Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nick Schmaltz

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Nick Schmaltz made an impact.

Nick Schmaltz is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Utah Mammoth in the NHL. He formerly played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Arizona Coyotes, until the team suspended operations and all hockey assets were transferred to the expansion Utah Mammoth.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2000: North Dakota's NCAA Championship

In 2016, Nick Schmaltz was named to the All-Tournament Team and North Dakota won their first NCAA championship title since 2000. After his sophomore season, Schmaltz elected to leave North Dakota and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

2007: Blackhawks miss playoffs

Although the Blackhawks missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2007–08 season, finishing 19 points behind the Colorado Avalanche in the race for the second Western Conference wild card spot, Schmaltz had a successful season, finishing with 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points in 78 games.

2011: Joins the Green Bay Gamblers

In 2011, Nick Schmaltz followed his older brother into playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

December 31, 2012: Recorded a Hat-Trick

On December 31, 2012, Nick Schmaltz recorded a hat-trick while playing for the Green Bay Gamblers.

2013: Named to the USHL All-Rookie Team

At the end of the 2012-13 season, Nick Schmaltz was the youngest member of the USHL All-Rookie Team.

2013: Schmaltz represents United States in Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and World Junior A Challenge

In 2013, Nick Schmaltz represented the United States at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, leading all United States scorers with five goals and nine points. The team won the silver medal. Later in 2013, Schmaltz was part of the gold medal-winning United States team at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge. He broke a tournament record with 12 points, and was named the World Junior A Challenge MVP.

2014: Selected by the Blackhawks in the NHL Entry Draft

At the end of the 2013–14 USHL season, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Nick Schmaltz in the first round, 20th overall, of the 2014 NHL entry draft.

2014: Begins playing college ice hockey for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Beginning in the 2014-15 season, Nick Schmaltz began playing college ice hockey for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

2014: Drafted by the Blackhawks

In 2014, Nick Schmaltz was selected in the first round, 20th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL entry draft.

2015: Continues playing for North Dakota

In 2015, Nick Schmaltz continued playing for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, centering a line with Drake Caggiula and Brock Boeser.

2015: Schmaltz plays in 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2015, Nick Schmaltz played for the United States junior team in the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where the team finished in fifth place.

2015: Blackhawks' Forward Core changes

In 2015-16, several members of the Blackhawks' forward core could not return to the team the next year due to NHL salary cap limitations, giving younger players like Schmaltz an opportunity to prove themselves at the NHL level.

October 12, 2016: NHL Debut

On October 12, 2016, Nick Schmaltz made his NHL debut in a 5–2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

2016: Schmaltz wins bronze medal at 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2016, Nick Schmaltz played with the US junior team again for the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, recording eight points in seven games and winning a bronze medal.

2016: Named to All-Tournament Team

2016: North Dakota wins the 2016 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament

In 2016, Nick Schmaltz's team, North Dakota, won the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. He scored the game-winning goal in the tournament semifinals and added an assist in their championship victory.

January 14, 2017: Called back up to Chicago

On January 14, 2017, Nick Schmaltz was called back up to Chicago from the Rockford IceHogs as a replacement for Artem Anisimov.

April 13, 2017: Postseason Debut

On April 13, 2017, Nick Schmaltz made his postseason debut with the Blackhawks in the first game in the first round of the 2017 playoffs.

October 5, 2017: Three-point Outing

On October 5, 2017, Nick Schmaltz had a three-point outing in the first game of the 2017–18 season, with two goals and an assist in the Blackhawks' 10–1 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2017: Breakout 2017-18 season with Ryan Hartman and Patrick Kane

During the 2017-18 season, Nick Schmaltz had a breakout season while playing with Ryan Hartman and Patrick Kane.

2017: Schmaltz represents United States at 2017 IIHF World Championship

In 2017, Nick Schmaltz represented the United States senior team at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, recording three assists in the tournament.

November 2018: Traded to the Coyotes

In November 2018, Nick Schmaltz was traded to the Arizona Coyotes.

November 25, 2018: Traded to Coyotes

On November 25, 2018, Nick Schmaltz was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini.

March 30, 2019: Signs contract extension with the Coyotes

On March 30, 2019, Nick Schmaltz signed a seven-year, $40.95 million contract extension with the Coyotes.

2020: Season Suspension and Playoffs

In 2020, Nick Schmaltz led the Coyotes with 45 points before the NHL season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He missed the Coyotes' postseason run due to an injury.

2020: Reunion with Drake Caggiula

The 2020–21 season meant a reunion for Schmaltz and his college linemate Drake Caggiula, who signed with the Coyotes that offseason.

2021: Sets franchise record

In March of 2021, during the Coyotes' roster overhaul, Nick Schmaltz set a franchise record with seven points in one game.

2021: Fined for pushing Radim Simek

On March 27, 2021, Nick Schmaltz received a $5,000 fine from the NHL Department of Player Safety for dangerously pushing San Jose Sharks defenseman Radim Simek into the boards. On May 3, he was injured during pregame warmups and missed the game, which eliminated the Coyotes from playoff contention. In July, the Coyotes chose to protect him from the Seattle Kraken in the NHL expansion draft.

2021: Coyotes undergo roster overhaul

Prior to the 2021-22 season, the Coyotes underwent a major roster overhaul with Nick Schmaltz being part of a core group of young players that the team wished to build around. Schmaltz was later sidelined with an upper body injury after six games but returned to the lineup on December 11.

March 5, 2022: Schmaltz records seven-point game

On March 5, 2022, Nick Schmaltz became the first player in franchise history to record a seven-point game. He scored two goals and five assists in an 8–5 comeback win over the Ottawa Senators.

2023: Coyotes' franchise suspended; Schmaltz joins Utah Mammoth

In 2023, shortly after the end of the 2023–24 season, the Coyotes' franchise was suspended. Team assets were transferred to the expansion Utah Mammoth and Schmaltz became a member of the Utah team.