Aaron Douglas Ness (born May 18, 1990) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the New York Islanders in the 2nd round (40th overall) of the 2008 NHL entry draft.
Playing career Ness played High School hockey at Roseau High School in Roseau, Minnesota, and in 2008 he received the Minnesota Mr. Hockey award as the most outstanding senior high school hockey player in the state of Minnesota. In an effort to be able to play collegiate hockey one year earlier than projected, Ness accelerated his course load during his junior year of high school in order to graduate early. A combination of 8 classes at school as well as 3.5 credits online, however, did not stop him from leading his team to a fourth-place finish at the 2008 2A State Tournament.Rand, Michael. "BOYS' HOCKEY NOTES; Aaron Ness of Roseau wins Mr. Hockey award." Star Tribune [Minneapolis, MN] 10 Mar. 2008: 10C.Business Insights: Essentials. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Ness then attended the University of Minnesota, where he played three seasons of NCAA Division I college hockey with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
On March 16, 2011, the New York Islanders signed Ness to a three-year entry-level contract. In the 2014–15 season, Ness served as team captain of AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
On July 1, 2015, Ness left the Islanders organization as a free agent and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals. He later re-signed with the Capitals on May 16, 2018, to another one-year two-way contract.
The Capitals called Ness up from Hershey on November 8, 2018, together with fellow defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler, to be available to play against the Columbus Blue Jackets the next night at home in his first NHL game. Veteran Caps defencemen Brooks Orpik (injured reserve) and John Carlson (day-to-day) were both unavailable to play.
After four seasons within the Capitals organization, Ness left as a free agent to sign a two-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes on July 1, 2019.
Having left the Coyotes organization as a free agent, Ness was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Providence Bruins on September 30, 2021, and was invited to the Boston Bruins training camp on a professional try-out. He was later signed to an AHL contract with affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
On July 5, 2022, Ness as a free agent, opted to continue his career in the AHL by returning to his former club, the Hershey Bears, on July 5, 2022.
On October 23, 2024, Ness was promoted to captain of the Hershey Bears, after Dylan McIlrath went up to Washington.
On June 2, 2026, Ness announced his retirement from professional ice hockey.
Personal life Aaron's father, Jay, also grew up in Roseau and played collegiate hockey for the University of North Dakota. Jay was drafted in the 7th round of the 1982 draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.Spiros, Dean. "Taking the fast track to stardom; Acceleration is at the forefront for Roseau's Aaron Ness, be it on the ice or in the classroom."Star Tribune [Minneapolis, MN] 8 Feb. 2008: 01C. Business Insights: Essentials. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.Jay Ness at eliteprospects.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2019, from https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/194976/jay-ness.
Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2005–06Roseau High SchoolHS-MN30318218————— 2006–07Roseau High SchoolHS-MN3113385112————— 2007–08Roseau High SchoolHS-MN3128447216————— 2007–08U.S. NTDP U18USDP90662————— 2008–09University of MinnesotaWCHA372151716————— 2009–10University of MinnesotaWCHA392101224————— 2010–11University of MinnesotaWCHA352121441————— 2010–11Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL131344————— 2011–12Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL69522273630004 2011–12New York IslandersNHL90002————— 2012–13Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL763242730————— 2013–14Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL486142047————— 2013–14New York IslandersNHL2012310————— 2014–15Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL748374562————— 2015–16Hershey BearsAHL626212722210121212 2015–16Washington CapitalsNHL80222————— 2016–17Hershey BearsAHL51512172490110 2016–17Washington CapitalsNHL20000————— 2017–18Washington CapitalsNHL80118————— 2017–18Hershey BearsAHL554252926————— 2018–19Hershey BearsAHL71550554060220 2019–20Tucson RoadrunnersAHL1727914————— 2019–20Arizona CoyotesNHL240110————— 2020–21Arizona CoyotesNHL10000————— 2021–22Providence BruinsAHL55316191620112 2022–23Hershey BearsAHL695141944161018 2023–24Hershey BearsAHL684192324101122 2024–25Hershey BearsAHL52391234800010 2025–26Hershey BearsAHL381562660006 AHL totals 818 61 278 339 449 81 2 17 19 44 NHL totals 72 1 6 7 22 — — — — —
International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2008 United States WJC18 7 0 6 6 2 2022 United States OG 5th 4 0 1 1 2 Junior totals 7 0 6 6 2 Senior totals 4 0 1 1 2
Awards and honors Award Year College WCHA All-Academic Team 2010–11 AHL Second All-Star Team 2018–19 Calder Cup 2023, 2024
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