Jake Oettinger’s father, Chris, supported him for the sport from the start, allowing him to try out as a goaltender as a nine-year-old.
In a must-win Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against Edmonton on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Stars starting goalie Jake Oettinger was pulled just 7:09 into the game after allowing goals on the only two shots he faced.
The Stars called a timeout after Mattias Jamark’s short wrister that went under Oettinger’s legs to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead. Casey DeSmith took over in the net after not playing since April 26.
Edmonton, which went into the game with a 3-1 series lead and trying to knock Dallas out in the West final for the second year in a row, got its first goal when 40-year-old Corey Perry scored on a power play only 2:31 into the game.
Less than a minute after DeSmith came into the game, Jeff Skinner scored his first career playoff goal to put the Oilers up 3-0.
Oettinger was 9-8 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against-average in the first 17 games this postseason.
This was already the fourth consecutive postseason for Jake, who has won six playoff series.
DeSmith’s only playoff action had been in the 3rd period of Game 4 in the first round against Colorado. He stopped 13 of 14 in Dallas’ 4-0 loss.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger’s Father Married Kelly After A Divorce From Jake’s Mother, Kateri Oettinger
Born on December 18, 1998, in Lakeville, Minnesota, Jake Oettinger was raised by his father, Chris, and his mother, Kateri Oettinger.
His father, Chris, graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1992, as per his LinkedIn profile.
He served as the national sales manager at Jack Link’s Beef Jerky from August 2014 to December 2014.
Since August 2021, Chris has served as the Director of Sales at Glanbia Performance Nutrition.
Chris supported Jake’s passion by allowing him to try as a goaltender when he was nine.
On the other hand, Jake’s mother, Kateri, a former college athlete, loved hockey hair and believed Jake needed flow if he was going to play sports.
Kateri has avoided social media, so little is known about her personal life.
Jake attended his first NHL game with his parents and has frequently mentioned their support in various interviews.
Sadly, his parents separated several years after Jake’s birth. Following the divorce, Jake’s father, Chris, married Kelly.
Kelly’s first gift to Jake was a Marc-Andre Fleury Fathead, as Fleury was Jake’s childhood hero.
According to Kelly’s LinkedIn profile, she graduated from Concordia College in 1999. She was an account director at Epsilon from December 2019 to January 2021.
Since March 2021, she has served as the senior manager and customer marketing manager at L’Oréal.
Jake Oettinger Shares A Close Bond With His Two Younger Siblings
Goaltender Jake Oettinger has one younger brother, Thomas, 10, and one younger sister, Kendall Oettinger.
Jake left his hometown before Thomas was born.
Despite the age and geographical distances, Jake has done his best to be a long-distance older brother to Thomas.
Thomas, wearing jersey #44, played defense for Lakeville North in the 2024 Squirtacular youth hockey tournament.
When Jake was home during Christmas, he made sure to attend Thomas’s hockey game.
On the other hand, Jake’s sister, Kendall, has stayed out of the media spotlight.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- After spending his freshman year at Lakeville North High School, Jake Oettinger committed to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Juniors for the 2014-15 season.
- Jake and Kennedi Schumacher tied the knot in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in June 2024. Kennedi is a finance and marketing professional who has been working at Tradition Wealth Management, LLC since January 2015.
- During his freshman season at Boston University, Jake posted a 2.11 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
