History of Nick Suzuki in Timeline

Nick Suzuki is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently serving as the centre and captain for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL. Drafted 13th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, Suzuki is recognized for his skill and creativity on the ice, leading to the moniker "Slick Nick". He represents a key player and leader for the Canadiens.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 10, 1999: Nick Suzuki's Birth

On August 10, 1999, Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki was born. He would grow up to be a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain for the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL.

2005: Chris Higgins and Alexander Perezhogin's first NHL goals in the same game.

In 2005, Chris Higgins and Alexander Perezhogin were the last Montreal teammates to score their first career goals in the same game before Suzuki and Victor Mete in 2019.

2006: Bobby Ryan's 100-point Season

In 2006, Bobby Ryan was the last player before Nick Suzuki to record a 100-point season as a member of the Owen Sound Attack.

2007: Last Player to Reach 80 Points

In 2007-08, Alex Kovalev was the last player before Suzuki to reach that point total for the franchise.

2008: Joey Hishon's Rookie Season

In 2008, Joey Hishon was the last Attack rookie before Nick Suzuki to produce 20 goals in his 16-year-old season.

2014: ALLIANCE Hockey Player of the Year

In 2014, after leading the league with 34 goals and 68 points in 31 games, Nick Suzuki was named the ALLIANCE Hockey Player of the Year for the 2014–15 season.

2015: Won gold medal at 2015 Canada Winter Games

In 2015, Nick Suzuki was a member of Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games, winning a gold medal.

2015: Selected by Owen Sound Attack in OHL draft

In 2015, Nick Suzuki was selected in the first round (14th overall) of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) priority selection draft by the Owen Sound Attack and signed with the team in June.

2016: Began Dating

During the 2016–17 OHL season, Suzuki began dating Caitlin Fitzgerald.

2016: Named a Player to Watch by NHL Central Scouting Bureau

In 2016, Nick Suzuki was named a Player to Watch by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and was later named to Team Cherry at the 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

2016: Participated in 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup

In 2016, Nick Suzuki was named to the Canadian national under-18 team roster for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, where he collected one goal and three points in four games.

June 2017: Drafted by Vegas Golden Knights

In June 2017, Nick Suzuki was selected in the first round, 13th overall, of the NHL entry draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.

2017: Drafted by Vegas Golden Knights

In 2017, Nick Suzuki was selected in the first round, 13th overall, by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL entry draft.

2017: Reassigned to Owen Sound

In 2017, after attending the Golden Knights' training camp, Nick Suzuki was reassigned to Owen Sound on September 22.

February 3, 2018: 200th OHL Point

On February 3, 2018, Nick Suzuki registered his 200th OHL point with an assist on Kevin Hancock's goal against the Kitchener Rangers.

September 10, 2018: Traded to Montreal Canadiens

On September 10, 2018, Nick Suzuki was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, along with Tomáš Tatar and a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft, in exchange for Max Pacioretty.

2018: Assigned to Chicago Wolves for Calder Cup Playoffs

In 2018, after his OHL season concluded, the Golden Knights assigned Nick Suzuki to the Chicago Wolves, their AHL affiliate, for that year's Calder Cup playoffs. He made a brief appearance despite the team being swept in the first round.

January 9, 2019: Traded to Guelph Storm

On January 9, 2019, Nick Suzuki, along with Zachary Roberts and Sean Durzi, was traded to the Guelph Storm in exchange for Zachary Pointer and Barret Kirwin, defenceman Mark Woolley, and picks in the next four OHL priority selection drafts.

October 3, 2019: NHL Debut

On October 3, 2019, Nick Suzuki made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens in a 4–3 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

2019: Kirby Dach drafted into the NHL

In 2019, Kirby Dach was the third overall selection acquired by the Canadiens in the offseason, whom had the initial expectation that he would play centre.

2019: Participated in the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2019, Nick Suzuki participated in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in British Columbia, providing three assists in five games. Canada was eliminated following a 2–1 quarterfinal loss to Finland.

2019: Won J. Ross Robertson Cup and Named Playoff MVP

In 2019, Nick Suzuki won the J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Guelph Storm and was named recipient of the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the league's Playoff MVP after recording 16 goals and 42 points in 24 games.

February 8, 2020: Recorded 35th Point of the Season

On February 8, 2020, Nick Suzuki recorded his 35th point with an assist on Ilya Kovalchuk's game-winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the first Montreal rookie to reach that many points since Chris Higgins during the 2005-06 season.

2020: Named to NHL All-Rookie Team

At the end of the 2020 season, Nick Suzuki was named to the annual NHL All-Rookie Team.

2020: Began 2020-21 season on the top offensive line

At the start of the 2020-21 season, Nick Suzuki began the year on the top offensive line with Jonathan Drouin and Josh Anderson, starting with a six-game point streak.

October 12, 2021: Signing eight-year extension with Canadiens

On October 12, 2021, Nick Suzuki signed an eight-year, $63 million contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens, set to last through the 2029–30 NHL season.

2021: Stanley Cup Playoffs Run

In 2021, Nick Suzuki and the Canadiens faced the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Montreal advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. Suzuki finished the postseason with seven goals and 16 points in 22 games.

September 12, 2022: Named Captain of the Canadiens

On September 12, 2022, prior to the 2022–23 season, Nick Suzuki was named captain of the Montreal Canadiens, succeeding Shea Weber. At 23 years old, he became the 31st captain for the franchise and the youngest in team history.

September 2022: Urged to learn French

In September 2022, after being named Canadiens captain, several prominent politicians in Quebec and Sidney Crosby urged Nick Suzuki to learn French to connect with Montreal fanbase. Suzuki acknowledged he was better at reading French than speaking it.

2022: Draft Pick Juraj Slafkovský

In 2022, Juraj Slafkovský, the team's first overall draft pick, gradually established himself as a regular presence alongside Suzuki and Caufield, a combination which would enjoy strong results.

2022: Named Montreal's representative for the 2022 NHL All-Star Game

In January 2022, Nick Suzuki, leading the team with 19 points in 35 games, was chosen as Montreal's representative for the 2022 NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

2023: Pepsi Commercial

In 2023, Nick Suzuki appeared in a Pepsi commercial speaking French in which his pronunciation was praised.

2023: Beginning of the 2023-24 season

In 2023, Suzuki began the 2023–24 season with marginal point production in the opening stretch of games, attracting some criticism, but began to improve his totals by late October.

April 24, 2024: Engagement Announcement

On April 24, 2024, Nick Suzuki and Caitlin Fitzgerald announced their engagement.

November 11, 2024: Registered 300th career NHL point

On November 11, 2024, Nick Suzuki registered his 300th career NHL point in a 7–5 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

2024: Suzuki selected for NHL All-Star Game for the third consecutive year

In early 2024, Nick Suzuki was chosen to represent the Canadiens at the All-Star Game for the third consecutive year.

March 2, 2025: Named NHL's third star of the week

After registering nine points through eight games during the month of February, including a stretch of three goals and four assists through the Canadiens' final three games of the monthly schedule, Suzuki was named the NHL's third star of the week for the period ending on March 2, 2025.

December 2025: Pregnancy Announcement

In December 2025, it was announced that Nick Suzuki and Caitlin Fitzgerald were expecting their first child.

2025: Named to the Canadian national senior team

During the 2025–26 season, Nick Suzuki was named to the Canadian national senior team roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan.

2025: Start of 2025-26 Season

Nick Suzuki began the 2025–26 season playing alongside Caufield and Slafkovský, but from late November the latter was moved onto the team's second line in a bid to bolster offensive depth.

2026: Participated in 2026 Winter Olympics

In 2026, Nick Suzuki participated in the Winter Olympics held in Milan. He scored a goal in Canada's opening victory against Czechia in the group stage and a crucial game-tying goal in the tournament quarterfinal rematch with Czechia.