
Sam eventually became one of Minnesota’s leading young hockey prospects while attending Chaska High School.
As Sam progressed through the hockey development system, his parents remained important sources of advice and encouragement.
Their involvement became especially visible in March 2025, when Sam faced a difficult decision about whether to leave college hockey and begin his NHL career.
After the University of Minnesota was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, Rinzel discussed his future with both parents before deciding to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks.
In an interview published by the Chicago Sun-Times on March 29, 2025, Rinzel explained that he had spent considerable time discussing the decision with his family.
His father’s sporting background and continued support have been part of the family environment surrounding Sam’s development.
Sam Rinzel’s Mother: Trisha Rinzel
Trisha Rinzel is Sam Rinzel’s mother and a former collegiate athlete.
She attended the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, where she competed in soccer and track and field.
Her sporting background is confirmed in Stevenson University’s official athletics biography for her eldest son, Jack Rinzel.
Trisha helped raise four children, all of whom developed interests in competitive athletics.
Her daughter Olivia pursued college ice hockey, Eric became a collegiate baseball player, Jack played lacrosse, and Sam eventually reached the NHL.
Trisha has been an important source of support throughout Sam’s hockey development.
In March 2025, she helped him evaluate one of the most significant decisions of his career.
Following Minnesota’s disappointing elimination from the NCAA Tournament, Rinzel had to decide whether to remain in college or sign his first professional contract.
He explained that he consulted his mother because he trusted her judgment.
Trisha encouraged him to separate his emotions about the tournament loss from the long-term decision about his professional future.
Rather than making a rushed decision based on disappointment, she advised him to consider which opportunity would be best for his development.
Sam subsequently decided to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Her advice demonstrated the important role she continued playing in his life even after he became an established NHL prospect.
Sam Rinzel’s Siblings
Sam Rinzel has three older siblings: Olivia Rinzel, Eric Rinzel, and Jack Rinzel.
He is the youngest of four children in the Rinzel family.
The University of Minnesota’s official player biography confirms all three siblings and identifies Olivia as a collegiate hockey goaltender.
Additional university athletics records document Eric’s baseball career and Jack’s lacrosse achievements.
Olivia Rinzel – Sam Rinzel’s Older Sister
Olivia Rinzel is Sam Rinzel’s older sister and a former collegiate ice hockey goaltender.
Born on April 25, 2002, Olivia grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, where she developed an interest in competitive hockey.
She attended Chaska High School and played for the Chaska-Chanhassen Stormhawks girls’ hockey program.
During her high school career, Olivia became one of the team’s leading goaltenders.
She served as team captain during her senior season and earned Team Most Valuable Player recognition.
According to Union College’s official athletics biography, she finished her senior season with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
She also participated in USA Hockey National Player Development Camps in 2017 and 2018.
Olivia Rinzel’s College Hockey Career
Olivia began her collegiate hockey career at Union College in Schenectady, New York.
She competed for the Union Dutchwomen women’s ice hockey program during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.
During the 2021–22 season, Olivia appeared in 19 games and recorded her first collegiate victory against Rochester Institute of Technology.
She also earned academic recognition, including ECAC All-Academic Team honors.
After two seasons at Union, Olivia transferred to Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
She played for the Hamline Pipers during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons.
During her final collegiate season, Olivia appeared in 20 games and helped Hamline finish with an 18–8 record.
Her achievements continued the Rinzel family’s tradition of competing in college sports.
Olivia and Sam share a particularly strong connection through ice hockey, having both competed at high levels in Minnesota and college hockey.
Eric Rinzel – Sam Rinzel’s Older Brother
Eric Rinzel is Sam Rinzel’s older brother and a former collegiate baseball player.
Born on June 22, 2000, in Edina, Minnesota, Eric grew up in Chanhassen with his siblings.
He attended Holy Family Catholic High School, where he became an accomplished baseball player.
Eric primarily played as a catcher and developed a reputation for his offensive production and defensive skills.
According to the University of Missouri’s official athletics biography, Eric recorded a .361 batting average during his four-year high school varsity career.
He also hit seven home runs and recorded 21 stolen bases.
During his senior season in 2019, Eric batted .444 and earned recognition among Minnesota’s leading baseball prospects.
His performances attracted attention from several Division I college baseball programs.
He eventually committed to the University of Missouri.
Eric Rinzel’s College Baseball Career
Eric joined the Missouri Tigers baseball program for the 2020 season.
During his freshman year, he appeared in two games and made two pinch-hitting appearances.
He also received academic recognition, including selection to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
His official university biography identifies his parents as Pete and Trisha Rinzel and lists his siblings as Olivia, Jack, and Sam.
Although Eric pursued baseball instead of ice hockey, his athletic achievements reflect the family’s shared commitment to competitive sports.
Further details about his professional activities following college are not extensively documented in reliable public sports sources.
Jack Rinzel – Sam Rinzel’s Older Brother
Jack Rinzel is another of Sam Rinzel’s older brothers and a former collegiate lacrosse player.
He grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and attended Holy Family Catholic High School.
During high school, Jack became a standout lacrosse player.
According to Stevenson University’s official athletics biography, he earned three varsity letters and established school records for goals, assists, and points in individual games and across a season.
He was also recognized as an All-Section player and received Team Most Valuable Player honors.
In addition to lacrosse, Jack played ice hockey at Holy Family Catholic.
His success in lacrosse eventually earned him an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level.
Jack Rinzel’s College Lacrosse Career
Jack attended Stevenson University in Maryland, where he joined the men’s lacrosse program.
He played as a midfielder for the Stevenson Mustangs.
During his freshman season in 2017, Jack appeared in three games.
He returned for the 2018 season, participating in four additional games.
His official athletics biography lists business administration as his academic major.
The same profile confirms his parents’ names and identifies Sam, Eric, and Olivia as his siblings.
Jack’s accomplishments demonstrate the variety of sports represented within the Rinzel family.
Sam Rinzel’s Family Background and Early Life
Sam Rinzel was born on June 25, 2004, and grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States.
His childhood was shaped by a family with extensive experience in competitive athletics.
His father played college football, while his mother competed in soccer and track and field.
His older siblings participated in hockey, baseball, and lacrosse.
Sam developed his own passion for ice hockey and began competing through local youth programs.
He attended Breakaway Academy before progressing to Chaska High School.
At Chaska, he became recognized for his skating ability, offensive instincts, and effectiveness as a defenseman.
During the 2021–22 season, Rinzel served as team captain and recorded nine goals and 29 assists in 27 games.
His performances attracted the attention of NHL scouts and junior hockey organizations.
He also began playing with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League.
His development across high school and junior hockey helped establish him as one of the leading American defensive prospects for the 2022 NHL Draft.
Sam Rinzel’s Family and the 2022 NHL Draft
One of the most important moments in Sam Rinzel’s early career occurred on July 7, 2022.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected him in the first round of the NHL Draft with the 25th overall pick.
At the time, Rinzel was an 18-year-old defenseman from Chanhassen, Minnesota.
His selection represented an important milestone after years of competing in local youth hockey, high school, and the United States Hockey League.
The Vancouver Giants, who held his Western Hockey League playing rights, publicly congratulated Sam and his family following his selection.
Rinzel subsequently decided to continue his development through junior and college hockey before pursuing the NHL.
Sam Rinzel’s College Hockey Career
After completing his junior hockey development with Waterloo, Rinzel enrolled at the University of Minnesota.
He joined the Golden Gophers men’s hockey program for the 2023–24 season.
During his freshman year, Rinzel recorded two goals and 26 assists in 39 games.
His performances earned him selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and All-Big Ten Second Team.
He was also named Minnesota’s Frank Pond Rookie of the Year.
Rinzel continued improving during the 2024–25 season.
As a sophomore, he recorded 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 40 games.
He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and earned AHCA/CCM Hockey All-America West First Team honors.
His development helped establish him as one of the leading defensemen in NCAA hockey.
How Sam Rinzel’s Parents Helped Him Decide to Join the NHL
In March 2025, Rinzel faced one of the most difficult decisions of his young hockey career.
After Minnesota was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by the University of Massachusetts, he had to decide whether to remain in college or begin his professional career with Chicago.
Rinzel was disappointed by the tournament loss and found the decision emotionally challenging.
According to a March 29, 2025, Chicago Sun-Times report, he spent considerable time discussing his future with his parents.
He specifically sought his mother’s advice about how to approach the decision.
Trisha encouraged him to put aside the disappointment of losing and focus on what would be best for his long-term future.
After considering his options, Rinzel decided to leave Minnesota and sign with the Chicago Blackhawks.
His former college teammate Oliver Moore made a similar decision.
Both players signed three-year entry-level NHL contracts on March 29, 2025.
Their shared experience helped make the transition from college hockey to professional competition easier.
Sam Rinzel’s Family at His NHL Debut
Sam Rinzel made his NHL debut on March 30, 2025, when the Chicago Blackhawks faced the Utah Hockey Club.
The occasion represented the culmination of his development through Minnesota’s youth hockey system, the Waterloo Black Hawks, and the University of Minnesota.
Several family members and friends traveled to Chicago to support him.
According to postgame reporting, Rinzel explained that seven members of his family had attended his debut.
Several former University of Minnesota teammates also traveled to Chicago to celebrate the occasion.
The support was especially meaningful because Rinzel had made the difficult decision to leave college only days earlier.
He finished his first NHL season with five assists in nine games.
Sam Rinzel’s First NHL Goal and Professional Development
Rinzel continued developing with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2025–26 season.
He scored his first NHL goal on October 11, 2025, against the Montreal Canadiens.
The milestone marked another important achievement in his professional career.
During the season, Chicago also assigned him to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League to gain additional playing experience.
The organization emphasized the importance of continuing his defensive development while taking advantage of his offensive abilities.
Rinzel remained part of Chicago’s plans for its young defensive group as he gained experience at both the NHL and AHL levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Rinzel’s Family
Who is Sam Rinzel’s girlfriend?
Sam Rinzel has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. His romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Sam Rinzel married?
There is no verified public information indicating that Sam Rinzel is married.
Does Sam Rinzel have children?
There is no reliable public information confirming that Sam Rinzel has any children.
Who is Sam Rinzel’s father?
Sam Rinzel’s father is Pete Rinzel, a former college football player who competed at Augsburg College in Minnesota.
Who is Sam Rinzel’s mother?
Sam Rinzel’s mother is Trisha Rinzel, a former collegiate soccer and track and field athlete at the University of St. Thomas.
How many siblings does Sam Rinzel have?
Sam Rinzel has three older siblings: Olivia Rinzel, Eric Rinzel, and Jack Rinzel.
Who is Sam Rinzel’s sister?
Sam Rinzel’s sister is Olivia Rinzel, a former collegiate ice hockey goaltender who played for Union College and Hamline University.
Who is Sam Rinzel’s brother Eric?
Eric Rinzel is Sam’s older brother and a former collegiate baseball catcher who played for the University of Missouri.
Who is Sam Rinzel’s brother Jack?
Jack Rinzel is Sam’s older brother and a former collegiate lacrosse player who attended Stevenson University in Maryland.
Is Sam Rinzel the youngest in his family?
Yes. Sam Rinzel is the youngest of four children born to Pete and Trisha Rinzel.
Where is Sam Rinzel’s family from?
Sam Rinzel grew up in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States, where his family has strong connections to competitive sports.
Did Sam Rinzel’s parents support his decision to join the NHL?
Yes. Rinzel discussed his decision to leave the University of Minnesota with his parents in March 2025. His mother encouraged him to focus on his long-term future rather than the disappointment of the team’s NCAA Tournament elimination.
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.
