History of Cale Makar in Timeline

Cale Makar is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. He was drafted fourth overall by the Avalanche in 2017.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1970: Bobby Orr wins Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies

In 1970, Bobby Orr won the Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies. In 2022, Makar became only the third defenceman to win both trophies in the same season after Orr.

1972: Bobby Orr wins Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies

In 1972, Bobby Orr won the Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies. In 2022, Makar became only the third defenceman to win both trophies in the same season after Orr.

October 30, 1998: Cale Makar's Birth

On October 30, 1998, Cale Douglas Makar was born. He is now a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL.

Others born on this day/year

December 6, 1999: Sandis Ozoliņš Hat Trick

On December 6, 1999, Sandis Ozoliņš recorded a hat trick. In 2024, Makar became the first Avalanche defenseman to do so since Ozoliņš.

2002: Nicklas Lidström wins Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies

In 2002, Nicklas Lidström won the Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies. In 2022, Makar became only the third defenceman to win both trophies in the same season after Lidström.

2008: Joe Colborne Drafted

In 2008, Joe Colborne was drafted into the NHL. Makar became the second player in the first round since Colborne to come straight from the AJHL

2011: Joins NWCAA Bruins

In 2011, Cale Makar moved to play with the Northwest Calgary Athletic Association (NWCAA) Bruins at the Bantam level.

2013: Drafted by 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 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.

2014: Led Calgary Flames in Scoring

In the 2014-15 season, Cale Makar led the Calgary Flames in scoring with 23 points in 34 league games, earning team MVP honors and a selection to the Alberta Midget Hockey League First All-Star Team.

August 29, 2015: Committed to UMass Amherst

On August 29, 2015, Cale Makar announced his commitment to play collegiate hockey with the University of Massachusetts Amherst of the Hockey East NCAA conference.

2015: Cousin Plays at Rochester Institute of Technology

From 2015, Makar's cousin, Mark Logan, played at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

2015: World Junior A Challenge Gold Medal

In 2015, Cale Makar competed for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge, helping the team win a gold medal.

2015: Standout Season with Brooks Bandits

In the 2015-16 season, Cale Makar established himself as a standout defenceman with the Brooks Bandits, earning AJHL All-League and All-Rookie recognition. He won the AJHL championship and received multiple awards, including AJHL and CJHL Rookie of the Year, Western Canada Cup Top Defenceman, and RBC Cup awards.

2016: Set a Tournament Record

In 2016, Cale Makar set a tournament single-game record for points by a defenceman at the World Junior A Challenge.

2016: Brent Burns' Season

In the 2016-17 season, Brent Burns had the most goals by a defenceman in the NHL. In 2022, Makar finished the season with 28 goals, the most by a defenceman in the NHL since Burns.

2016: MVP and Top Defenseman in AJHL

In the 2016-17 season, Cale Makar was named MVP and top defenceman in the AJHL, leading all defencemen with 75 points. He also helped Brooks to a second straight AJHL championship and earned RBC Cup honors.

August 4, 2017: Game-Tying Goal Against Sweden

On August 4, 2017, Cale Makar scored a pivotal game-tying goal against Sweden at the World Junior Summer Showcase, helping Canada win the game 7-4.

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.

2018: Continued Development at UMass

In 2018, Cale Makar opted to return for his sophomore season with UMass. He was honored as Hockey East Player of the Year and named a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

2018: Gold at the World Junior Championships

In 2018, Cale Makar played for the Canada junior team, winning a gold medal at the World Junior Championships.

2018: World Junior Championships Gold and All-Tournament Selection

In 2018, Cale Makar won a gold medal as part of the Canada junior team at the World Junior Championships. He led all defensemen with three goals and eight points in seven games and was the only Canadian named to the All-Tournament Team.

2018: Declined Invitation to 2018 Winter Olympics

In 2018, Makar reportedly declined an invitation to join the Canada senior team for the 2018 Winter Olympics to focus on his season at UMass, as he would have had to miss three weeks for the tournament.

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: Reaches 18 points in 18 games

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 with the Colorado Avalanche, making an immediate impact. Makar won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.

2019: Cousin Plays at Rochester Institute of Technology

Until 2019, Makar's cousin, Mark Logan, played at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

January 18, 2020: New 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 a six-year extension with the Avalanche

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

2021: Nomination for the James Norris Memorial Trophy

In 2021, Cale Makar was nominated for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's best defenceman.

2021: Brother Drafted by Avalanche

In 2021, Cale Makar's younger brother Taylor was drafted by the Avalanche in the seventh round of the NHL entry draft.

March 25, 2022: Broke Avalanche's single-season record for goals

On March 25, 2022, Cale Makar scored his 24th goal of the 2021-22 season, breaking the Avalanche's single-season record for goals scored by a defenceman.

November 21, 2022: 200th Career Point

On November 21, 2022, Cale Makar scored his 200th career point in 195 games, becoming the fastest NHL defenceman to reach that milestone.

2022: Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2022, Cale Makar won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the postseason.

2023: Suspension for Hit on Jared McCann

During the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cale Makar received a one-game suspension for a hit on Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann, marking the first disciplinary offense of his NHL career.

March 6, 2024: First NHL Hat Trick

On March 6, 2024, Cale Makar recorded his first career NHL hat trick in a 7–2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the first Avalanche defenseman to do so since Sandis Ozoliņš.

March 31, 2025: Brother Signs with Avalanche

On March 31, 2025, Cale Makar's younger brother Taylor, after spending three years with the Minutemen, signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche.