History of Matt Duchene in Timeline

Matt Duchene is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the NHL. A veteran player, he has also played for the Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Nashville Predators. Duchene holds the Nashville Predators' franchise record for most goals scored in a single season. He is known for his offensive skills and playmaking abilities as a centre.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

January 16, 1991: Matt Duchene Born

On January 16, 1991, Matthew David Duchene was born. He is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the NHL.

Others born on this day/year

November 1995: Radek Dvořák Records Back-to-Back Two-Goal Games

In November 1995, Radek Dvořák recorded back-to-back two-goal games in the NHL with Florida. This was referenced when Duchene recorded back-to-back two-goal games in December 2009.

2006: Interested in College Hockey

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

2007: Drafted by Brampton Battalion

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

2007: Canada's Last World Championship Gold Medal

In 2007, Canada last won the World Championship gold medal until Matt Duchene helped them win in 2015.

2007: Canada's Last Spengler Cup Win

In 2007, Canada won the Spengler Cup, which was the last time they had won until Matt Duchene helped them win in 2012.

2008: First Season with Brampton Battalion

During the 2007-08 season, Matt Duchene's first season with the Brampton Battalion, he scored 30 goals and 50 points.

2008: International Debut

Matt Duchene made his international debut at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, helping Team Ontario to a gold medal. He also won gold at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships and was selected as captain at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, winning gold.

October 1, 2009: First Career NHL Point

On October 1, 2009, Matt Duchene recorded his first career NHL point in his Avalanche debut against the San Jose Sharks with an assist on a powerplay goal.

October 17, 2009: First NHL Goal

On October 17, 2009, Matt Duchene scored his first NHL goal against Chris Osgood in a 4-3 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings.

November 30, 2009: First Two-Goal NHL Game

On November 30, 2009, Matt Duchene compiled his first two-goal NHL game in a 3-0 shutout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

December 2009: NHL Rookie of the Month

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

2009: Robertson Cup Finals

During the 2008-09 season, Matt Duchene improved to 79 points in 57 games, then added 26 points in the playoffs, helping the Brampton Battalion to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Windsor Spitfires in 2009.

2009: Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche

Entering the 2009 NHL entry draft, Matt Duchene was ranked second overall among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He was then selected third overall by the Colorado Avalanche.

2009: Cut from World Junior Championships

Playing in his second major junior season, Matt 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 6, 2010: Avalanche Clinch Playoff Berth

On April 6, 2010, Matt 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.

May 8, 2010: Full International Debut

Following his rookie season in the NHL, Matt Duchene made his full international debut on May 8, 2010, recording a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win against Italy at the IIHF World Championship in Germany.

November 15, 2010: First Career Fight

On November 15, 2010, Matt Duchene got into his first career fight, facing Vladimir Sobotka of the St. Louis Blues.

January 2011: First NHL All-Star Game

In January 2011, Matt Duchene was chosen to participate in his first NHL All-Star Game. During the contest, he was awarded a penalty shot but was turned away by Henrik Lundqvist.

November 4, 2011: First Career Hat-Trick

On November 4, 2011, Matt 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

Matt Duchene was added to Canada's World Championship team for the 2011 edition of the tournament.

June 23, 2012: Signs with the Avalanche

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

October 2, 2012: Signs with Frölunda HC

On October 2, 2012, due to the NHL lockout, Matt Duchene signed an initial two-month contract with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien.

December 9, 2012: Signs with HC Ambrì-Piotta

On December 9, 2012, Matt Duchene continued to remain in Europe and 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: Signing with HC Ambrì-Piotta and Spengler Cup Win

In 2012, Matt Duchene signed with HC Ambrì-Piotta in Switzerland during the NHL lockout and was added to Canada's roster for the 2012 Spengler Cup, where he helped his nation win for the first time since 2007.

January 7, 2013: Farewelled by HC Ambrì-Piotta

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

July 18, 2013: Signs Five-Year Contract with Colorado

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

2013: Central Division Title

During the 2013-14 season, Matt Duchene helped lead the Avalanche to a Central Division title.

January 7, 2014: Named to Canadian Olympic Roster

On January 7, 2014, Matt Duchene was named to the Canadian roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

March 31, 2014: Knee Injury

On March 31, 2014, the Avalanche announced that Matt 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: Olympic Gold Medal

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

2015: 2015 World Championship Gold Medal

In 2015, Matt Duchene and Canada won the gold medal at the World Championship for the first time since 2007 with a perfect 10-0 record. Duchene tied for third in scoring.

October 13, 2016: Alternate Captain

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

July 8, 2017: Marriage to Ashley Grossaint

On July 8, 2017, Matt Duchene married his long-time girlfriend, Ashley Grossaint.

November 5, 2017: Traded to Ottawa Senators

On November 5, 2017, Matt Duchene was pulled mid-game in a contest against the New York Islanders and traded to the Ottawa Senators as the Avalanche made a three-team trade with Ottawa and the Nashville Predators.

October 29, 2018: Caught on Tape in Uber

On October 29, 2018, Matt Duchene was one of multiple Ottawa Senators players caught on tape in an Uber disparaging their then-assistant coach, Martin Raymond.

2018: Played for the Senators

During the 2017-18 season, Matt Duchene recorded 23 goals and 26 assists in 68 games for the Ottawa Senators.

2018: Final Year of Contract

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

January 9, 2019: Birth of First Child

On January 9, 2019, Matt Duchene's first child, Beau David Newell Duchene, was born.

February 22, 2019: Traded to Columbus Blue Jackets

On February 22, 2019, Matt Duchene was traded (along with Julius Bergman) to the Columbus Blue Jackets for prospects Vitalii Abramov, Jonathan Davidsson, and conditional first-round draft picks.

July 1, 2019: Signs with Nashville Predators

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

July 2019: Signed with Nashville Predators

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

2019: Playoffs with Blue Jackets

In 2019, the Columbus Blue Jackets qualified for the playoffs, upsetting the Tampa Bay Lightning before falling to the Boston Bruins. Matt Duchene finished with five goals and five assists.

November 9, 2020: Birth of Second Child

On November 9, 2020, Matt Duchene's second child, a daughter named Jaymes Olivia Duchene, was born.

2020: Conditional Draft Pick

In February 2019, Matt Duchene was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, one of the conditions was a conditional first-round draft pick in 2020.

2021: Franchise Record

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

July 1, 2023: Signs with Dallas Stars

On July 1, 2023, Matt Duchene signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars for the 2023-24 season. This occurred after being bought out by the Nashville Predators after four seasons, despite having three years left on his original contract signed in July 2019.

December 7, 2023: 1,000th NHL Game

On December 7, 2023, Matt 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.