Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Zach Metsa is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on October 19, 1998, in Delafield, Wisconsin, United States, Metsa grew up in a supportive family that encouraged his passion for hockey from an early age.
His parents are Tom Metsa and Lisa Driscoll. His father played college hockey at Hamline University, while his mother has been one of his strongest supporters throughout his development. Zach also has three siblings: two brothers, Matthew and Brady, and a sister, Lauren.
In his personal life, Metsa is engaged. He discussed his engagement during a Buffalo Sabres interview in September 2026, although his fiancée’s name has not been reliably established through official hockey reporting. There is no publicly verified information indicating that he has children.
Zach Metsa’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Zach Metsa is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, according to an official Buffalo Sabres interview published on September 17, 2026.
The relationship first became publicly documented during his time with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League.
In October 2025, Buffalo Hockey Beat reported that Metsa called his girlfriend and mother after learning that he had received his first NHL promotion.
The news represented an important milestone for Metsa, who had spent years working toward an opportunity in the NHL.
His decision to share the moment with his girlfriend and mother demonstrated the importance of both relationships in his personal life.
Although the October 2025 report confirmed that Metsa was dating someone, it did not identify his girlfriend by name.
Who Is Zach Metsa’s Fiancée?
Zach Metsa publicly discussed getting engaged during an appearance on the Buffalo Sabres television program “Sabres Live” on September 17, 2026.
During the interview with hosts Brian Duff and Martin Biron, the defenseman discussed his NHL career, his recent contract extension and his engagement.
The announcement came during an exciting period in his personal and professional life, following his breakthrough season with Buffalo.
However, the official interview description did not identify his fiancée by name.
Additional details, including her occupation, educational background and how the couple first met, have not been reliably established through major hockey publications.
Although Metsa has publicly acknowledged their relationship, he has generally kept his romantic life away from extensive media attention.
Is Zach Metsa Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Zach Metsa is married.
His engagement was discussed during an official Buffalo Sabres interview in September 2026, but no subsequent verified wedding announcement has been established.
Details about a planned wedding date or location have also not been reliably documented.
Therefore, Metsa is publicly known to be engaged rather than married.
Does Zach Metsa Have Children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that Zach Metsa has children.
The Buffalo Sabres defenseman has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father, and established hockey publications have not identified any sons or daughters.
Most information about his family concerns his parents, siblings and romantic relationship.
Without confirmation from Metsa or a trustworthy source, it would be inaccurate to claim that he has children.
Zach Metsa’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Zach Metsa’s parents are Tom Metsa and Lisa Driscoll.
Their identities are confirmed by Quinnipiac University’s official men’s hockey biography, which also documents his father’s background in competitive hockey.
Both parents played important roles in supporting Metsa as he developed from a young hockey player in Wisconsin into a collegiate national champion and NHL defenseman.
Zach Metsa’s Father: Tom Metsa
Tom Metsa is Zach Metsa’s father and an important influence on his early hockey development.
According to Quinnipiac University’s official player biography, Tom played college hockey at Hamline University in Minnesota.
His experience in competitive hockey helped introduce Zach to the sport and provided a foundation for his development.
Growing up in Delafield, Wisconsin, Zach had opportunities to practice hockey at home during the winter.
According to an October 2025 Buffalo Sabres feature, his father built a backyard ice rink each winter.
The rink gave Zach additional opportunities to practice skating, shooting and puck-handling skills outside organized team activities.
Having regular access to outdoor ice helped him develop confidence and enthusiasm for hockey.
Tom’s involvement also reflected the family’s commitment to encouraging Zach’s athletic interests.
Although detailed information about Tom’s professional career outside hockey has not been widely reported, his influence on Zach’s childhood development is documented through official university and NHL sources.
Zach Metsa’s Mother: Lisa Driscoll
Zach Metsa’s mother is Lisa Driscoll, one of the most influential figures in his personal life and hockey career.
Her identity is confirmed by Quinnipiac University, local Wisconsin reporting and interviews published by the Buffalo Sabres.
Lisa supported her son throughout his youth hockey career, regularly attending practices and games while encouraging him to pursue his ambitions.
In October 2025, WGR Sports Radio published an interview in which Metsa discussed the influence his mother had on his leadership abilities.
He described Lisa as someone who consistently demonstrated leadership through her actions and served as a dependable source of support for people around her.
He explained that he had tried to incorporate those same qualities into his approach to leadership.
Those values became especially important when Metsa was selected as captain of Quinnipiac University and later the Rochester Americans.
Lisa Driscoll’s Reaction to Her Son Reaching the NHL
Lisa was especially proud when Zach finally earned an opportunity with the Buffalo Sabres.
In October 2025, Metsa received his first NHL promotion after establishing himself as one of Rochester’s leading defensemen.
Following the announcement, he contacted his mother to share the news.
In an interview with Milwaukee television station TMJ4, Lisa recalled receiving the emotional phone call from her son.
She explained that he was excited about finally achieving a dream he had pursued since childhood.
Lisa also expressed hope that his journey would encourage other young athletes to remain committed to their ambitions, even when they faced difficult circumstances.
Her reaction reflected the years she had spent supporting him through youth hockey, junior competition and college.
Zach Metsa’s Stepfamily
Additional reporting identifies Gerald “Jerry” Driscoll as another parental figure in Zach Metsa’s family.
A 2023 article about Metsa’s NCAA championship with Quinnipiac identified Lisa and Gerald Driscoll as his parents.
Meanwhile, the official King’s College biography of Zach’s brother Matthew identifies Lisa and Jerry Driscoll as Matthew’s parents.
Quinnipiac University separately identifies Tom Metsa as Zach’s father.
These records indicate a blended-family background, although the public university biographies do not provide a detailed account of every parental relationship.
Gerald and Lisa attended important college hockey events involving Zach, including a game on his birthday during his first season at Quinnipiac.
Zach Metsa’s Siblings: Meet His Two Brothers and Sister
Zach Metsa has three siblings: Matthew Metsa, Brady Driscoll and Lauren Driscoll.
Quinnipiac University’s official biography confirms their first names, while Matthew’s King’s College biography provides additional information about their family.
Of the three siblings, Matthew has the most extensively documented sporting career.
Matthew Metsa: Zach Metsa’s Brother
Matthew Metsa, also known as Matt Metsa, is Zach Metsa’s brother and a former collegiate ice hockey player.
Like Zach, Matthew grew up in Wisconsin and developed an interest in organized hockey.
He attended Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, where he participated in hockey and baseball.
During his high school hockey career, Matthew served as team captain and received individual recognition for his performances.
He was named to an all-conference team during his junior year and received first-team all-state recognition during his senior season.
After graduating, Matthew continued his development in junior hockey.
He played for the Granite City Lumberjacks in the North American 3 Hockey League and the New Jersey Rockets in the United States Premier Hockey League.
Matthew later attended King’s College in Pennsylvania, where he represented the Monarchs in NCAA Division III hockey.
He also participated in the college’s golf program.
According to his university biography, Matthew studied mechanical engineering.
His hockey background provides another example of the Metsa family’s connection to competitive ice hockey.
Brady Driscoll: Zach Metsa’s Brother
Brady Driscoll is another of Zach Metsa’s brothers.
His name appears in Zach’s official Quinnipiac University biography and Matthew Metsa’s King’s College player profile.
Both records identify Brady as a member of the family.
However, reliable public sources provide limited information about Brady’s age, education, occupation and sporting activities.
Unlike Zach and Matthew, whose hockey careers are documented through college athletics records, Brady has maintained a relatively private personal life.
It is therefore not possible to confirm whether he has pursued competitive ice hockey or another sport.
Lauren Driscoll: Zach Metsa’s Sister
Lauren Driscoll is Zach Metsa’s sister and the only sister identified in his official college hockey biography.
Her name is also documented in Matthew Metsa’s King’s College biography.
Lauren grew up as part of the same family that supported Zach and Matthew throughout their sporting development.
However, she has generally remained outside the professional hockey spotlight.
There is limited reliable public information about Lauren’s education, career and personal relationships.
As a result, details about her private life should not be assumed without confirmation.
Zach Metsa’s Childhood and Family Background
Zach Metsa grew up in Delafield, Wisconsin, a community in the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
His childhood included regular exposure to ice hockey through his father’s sporting background and the family’s backyard rink.
He participated in organized youth hockey with the Milwaukee Junior Admirals.
The program provided opportunities to compete against talented players and develop his defensive abilities.
Despite his determination, Metsa was not widely regarded as a major NHL prospect during his teenage years.
Standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, he faced questions about whether his size would limit his opportunities at higher levels.
However, his family encouraged him to continue working and developing his skills.
He subsequently played junior hockey for several organizations, including the Merritt Centennials in the British Columbia Hockey League.
His junior career also included time with teams in the United States Hockey League, including the Youngstown Phantoms and Central Illinois Flying Aces.
Those experiences required him to live away from home and adapt to different teams and environments.
How Zach Metsa’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
Family encouragement played an important role in helping Metsa overcome challenges throughout his hockey development.
His father introduced him to the sport and provided opportunities to practice through the backyard skating rink.
His mother encouraged determination and leadership, qualities that later became central to his identity as a player.
His brother Matthew shared his passion for competitive hockey, creating another connection to the sport within the family.
Despite receiving limited attention from major college programs, Metsa eventually joined Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.
He began his collegiate hockey career during the 2018–19 season.
Initially, he struggled to secure regular playing time, and the coaching staff occasionally used him as a forward instead of a defenseman.
During his first season, his parents traveled to watch a game on his birthday, but he remained on the bench throughout the contest.
Rather than becoming discouraged, Metsa continued improving.
His performances eventually earned him a prominent role in Quinnipiac’s defensive lineup.
Zach Metsa’s NCAA Championship: A Special Family Achievement
One of the most important moments in Zach Metsa’s hockey career occurred in April 2023, when he helped Quinnipiac University win the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey national championship.
Metsa served as the team’s captain during the 2022–23 season.
Quinnipiac defeated the University of Minnesota 3–2 in overtime in the championship game, securing the first national title in the program’s history.
The victory represented the culmination of five years of collegiate development.
For Metsa, the achievement was especially meaningful because of the challenges he had overcome during his early college career.
According to Wisconsin reporting, several members of his extended family traveled from different parts of the United States to attend the Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida.
Relatives came from locations including Denver, Minnesota and Texas.
Their attendance reflected the strong family support surrounding Metsa’s achievements.
Zach Metsa’s Journey From College to the NHL
After completing his collegiate career, Metsa signed a professional contract with the Rochester Americans in April 2023.
He made his American Hockey League debut during Rochester’s Calder Cup playoff campaign.
He continued developing with the Americans over the following seasons, establishing himself as a dependable defenseman and leader.
During the 2024–25 AHL season, Metsa recorded seven goals and 39 assists for 46 points in 69 games.
His performances helped him earn an NHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres in July 2025.
He was subsequently named captain of the Rochester Americans in October 2025.
Shortly afterward, he received his first NHL promotion.
Metsa made his NHL debut on October 20, 2025, against the Montreal Canadiens.
On January 6, 2026, he scored his first NHL goal against the Vancouver Canucks.
In September 2026, the Buffalo Sabres announced a one-year contract extension worth $900,000, keeping him under contract through the 2027–28 season.
Those achievements demonstrated the determination that had helped him progress from an undrafted college player to the NHL.
Zach Metsa’s Family Life Away From Hockey
Despite the demands of professional hockey, Zach Metsa has remained connected to his family.
His mother has continued attending games and publicly celebrating his achievements.
During the 2025–26 season, Metsa participated in a Buffalo Sabres mothers’ trip, providing an opportunity to share his NHL experience with Lisa.
In a subsequent interview, he described reflecting with his mother on how unexpectedly successful his season had become.
The experience was particularly meaningful because she had supported him through earlier periods when reaching the NHL appeared uncertain.
Metsa has also demonstrated the leadership qualities he attributes to his upbringing through his charitable activities.
He received the Rochester Americans’ AHL Man of the Year recognition for both the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons because of his involvement in the local community.
His continued commitment to supporting others reflects values he has publicly associated with his mother’s influence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zach Metsa’s Family
Who is Zach Metsa’s girlfriend?
Zach Metsa is engaged. He previously confirmed having a girlfriend in October 2025 and discussed his engagement during a September 2026 Buffalo Sabres interview. His fiancée’s name has not been reliably established in official hockey reporting.
Is Zach Metsa married?
There is no verified public confirmation that Zach Metsa is married. He has publicly discussed becoming engaged.
Does Zach Metsa have children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that Zach Metsa has children.
Who is Zach Metsa’s father?
His father is Tom Metsa, who played college ice hockey at Hamline University in Minnesota.
Who is Zach Metsa’s mother?
His mother is Lisa Driscoll, who has supported his hockey development since childhood and influenced his approach to leadership.
How many siblings does Zach Metsa have?
Zach Metsa has three siblings: two brothers named Matthew and Brady, and a sister named Lauren.
Who is Matthew Metsa?
Matthew Metsa is Zach’s brother and a former collegiate hockey player who represented King’s College in Pennsylvania.
Who is Brady Driscoll?
Brady Driscoll is one of Zach Metsa’s brothers. His identity is confirmed in official college athletics biographies, although further personal information is limited.
Who is Lauren Driscoll?
Lauren Driscoll is Zach Metsa’s sister. Her name is documented in the family information provided by Quinnipiac University and King’s College.
Who is Gerald Driscoll?
Gerald “Jerry” Driscoll is identified alongside Zach’s mother, Lisa, in reporting about his collegiate career. His exact relationship within Zach’s blended family is not fully explained in the available official hockey biographies.
Where is Zach Metsa’s family from?
Zach Metsa grew up in Delafield, Wisconsin, United States, where he developed his passion for ice hockey.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
