History of Nick Schmaltz in Timeline

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 before the franchise transferred its hockey assets to Utah. He is a professional athlete in the NHL.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 23, 1996: Nick Schmaltz Born

On February 23, 1996, Nick Schmaltz was born. He is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Utah Mammoth in the NHL.

Others born on this day/year

2000: First NCAA championship title since 2000

In 2016, the Fighting Hawks beat Quinnipiac 5-1, achieving their first NCAA championship title since 2000.

2007: Missed Stanley Cup playoffs

Although the Blackhawks missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 season, Nick Schmaltz had a successful season in 2017.

2011: Joins Green Bay Gamblers

In 2011, Nick Schmaltz joined the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) as an affiliate player.

December 31, 2012: Hat-trick

On December 31, 2012, Nick Schmaltz recorded a hat-trick while playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

2013: International Representation and Gold Medal

In 2013, Nick Schmaltz represented the United States at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and led the team in scoring. Later in 2013, he won a gold medal at the World Junior A Challenge, setting a new tournament record for points.

2013: USHL All-Rookie Team

In 2013, Nick Schmaltz was the youngest member of the USHL All-Rookie Team.

2014: Drafted by Blackhawks

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

2014: College Hockey with North Dakota Fighting Hawks

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

February 23, 2015: NCHC Rookie of the Week

On February 23, 2015, Nick Schmaltz was named the NCHC Rookie of the Week for assisting on two goals of the Fighting Hawks' 3–0 shutout win over Western Michigan.

2015: All-NCHC honorable mention

In 2015, Nick Schmaltz was an All-NCHC honorable mention with five goals and 19 assists in 19 conference games at the end of the season.

2015: World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2015, Schmaltz played for the United States junior team at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he scored his first goal and assist during a game against Switzerland.

2015: Blackhawks forward core

In 2015, 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.

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: NCAA Championship with North Dakota

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

2016: Leaves North Dakota and signs with Blackhawks

In 2016, Nick Schmaltz left North Dakota after winning a championship title and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. He was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

2016: Bronze Medal at World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2016, Schmaltz played in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, recording eight points in seven games and winning a bronze medal after Team USA defeated Sweden in the third-place match.

January 14, 2017: Called Back Up to Chicago

On January 14, 2017, Nick Schmaltz was called back up to Chicago as a replacement for the ill 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 with two goals and an assist in the Blackhawks' 10–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2017: IIHF World Championship

In 2017, Nick Schmaltz represented the United States at the IIHF World Championship, recording three assists; the team failed to medal, losing to Finland in the semi-final.

2017: Breakout season with Blackhawks

In the 2017-18 season, Nick Schmaltz had a breakout season playing with Ryan Hartman and Patrick Kane for the Chicago Blackhawks.

October 13, 2018: First NHL game against brother Jordan

On October 13, 2018, Nick Schmaltz met his older brother Jordan in a regular-season NHL game for the first time, when the Blackhawks defeated the Blues 4–3 in overtime.

November 2018: Traded to the Coyotes

In November 2018, Nick Schmaltz was traded to the Arizona Coyotes after not maintaining his offensive output with the Chicago Blackhawks.

November 25, 2018: Traded to the Arizona Coyotes

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

March 30, 2019: Signed contract extension with Coyotes

On March 30, 2019, Nick Schmaltz, set to become a restricted free agent, signed a seven-year, $40.95 million contract extension with the Coyotes.

2020: Season suspension and playoffs injury

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

2020: Reunion with Caggiula and line nickname

In 2020, Nick Schmaltz reunited with college linemate Drake Caggiula on the Coyotes. The trio was nicknamed the "Short Leash line" by head coach Rick Tocchet.

2021: Franchise Record

During the Coyotes' 2021-22 roster overhaul, Nick Schmaltz was part of the core group of players they chose to build around. In March 2021, he set a franchise record with seven points in one game.

2021: Cousin plays college hockey

In 2021, Nick Schmaltz's cousin Jake began playing college hockey for North Dakota.

March 5, 2022: 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: Move to Utah Mammoth

In 2023, the Coyotes' franchise was suspended and team assets were transferred to the expansion Utah Mammoth, making Schmaltz a member of the Utah team.