Career Timeline of Cale Makar: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Cale Makar, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Cale Makar is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. He was drafted fourth overall by the Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Makar is known for his exceptional skating, offensive skills, and hockey IQ, making him one of the league's premier defensemen. He has won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's best defenseman, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs, also winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Joe Colborne Drafted

Joe Colborne was drafted in the first round of the NHL draft.

2013: Drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers

In 2013, Cale Makar was drafted by the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Medicine Hat Tigers in the eighth round, 164th overall, of the WHL Bantam Draft.

October 6, 2017: First Collegiate Point

On October 6, 2017, Cale Makar recorded his first collegiate point in his debut against Arizona State University.

October 27, 2017: First Collegiate Goal

On October 27, 2017, Cale Makar scored his first goal in a 4–0 victory over Merrimack College.

2017: Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche

In 2017, Cale Makar was selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL entry draft.

2017: Selected Fourth Overall in the NHL Entry Draft

In 2017, Cale Makar was selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL entry draft.

April 14, 2019: Signed with the Avalanche

On April 14, 2019, Cale Makar signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche.

November 12, 2019: Avalanche Record

On November 12, 2019, Cale Makar became the second Avalanche defenceman to record 18 points in 18 games as a rookie.

2019: NHL Debut and Calder Memorial Trophy Nomination

In 2019, Cale Makar debuted in the NHL during the Stanley Cup playoffs. He also played his first full season and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.

January 18, 2020: Avalanche Franchise Record

On January 18, 2020, Cale Makar set a new Avalanche franchise record with his 11th goal of the season, besting John-Michael Liles' record for most goals by a rookie defenceman.

July 24, 2021: Signed Extension with the Avalanche

On July 24, 2021, Cale Makar signed a six-year, $54 million extension with the Avalanche.

March 25, 2022: Broke Avalanche's Single-Season Goal Record

On March 25, 2022, Cale Makar broke the Avalanche's single-season record for goals scored by a defenceman with 24 goals.

November 21, 2022: 200th Career Point

On November 21, 2022, Cale Makar recorded his 200th career point in 195 games, the fastest pace of any NHL defenceman to reach that milestone, during a game against the Dallas Stars.

March 6, 2024: First NHL Hat Trick

On March 6, 2024, Cale Makar achieved his first career NHL hat trick during a 7–2 victory against the Detroit Red Wings. He became the first Avalanche defenceman to accomplish this since December 6, 1999.

April 3, 2025: 30th Goal of the Season

On April 3, 2025, Cale Makar scored his 30th goal of the season, becoming only the ninth defenceman in NHL history to reach this milestone, and the second in the post-lockout era.

June 11, 2025: Second Norris Trophy

On June 11, 2025, Cale Makar was awarded his second career Norris Trophy, receiving 176 of 191 first-place votes.

March 18, 2026: 20th Goal of the 2025–26 Season

On March 18, 2026, during a game against the Dallas Stars, Cale Makar scored his 20th goal of the 2025–26 NHL season, making him the first defenceman since Phil Housley to score 20 goals in three straight seasons.