Nick Tarnasky (born November 25, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He most recently played for the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2016–17 season. Tarnasky previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators and the Florida Panthers.
Playing career Tarnasky was drafted in the ninth round, 287th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2003 NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2005-06 season for the Lightning, and would also play the following two seasons with the team. On September 29, 2008, he was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. On November 27, 2008, he was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Wade Belak. Tarnasky was released by the Panthers in 2010.
In 2010, Tarnasky attended training camp with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. After being cut, he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who assigned him to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. Tarnasky previously played with the Falcons from 2004 through 2006.
On July 3, 2011, Tarnasky signed with Vityaz Chekhov of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). During the 2011–12 season, he scored 4 goals in 36 games.
On July 17, 2012, Tarnasky returned to North America to sign a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres. He was assigned to the club's AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, for the duration of the 2012–13 season.
On July 6, 2013, Tarnasky left the Sabres as a free agent to sign a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens. He was assigned to the club's AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs for the duration of the 2013–14 season.
On July 3, 2014, Tarnasky signed a two-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers.
After two seasons with the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, Tarnasky left at the conclusion of the 2015–16 season as a free agent. On September 8, 2016, he signed a one-year contract with the AHL's San Diego Gulls.
Post-career Tarnasky took on coaching role after playing in the AHL. As of 2025, he is coaching the U17 Red Deer AAA North Stars.https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2025/08/06/nick-tarnasky-cleared-to-coach-by-red-deer-minor-hockey-following-viral-golf-course-brouhaha/
In July 2025, a video recording of Tarnasky engaging in a physical altercation on Alberta Springs Golf Resort outside Red Deer, Alberta with another golfer was posted on the internet. The video went viral gaining tens of millions of views on various social media sites. The RCMP conducted an investigation into the altercation, finding no probable cause to charge Tarnasky. The other man in the altercation later apologized, saying he "played 36 holes of golf, drank way too much and my mouth ran faster than my brain." Tarnasky was additionally cleared to resume coaching.
Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2000–01Leduc Oil Kings AAAAMHL3539296895————— 2000–01Prince Albert RaidersWHL20004————— 2001–02Delta Ice HawksPIJHL11120————— 2001–02Drayton Valley ThunderAJHL20741110————— 2001–02Vancouver GiantsWHL101015————— 2002–03Kelowna RocketsWHL394121639————— 2002–03Lethbridge HurricanesWHL30581345————— 2003–04Lethbridge HurricanesWHL71262349108————— 2004–05Springfield FalconsAHL8071017176————— 2005–06Springfield FalconsAHL6814923100————— 2005–06Tampa Bay LightningNHL120114————— 2006–07Tampa Bay LightningNHL7754980600010 2007–08Tampa Bay LightningNHL80641078————— 2008–09Nashville PredatorsNHL1101117————— 2008–09Florida PanthersNHL3415633————— 2009–10Florida PanthersNHL3112385————— 2009–10Rochester AmericansAHL53037————— 2010–11Florida EverbladesECHL31230————— 2010–11Springfield FalconsAHL6671320150————— 2011–12Vityaz ChekhovKHL365712173————— 2012–13Rochester AmericansAHL7416102613831014 2013–14Hamilton BulldogsAHL7613922144————— 2014–15Hartford Wolf PackAHL2614536————— 2015–16Hartford Wolf PackAHL591552077————— 2016–17San Diego GullsAHL3245953————— AHL totals 486 80 65 145 881 3 1 0 1 4 NHL totals245131730297600010
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