History of Matt Duchene in Timeline

Matt Duchene is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Dallas Stars in the NHL. Drafted third overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009, he played there for several years before being traded to the Ottawa Senators. He subsequently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators, where he set a franchise record for single-season goals. Duchene is known for his offensive skill and playmaking ability.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

January 1991: Matthew Duchene Born

In January 1991, Matthew David Duchene was born. He is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre.

Others born on this day/year

2006: Interested in College Hockey

In 2006, Duchene verbally stated his interest in college hockey in the United States and verbally committed to playing in the NCAA.

2007: Selected by Brampton Battalion

After the 2006–07 season with the Wolves, Duchene was selected by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Brampton Battalion in the first round of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection.

2007: Spengler Cup Win

In 2007, Canada hadn't won the Spengler Cup since this year, until Duchene helped Canada win it in 2012.

2007: Canada's Last World Championship Gold

The 2015 World Championship marked the first time Canada had won gold since 2007, with Duchene finishing in a tie for third in scoring.

2008: Scored 30 goals and 50 points

In 2007–08 season, Duchene scored 30 goals and 50 points in his rookie campaign with the Brampton Battalion.

2008: International Debut

In 2008, Duchene made his international debut at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He also played in the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships in April and the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August; he won gold at both tournaments.

October 2009: First NHL Point and Goal

In October 2009, Duchene recorded his first career NHL point in his Avalanche debut on October 1, against the San Jose Sharks. Duchene's first goal came later that month on October 17 against Chris Osgood in a 4–3 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings. It was also announced Duchene would spend the entire season with the Avalanche.

December 2009: NHL Rookie of the Month

In December 2009, Duchene was selected as the NHL Rookie of the Month after scoring 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 14 games.

2009: Selected Third Overall

Entering the 2009 NHL entry draft, Duchene was ranked second overall among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. After John Tavares and Victor Hedman were picked first and second respectively, Duchene was selected third overall by the Colorado Avalanche.

2009: Robertson Cup Finals

In 2008–09, Duchene improved to 79 points in 57 games, then added 26 points in the playoffs, helping the Battalion to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Windsor Spitfires.

2009: Drafted by the Avalanche

In 2009, Duchene was selected third overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL entry draft.

2009: Cut from World Junior Championships

Playing in his second major junior season, Duchene participated in Canada's junior camp ahead of the 2009 World Junior Championships, but was ultimately cut from the team's final roster.

April 2010: Playoff Berth and Rookie Season

On April 6, 2010, Duchene scored the game-winning shootout goal in a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks to clinch the Avalanche a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Duchene finished his rookie season third on the Avalanche in scoring with 55 points, and first among NHL rookies.

May 2010: Full International Debut

On May 8, 2010, Duchene made his full international debut, recording a goal and an assist, in a 5–1 preliminary round win against Italy at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany.

November 2010: First Career Fight

On November 15, 2010, Duchene got into his first-career fight, facing St. Louis Blues' forward Vladimír Sobotka.

January 2011: First NHL All-Star Game

In January 2011, Duchene was chosen to participate in his first NHL All-Star Game. He also recorded his 100th career NHL point on January 26 with a goal against Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

November 2011: First Career Hat-Trick

On November 4, 2011, Duchene tallied his first career hat-trick (and first career four-point game) in a 7–6 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.

2011: World Championship

Duchene was again added to Canada's World Championship team for the 2011 edition of the tournament following the Avalanche's failure to make the 2011 playoffs.

June 2012: Signs with the Avalanche

On June 23, 2012, Duchene, as a restricted free agent, signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche worth $7 million.

October 2012: Signs with Frölunda HC

On October 2, 2012, with the 2012–13 NHL lock-out in effect, Duchene signed an initial two-month contract with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien.

December 2012: Signs with HC Ambrì-Piotta

On December 9, 2012, Duchene signed a one-month contract, with the option for the remainder of the lock-out, with HC Ambrì-Piotta of the Swiss National League A.

2012: Plays in Spengler Cup

In 2012, Matt Duchene signed an NHL lock-out contract to play in Switzerland with HC Ambrì-Piotta. He was then added to Canada's roster for the 2012 Spengler Cup. He scored five points in four games and was selected as the centre to the All-Star Team, helping Canada win the Spengler Cup.

January 2013: Farewell from Ambrì Fans

On January 7, 2013, after a tentative agreement to end the NHL lock-out was reached, Duchene was farewelled by Ambrì fans.

July 2013: Signs New Contract with Colorado

On July 18, 2013, Duchene signed a new five-year, $30 million contract with Colorado.

2013: Leads Avalanche Team

The 2013–14 season saw Duchene leading a resurgent Avalanche team to a Central Division title.

January 2014: Named to Canadian Olympic Roster

In January 2014, Matt Duchene was named to the Canadian roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. After a tournament-ending knee injury to John Tavares, Duchene was inserted as the fourth line centre for the tournament semi-final, as well as Canada's gold medal-winning game against Sweden on February 23.

March 2014: Knee Injury

On March 31, 2014, the Avalanche announced that Duchene would likely miss four weeks with a knee injury after colliding with teammate Jamie McGinn during a game against the San Jose Sharks.

2014: Winter Olympics Gold Medal

In 2014, Duchene won a gold medal with Canada at the Winter Olympics.

2015: Wins Gold at World Championship

At the 2015 World Championship, Canada won the gold medal for the first time since 2007 with a perfect 10–0 record. Duchene finished in a tie for third in scoring with four goals and eight assists.

October 2016: Alternate Captain for the Avalanche

On October 13, 2016, the Avalanche announced that Duchene would serve as an alternate captain for the 2016–17 season.

July 2017: Marriage to Ashley Grossaint

On July 2017, Matt Duchene married his long-time girlfriend, Ashley Grossaint.

November 2017: Traded to the Ottawa Senators

On November 5, 2017, Duchene was traded to the Ottawa Senators as the Avalanche made a three-team trade with Ottawa and the Nashville Predators.

October 2018: Uber Video Scandal

On October 29, 2018, Duchene was one of multiple Senators players caught on tape in an Uber disparaging their then-assistant coach, Martin Raymond. The Uber driver sold the video to a local newspaper, which published it on November 5.

2018: Final Year of Contract

Duchene entered the 2018–19 season in the final year of his contract with the Ottawa Senators.

2018: Duchene recorded 23 goals and 26 assists

In 2018, In 68 games for the Senators, Duchene recorded 23 goals and 26 assists.

January 2019: Birth of First Child

On January 2019, Matt Duchene and Ashley Grossaint welcomed their first child, Beau David Newell Duchene.

February 2019: Traded to Columbus Blue Jackets

On February 22, 2019, Duchene was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

July 2019: Signs with Nashville Predators

On July 1, 2019, Duchene signed a seven-year, $56-million contract with the Nashville Predators.

2019: Playoff Run with Blue Jackets

In 2019, The Blue Jackets qualified for the 2019 playoffs as the Eastern Conference's final wildcard team, upsetting the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in four games before falling to the Boston Bruins in the next round.

November 2020: Birth of Second Child

In November 2020, Matt Duchene and Ashley Grossaint welcomed their second child, a daughter named Jaymes Olivia Duchene.

2020: Conditional Draft Pick

In February 2019, Duchene was part of a trade that involved conditional first-round draft picks in 2019 and 2020.

2021: Franchise Record

During the 2021–22 season, Duchene set a franchise record for most goals scored in a season with the Nashville Predators.

July 2023: Signs with Dallas Stars

On July 1, 2023, Duchene signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars for the 2023–24 season. This followed his buy out from the Predators.

December 7, 2023: Played 1,000th NHL Game

On December 7, 2023, Duchene played his 1,000th NHL game, recording an assist on a Mason Marchment goal as the Stars defeated the Washington Capitals 5–4 in a shootout.