Cale Makar

Cale Makar is a Canadian professional ice hockey player renowned for his exceptional skill, speed, and hockey intelligence, making him one of the NHL’s premier defensemen. Born on October 30, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, Makar grew up playing hockey in his hometown. He began his rise in minor hockey with the Calgary Flames AAA program before joining the Brooks Bandits in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), where he became a standout player.

During his time with the Bandits, Makar earned widespread recognition, winning the AJHL MVP award twice and leading his team to a league championship in 2017. Opting for the NCAA route, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he further developed his game. In his sophomore season, Makar won the prestigious Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey and helped lead UMass to the national championship game.

Makar was selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut during the 2019 playoffs, scoring a goal in his first game. Since then, he has emerged as a cornerstone of the Avalanche’s defense. Known for his offensive creativity, smooth skating, and defensive reliability, Makar won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2020 and the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman in 2022. That same year, he played a key role in helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Off the ice, Makar is admired for his humility and work ethic. He has quickly become one of the most exciting and respected players in hockey, cementing his status as a generational talent.