History of Nazem Kadri in Timeline
Nazem Kadri is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames in the NHL. In 2022, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Muslim player to win the Stanley Cup, while playing for the Colorado Avalanche.
October 6, 1990: Birth of Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri was born on October 6, 1990.
2004: Maple Leafs End Playoff Drought
The 2012-2013 season was a momentous one for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they ended their playoff drought, a feat that had last been accomplished in 2004.
2006: OHL Debut with Kitchener Rangers
Nazem Kadri's OHL journey commenced in 2006 after being drafted by the Kitchener Rangers, marking the start of his junior hockey career.
2007: Representing Team Ontario and Canada
In 2007, Nazem Kadri showcased his hockey skills on both national and international stages. He played for Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games, contributing to their gold medal win. Additionally, he represented Canada for the first time at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where the team finished fourth.
2007: Trade to London Knights
In 2007, Nazem Kadri was traded to his hometown team, the London Knights, presenting new opportunities and challenges in his OHL career.
2008: Memorial Cup Final Appearance
In 2008, while playing with the Kitchener Rangers, Nazem Kadri reached the Memorial Cup final. Despite their loss to the Spokane Chiefs, this experience showcased Kadri's talent on a national stage.
2008: Joining the London Knights
Nazem Kadri joined the London Knights in 2008.
2008: End of the 2008-2009 OHL Season
The 2008-2009 OHL season concluded, marking a turning point for Nazem Kadri as he prepared for the NHL draft.
July 6, 2009: Signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs
On July 6, 2009, Nazem Kadri took a significant step in his professional career by signing his first NHL contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
2009: Injury and Missed Opportunities
Unfortunately in 2009, Nazem Kadri suffered a broken jaw, causing him to miss significant playing time, including the World Junior Championships. This setback highlighted the challenges athletes face in their careers.
2009: NHL Entry Draft
In 2009, Nazem Kadri was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking the beginning of his professional NHL career.
2009: Maple Leafs Training Camp
In 2009, Nazem Kadri had the opportunity to attend training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite not making the final cut, he gained valuable experience and exposure to the NHL.
2009: Trying Out for the World Juniors
In 2009, Nazem Kadri aimed to represent Canada at the World Junior Championships but was cut from the selection camp.
2009: Return to the London Knights
After being cut from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nazem Kadri returned to the London Knights for further development and refinement of his skills.
February 8, 2010: NHL Debut
On February 8, 2010, Nazem Kadri achieved a lifelong dream, making his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs against the San Jose Sharks. This moment marked a significant step in his hockey career.
March 30, 2010: CHL Player of the Week
Nazem Kadri's exceptional performance earned him the title of CHL Player of the Week on March 30, 2010, recognizing his significant contributions on the ice.
April 2010: OHL Player of the Month
In April 2010, Nazem Kadri's consistent excellence throughout the month led to him being named the OHL Player of the Month, highlighting his dominance in the league.
2010: Success at the World Junior Championships
In 2010, Nazem Kadri was selected to represent Canada at the World Junior Championships held in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan. He played a crucial role in Canada's preliminary round victory against the United States, scoring a shootout goal against goaltender Jack Campbell.
2010: World Junior Championships Silver Medal
Representing Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championships, Nazem Kadri and his team earned the silver medal. Despite a hard-fought final against the United States, they fell short of the gold.
March 19, 2011: First NHL Goal
On March 19, 2011, Nazem Kadri celebrated a career milestone by scoring his first NHL goal, etching his name in hockey history.
2012: Start of Penalty-Drawing Streak
Beginning in the 2012-2013 NHL season, Nazem Kadri embarked on an impressive streak, consistently drawing penalties at a high rate.
2012: Making History as a Muslim Player
In 2012, Nazem Kadri became a significant figure in NHL history as the highest-drafted Muslim player at the time, following his drafting by the Toronto Maple Leafs. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Nail Yakupov, the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.
2012: AHL All-Star Selection
In 2012, Nazem Kadri's skills earned him a well-deserved selection to the AHL All-Star Game, showcasing his talent among the league's best.
January 19, 2013: First Game of the 2012-2013 Season
On January 19, 2013, after a lockout-shortened season, Nazem Kadri marked the start of the NHL season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He made an immediate impact by scoring the first goal of the season for his team.
September 11, 2013: New Contract with Toronto
On September 11, 2013, Nazem Kadri's value to the Toronto Maple Leafs was solidified when he signed a new two-year contract, reflecting his growing importance to the team.
2014: Suspensions and Team Leading Performance
In 2014, Kadri faced two suspensions: one from his team for being late and another from the NHL for an illegal check. Despite this, he excelled, leading the Toronto centers in goals with 39 points in 73 games.
March 21, 2016: NHL Penalty Leader
By March 21, 2016, Nazem Kadri had established himself as a player who could draw penalties, leading the NHL in the number of penalties drawn. This statistic highlights his ability to create scoring opportunities for his team.
April 1, 2016: Fined for Diving
On April 1, 2016, the NHL fined Kadri $5,000 for multiple diving infractions committed during games against the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames.
April 4, 2016: Suspension and Season End
Kadri received a four-game suspension and a $200,000 fine on April 4, 2016, for cross-checking Detroit Red Wings' Luke Glendening, ending his season prematurely. This incident marked him as a repeat offender under the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
April 13, 2016: Six-Year Contract Extension
Kadri signed a six-year, $27 million contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 13, 2016, following a season where he earned praise for his on-ice performance and penalty-drawing abilities.
January 23, 2017: 100th NHL Goal
Kadri achieved a career milestone on January 23, 2017, by scoring his 100th NHL goal in a game against the Calgary Flames.
2017: Significant Ice Time in Playoffs
During the 2017 playoffs, Kadri played a crucial role for the Toronto Maple Leafs, clocking in approximately 95 minutes of ice time during even strength throughout their series against the Washington Capitals.
February 14, 2018: Fourth Career Hat-Trick
Kadri achieved his fourth career hat-trick in the NHL on February 14, 2018, contributing to a 6-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
July 2018: Wedding Bells
Nazem Kadri married his fiancée, Ashley Cave, in a beautiful ceremony at Casa Loma in Toronto in July 2018.
July 1, 2019: Traded to Colorado Avalanche
In a significant trade on July 1, 2019, the Toronto Maple Leafs sent Kadri, Calle Rosén, and a 2020 third-round draft pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Tyson Barrie, Alexander Kerfoot, and a 2020 sixth-round pick.
July 2019: Welcoming a Daughter
Nazem Kadri and his wife Ashley Cave welcomed their first child, a daughter named Naylah, in July 2019.
2019: Suspension in Playoffs
Kadri was suspended for the remainder of the first round of the 2019 playoffs after cross-checking Jake DeBrusk of the Boston Bruins in Game 2. The Maple Leafs ultimately lost the series.
June 2020: Championing Diversity in Hockey
Nazem Kadri became an inaugural executive board member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance in June 2020. The alliance aims to combat intolerance and racism within the sport of hockey.
2020: Shortened Season and Presidents' Trophy
During the shortened 2020-21 season, Kadri contributed 11 goals and 21 assists in 56 games, helping the Avalanche secure the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top team.
2020: Injury and Playoffs Return
Kadri's 2019-20 season was cut short due to a lower-body injury. However, he rejoined the Avalanche for the playoffs held in a bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, playing a crucial role in their early-round victories.
2021: Career-Best Season
Kadri had a career year in the 2021-22 season, achieving new personal bests in assists and total points while also surpassing a point-per-game average for the first time.
2021: Suspension and Playoff Disappointment
Kadri received an eight-game suspension in the 2021 playoffs for an illegal hit on Justin Faulk during the first round. Despite his appeal, the suspension was upheld, and Kadri missed the remainder of the playoffs. He expressed remorse, saying, "I hate letting people down... When I looked up and saw Justin lying there, I knew what was coming."
August 2022: Honored with the Key to the City
In August 2022, Nazem Kadri received a prestigious honor from his hometown. Ed Holder, the Mayor of London, Ontario, presented him with the Key to the City.
August 18, 2022: Signs with Calgary Flames
On August 18, 2022, Kadri signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Calgary Flames, marking a new chapter in his NHL career.
2022: Stanley Cup Victory with the Colorado Avalanche
In 2022, Nazem Kadri achieved a significant milestone by winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. This victory held special meaning as he became the first Muslim player to hoist the Cup.
2022: Controversial Collision and Stanley Cup Victory
The 2022 playoffs saw Kadri embroiled in controversy again after a collision with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington resulted in an injury that sidelined Binnington for the rest of the series. Despite facing racist and Islamophobic threats, Kadri persevered, scoring his first playoff hat-trick in Game 4. He suffered an injury later in the playoffs but returned for the Stanley Cup Finals, scoring the game-winning overtime goal in Game 4 to help the Avalanche clinch the championship. Kadri's victory was particularly significant as he became the first Muslim player to win the Stanley Cup.