Cale Makar

Early Life and Junior Career

Cale Douglas Makar was born in Calgary, Alberta, and began his hockey career within the local Crowchild Blackhawks minor hockey program. He progressed through the Calgary Flames and Northwest Calgary Athletic Association systems at the bantam and minor midget levels. In his only full season with the Calgary Flames minor midget team in 2014-15, he led the team in scoring with 23 points in 34 games and was named the team's most valuable player. To maintain his eligibility for United States college hockey, Makar joined the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) as an affiliate player at the end of that season. He announced his commitment to play for the University of Massachusetts Amherst in August 2015.

Makar quickly became a standout player for the Brooks Bandits. In the 2015-16 season, he recorded 55 points in 54 games, earning AJHL All-League and All-Rookie honours. His performance helped the Bandits win the AJHL championship, and he was named the CJHL Rookie of the Year. The following 2016-17 season was even more remarkable, as Makar led all AJHL defencemen with 75 points in 54 games, winning the league's MVP and top defenceman awards. He led Brooks to a second consecutive AJHL title and was named the RBC Cup MVP for the second straight year, a first in the tournament's history. His exceptional junior career made him a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

NCAA Career and Hobey Baker Award

Honouring his commitment, Makar joined the University of Massachusetts Minutemen for the 2017-18 season. As a freshman, he immediately assumed a top role on the blue line, finishing the season with 21 points in 34 games. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and shared the New England Hockey Writers Association Rookie of the Year award. Despite interest from the Colorado Avalanche to turn professional, Makar returned for his sophomore season to continue his development. His second collegiate season in 2018-19 was historic, as Makar led the Hockey East conference in scoring and was named the Hockey East Player of the Year, the first Minuteman to receive the honour.

He was also a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in NCAA men's ice hockey. On April 12, 2019, Makar was announced as the winner of the Hobey Baker Award. His college career concluded the following night as UMass lost in the NCAA championship game, the Frozen Four final, to the University of Minnesota Duluth. This successful two-year stint solidified his readiness for the professional ranks and completed a decorated amateur career.

NHL Rookie Season and Calder Trophy

The Colorado Avalanche signed Makar to a three-year, entry-level contract on April 14, 2019. He made an immediate and unforgettable NHL debut the very next day in game three of the Avalanche's first-round playoff series against the Calgary Flames. Makar scored a goal on his first shot, becoming the first defenceman in league history to score a playoff goal in his NHL debut. He joined the Avalanche full-time for the 2019-20 season and made a rapid impact. He set a new Avalanche franchise record for goals by a rookie defenceman with 12, surpassing the previous mark held by John-Michael Liles. His outstanding performance made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy alongside Quinn Hughes and Dominik Kubalík. Following the conclusion of the regular season, Makar was awarded the Calder Trophy as the league's rookie of the year. He also set a record for points by a rookie defenceman in a single postseason during the 2020 playoffs, a mark briefly held until Hughes surpassed it the following night.

Stanley Cup Championship and Individual Accolades

Makar's ascent continued in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season. He was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, finishing second in the voting. On July 24, 2021, he signed a six-year contract extension with the Avalanche worth $54 million. The 2021-22 season became the pinnacle of his early career. He broke the Avalanche's single-season record for goals by a defenceman and was named a Norris Trophy finalist for the second consecutive year.

He won the Norris Trophy, becoming the first Avalanche defenceman to do so. In the 2022 playoffs, Makar was instrumental in Colorado's championship run. He recorded 29 points in 20 games, setting a record for points by a defenceman in the first four games of a postseason. After the Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup, Makar was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. He joined Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidström as the only defencemen to win the Norris and Conn Smythe trophies in the same season.

Continued Excellence and Record Contract

Makar maintained his elite status in the following seasons. On November 21, 2022, he recorded his 200th career point in just his 195th game, becoming the fastest defenceman in NHL history to reach that milestone. He was a Norris Trophy finalist again in 2023 and 2024, marking four consecutive nominations. The 2024-25 season saw him reach new offensive heights. On April 3, 2025, he scored his 30th goal of the season, becoming just the ninth defenceman in NHL history and the second in the post-lockout era to hit that mark. He finished with 92 points and won his second James Norris Memorial Trophy on June 11, 2025.

In the 2025-26 season, Makar scored 20 goals for the third straight year, a feat not accomplished by a defenceman since Phil Housley. He also recorded his 500th career point. Following that season, with one year remaining on his existing contract, Makar signed a historic eight-year extension with the Avalanche on August 28, 2026. The contract, with a total value of $163.2 million and an average annual value of $20.4 million, became the most expensive in NHL history and the first to surpass an average of $20 million per season.

International Career with Team Canada

Makar's international career began with Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge, where he won gold in 2015 and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team in both 2015 and 2016. His major junior international debut came at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he helped Canada win a gold medal. Makar led all tournament defencemen with eight points in seven games and was named to the All-Tournament Team. His senior national team debut was delayed due to NHL playoff commitments and the league's non-participation in the 2022 Olympics.

Makar finally played for the senior team at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. After missing one game due to illness, he returned to assist on Connor McDavid's overtime winning goal in the final against the United States, securing a gold medal for Canada. Makar was named to Canada's team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina and served as an alternate captain. Canada advanced to the gold medal game against the United States, where Makar scored the tying goal in the second period. The United States won 2-1 in overtime, with Canada earning a silver medal, and Makar was named to the Olympic All-Star Team for his performance.

Personal Life

Cale Makar is the son of Gary Makar and Laura MacGregor. He was named after former NHL defenceman Cale Hulse and is of Ukrainian descent on his father's side. Growing up in Calgary, he was a fan of the Calgary Flames. His younger brother, Taylor Makar, was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2021 and signed an entry-level contract with the team in 2025 after playing at the University of Massachusetts. Makar's cousin, Mark Logan, played college hockey at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and former NHL player Tom Lysiak was a cousin of Makar's father.

Cale Makar married his longtime girlfriend Tracy Evans in August 2024. The couple later welcomed twin sons in October 2026. On the ice, Makar is known for his exceptional sportsmanship. This was exemplified during a December 2022 game against the New York Islanders when he convinced a referee to rescind a tripping penalty incorrectly assessed against Islanders forward Mathew Barzal. Makar clarified to the official that he had fallen on his own rather than being tripped.

Playing Style and Legacy

Cale Makar is widely regarded as a player whose style has significantly influenced the modern defenceman. His most distinctive attribute is his elite, dynamic skating ability, which allows him to join the rush, create separation from forecheckers, and quarterback the power play with exceptional efficiency. He possesses outstanding offensive instincts, a quick and accurate shot, and superb puck-handling skills, making him a constant threat whenever he is on the ice. Defensively, he uses his skating to close gaps quickly and his active stick to break up plays, though his game is primarily celebrated for its offensive generation and transition excellence.

His impact on the Colorado Avalanche franchise is already historic. He holds numerous team records for a defenceman, including most career goals, assists, and points. His list of individual honours, including two Norris Trophies, a Calder Trophy, and a Conn Smythe Trophy, places him among the most decorated players of his era. The record-setting contract extension he signed in 2026 underscores his immense value to the organization. As he continues his career, Makar is positioned to be remembered as one of the greatest defencemen of his generation and a central figure in the Avalanche's success.

Questions about Cale Makar

What is Cale Makar's contract with the Colorado Avalanche?

On August 28, 2026, Cale Makar signed an eight-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche. The contract has a total value of $163.2 million and an average annual value (AAV) of $20.4 million. This made it the most expensive contract in NHL history at the time of signing and the first to have an AAV exceeding $20 million. The extension begins with the 2027-28 season and runs through the 2034-35 season.

How many Norris Trophies has Cale Makar won?

Cale Makar has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice in his career. He won his first Norris Trophy following the 2021-22 NHL season. He won his second Norris Trophy following the 2024-25 season. In addition to his two wins, he has been a finalist for the award six consecutive times from 2021 through 2026, demonstrating remarkable consistency as one of the league's top defencemen.

Did Cale Makar win a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche?

Yes, Cale Makar won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. He played a crucial role in their championship run, leading the team in playoff scoring with 29 points in 20 games. His postseason performance was so outstanding that he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the entire 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. This made him one of only three defencemen in NHL history to win the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy in the same season.

What international tournaments has Cale Makar played for Canada?

Cale Makar has represented Canada in several major international tournaments. At the junior level, he won a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. With the senior national team, he won a gold medal at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, assisting on the overtime winning goal in the final. He also played for Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, where the team won a silver medal. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at both the 2018 World Juniors and the 2026 Olympics.

What records does Cale Makar hold with the Colorado Avalanche?

Cale Makar holds multiple franchise records for the Colorado Avalanche, primarily for a defenceman. He holds the records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in team history. He also set the single-season record for goals by a defenceman with 28 in 2021-22. As a rookie in 2019-20, he set Avalanche records for most goals, assists, and points by a rookie defenceman. Additionally, he holds the NHL record for fastest defenceman to reach 200 career points, achieving the feat in just 195 games.

Where did Cale Makar play before joining the NHL?

Before his NHL career, Cale Makar developed in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with the Brooks Bandits, where he was a two-time league champion and RBC Cup MVP. He then played two seasons of NCAA hockey with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen. In his sophomore season in 2018-19, he won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men's ice hockey. He joined the Colorado Avalanche directly from college, making his NHL debut in the 2019 playoffs.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.