When you look at Nic Kerdiles’ story, you’ll find a tale of talent, hard work, and shifts between sports stardom and business success. The former NHL player built his wealth through multiple channels, creating a financial legacy that continues to spark interest even after his passing in 2023.
Nic Kerdiles Net Worth
Nic Kerdiles’ net worth stands between $3 million and $5 million as of 2025 calculations. This range reflects the complexity of valuing an athlete’s estate, particularly when considering both his hockey career earnings and his later business ventures.
Several financial analysis sites have reported conflicting figures about Kerdiles’ wealth. These differences stem from varying methods of calculation and the challenge of accounting for private investments, especially his real estate holdings that fluctuated in value over time.
His wealth came from three main sources:
- Professional hockey contracts with NHL teams
- Real estate sales and investments
- Personal business ventures
What’s often overlooked in discussions of Kerdiles’ finances is how his two-way contracts worked. These agreements paid different amounts depending on whether he played in the NHL or minor leagues, creating yearly income variations that many reports fail to explain correctly.
The $3-5 million range takes into account his known hockey salary history, public real estate transactions, and business activities before his passing. This figure represents a more accurate picture than the one-number estimates found in many articles.
Career
Kerdiles’ journey to professional hockey began with his selection by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. As the 36th overall pick in the second round, this marked the start of what many expected would be a promising career.
His NHL career included stints with both the Anaheim Ducks and later the Winnipeg Jets. His contract history shows the typical progression of a developing player:
His first professional contract with Anaheim came with an entry-level structure – a standard approach for young players entering the league. This deal included performance bonuses and a two-way payment structure that changed based on whether he played in the NHL or the minor leagues.
The most significant contract of his career came with the Winnipeg Jets, who signed him to a $650,000 two-way deal. This contract type meant he would earn the full amount while playing in the NHL, but a reduced salary if assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL).
During his time with the Jets, Kerdiles showed flashes of the talent that had made him a high draft pick. However, like many players, he moved between the NHL club and their AHL affiliate as he developed his game.
What many fans don’t realize is that NHL players on two-way contracts face significant income swings. When Kerdiles played in the NHL, his salary reflected his $650,000 contract. However, when assigned to the minor leagues, his pay dropped substantially – often to around $70,000-$100,000 per year. This system created financial uncertainty for players still establishing themselves at the highest level.
His career NHL statistics show modest production over his limited time in the league. Kerdiles appeared in three NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2016-17 season and played an additional handful of games the following year. While these numbers might seem small, reaching the NHL at all places him among an elite group of hockey players worldwide.
Most of Kerdiles’ professional playing time came in the American Hockey League, where he suited up for the San Diego Gulls and later the Manitoba Moose. His AHL career spanned parts of five seasons, during which he scored 47 goals and added 49 assists for 96 points in 178 games.
Hockey and Other Income Streams
After stepping away from professional hockey, Kerdiles made a successful transition to business that significantly boosted his net worth. His most notable achievement came in real estate, where he built a reputation as a skilled agent and investor.
Kerdiles joined Compass real estate in Nashville, Tennessee, focusing on luxury properties. This career move proved financially rewarding, as he leveraged his status as a former professional athlete to build connections with high-net-worth clients.
Working in the Nashville market, known for its strong growth and desirable properties, Kerdiles positioned himself well in a thriving sector. Real estate commission structures typically pay agents between 2.5-3% of a home’s selling price, meaning that selling just a few luxury homes could generate substantial income.
For example, a $1 million home sale would typically earn him between $25,000-$30,000 in commission. With Nashville’s luxury market featuring numerous properties in this range and higher, Kerdiles found a path to wealth that could potentially exceed his hockey earnings.
Beyond working as an agent, Kerdiles also invested in properties himself. While the full extent of his personal real estate portfolio hasn’t been publicly disclosed, public records and social media posts indicated he owned multiple properties that appreciated during Nashville’s housing boom.
What made Kerdiles’ real estate career particularly effective was his understanding of athlete finances. He could connect with sports figures looking to invest their earnings wisely, creating a niche clientele that trusted his background and expertise.
Unlike many athletes who struggle with the transition to post-playing careers, Kerdiles made this shift smoothly. His business acumen allowed him to build wealth more consistently than the up-and-down nature of two-way hockey contracts.
His financial portfolio also included some endorsement deals, though these represented a smaller portion of his income compared to real estate. As a professional athlete with connections in both Southern California and Nashville markets, he secured partnerships with local businesses and sports-related brands.
Death in Motorcycle Accident
The tragic motorcycle accident that claimed Nic Kerdiles’ life in September 2023 left many questions about his financial legacy. At just 29 years old, his death came during what would normally be the wealth-building phase of life.
After his passing, the distribution of his estate became a subject of speculation. Without publicly available details of his will or estate planning, the exact allocation of his assets remains private. This information gap has led to conflicting reports about the current status of his wealth.
Several myths have circulated about Kerdiles’ finances since his death. One persistent rumor suggests he had “hidden millions” beyond what financial records show. This claim likely stems from confusion about his real estate activities, where he may have represented high-value transactions without personally owning those properties.
Another misconception involves ongoing contracts after his death. While some reports incorrectly suggested he had active NHL deals into 2024-25, his professional hockey career had already concluded before his passing. His primary income at the time came from his real estate work.
The value of Kerdiles’ estate would likely be determined by:
- Cash and investment accounts
- Real estate properties in his name
- Any business ownership stakes
- Personal belongings with significant value
- Life insurance policies
Typically, when a person passes away without a spouse or children, as was the case with Kerdiles, assets pass to parents or siblings according to state inheritance laws. Without public probate records, we can’t confirm the exact distribution of his estate.
One aspect that may affect the valuation of his legacy is the difference between gross wealth and net worth. While Kerdiles may have sold properties worth millions, his personal net worth would reflect his equity in those deals after accounting for mortgages, loans, and other obligations.
Personal Life
Beyond his career earnings, Kerdiles’ financial story includes aspects of his personal life that influenced his wealth. His relationship with reality TV star Savannah Chrisley gained public attention, including an engagement that was later called off in 2020.
While celebrity relationships often involve financial entanglements, there’s no evidence that this connection significantly impacted Kerdiles’ net worth. The couple maintained separate finances, and their split appeared to be a clean break without complicated asset division.
Kerdiles’ lifestyle choices reflected someone who enjoyed the benefits of his success while maintaining financial prudence. His social media showed a balance between enjoying luxury experiences and building his business foundation. He owned multiple vehicles, including the motorcycle he was riding at the time of his accident, but didn’t display the excessive spending that has derailed many athletes’ finances.
His background may have influenced his approach to money. Born in Lewisville, Texas, and raised in Irvine, California, Kerdiles grew up understanding both middle-class values and the opportunity for upward mobility. This foundation likely helped him make the transition from hockey player to businessman.
Unlike many professional athletes who face financial difficulties after retirement, Kerdiles appeared to manage the transition successfully. His pivot to real estate provided not just income but also investment opportunities that could appreciate over time.
Final Thoughts
Nic Kerdiles’ financial story offers an interesting case study in athlete wealth. His net worth of $3-5 million represents the combined result of his professional hockey career and his successful transition to business.
His path shows how athletes can leverage their professional sports experience into broader opportunities. By using his status as a former NHL player to build connections in real estate, Kerdiles created a second career that potentially generated more wealth than his hockey contracts.
The questions surrounding his net worth after his passing highlight the challenges of valuing a person’s financial legacy, especially when private business dealings are involved. While we can estimate his wealth based on public information, the complete picture remains known only to those managing his estate.
What’s clear is that Kerdiles managed to build significant wealth by his late 20s through a combination of athletic talent and business acumen. His story serves as both a reminder of a promising life cut short and an example of financial success beyond the playing field.
For fans and financial observers alike, Nic Kerdiles represents more than just a former hockey player. His journey from NHL draft pick to real estate professional demonstrates how careers can evolve and how wealth can be built through multiple channels. Though his life ended tragically early, his financial legacy continues through the assets and example he left behind.