History of Nick Suzuki in Timeline

Nick Suzuki is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently serving as the captain for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL. Drafted 13th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, Suzuki is a center known for his skillful playmaking, earning him the moniker "Slick Nick." He is a key player for the Canadiens and a rising star in the league.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: First Canadien since Mats Naslund to record 100 point season

On April 12, during the 2025-26 season, Nick Suzuki recorded his 100th point of the season, making him the first Canadien since Mats Näslund did so in the 1985–86 season.

1996: First Canadien since 1996 to reach 90 points

During the 2025-26 NHL season, with a three-point game against the Hurricanes on March 29, Nick Suzuki reached and then surpassed the 90-point mark, the first Canadien to do so since 1996.

1996: Third-fastest Canadien since 1996 to record 100 points

On December 7, 2021, Nick Suzuki collected his 100th career NHL point with an assist. With this, he became the ninth-youngest skater to record 100 points with Montreal and, doing so in 154 games, the third-fastest of any Canadien since 1996.

August 10, 1999: Nick Suzuki Born

On August 10, 1999, Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki, later known as Nick Suzuki, was born.

2005: First Montreal teammates to score their first career goals in the same game since Higgins and Perezhogin

On October 3, 2019, Suzuki and defenceman Victor Mete became the first Montreal teammates to score their first career goals in the same game since Chris Higgins and Alexander Perezhogin in 2005.

2006: Fifth Attack player to record 100-point season

During the 2017-2018 season, Suzuki became the fifth Attack player in history to record a 100-point season, and the first since Bobby Ryan during the 2006–07 season.

2007: Reached 80-point mark

On April 3, 2025, Nick Suzuki reached the 80-point mark, becoming the first player to reach that point total for the franchise since Alex Kovalev in 2007–08.

2008: First Attack rookie to produce 20 goals since Hishon

In 2015, Suzuki became the first Attack rookie to produce 20 goals in his 16-year-old season since Joey Hishon in 2008.

2014: ALLIANCE Hockey Player of the Year

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

2015: Signed with Owen Sound Attack

In 2015, Suzuki was selected in the first round (14th overall) of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) priority selection draft by the Owen Sound Attack, and he signed with the team in June, marking an important step in his junior hockey career.

2015: Member of Team Ontario at the 2015 Canada Winter Games

Prior to his major junior career, Nick Suzuki was a member of Team Ontario at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, winning a gold medal.

2016: Began dating Caitlin Fitzgerald

During the 2016–17 OHL season, Nick Suzuki began dating Caitlin Fitzgerald after the two connected on social media while he was living in Owen Sound.

2016: Named a Player to Watch

Entering the 2016–17 season, Suzuki was named a Player to Watch by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, acknowledging his growing potential.

2016: Named to Canadian national under-18 team roster for the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup

In 2016, Nick Suzuki was named to the Canadian national under-18 team roster for the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

June 2017: Selected by Vegas Golden Knights

In June 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL) selected Suzuki in the first round, 13th overall, of that year's NHL entry draft.

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, marking the beginning of his professional hockey career.

2017: Attended Golden Knights Training Camp

Prior to the 2017–18 season, Suzuki attended the Golden Knights' training camp before being reassigned to Owen Sound, marking his first experience with an NHL team.

February 3, 2018: Recorded 200th OHL point

On February 3, 2018, 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, Suzuki was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with Tomáš Tatar and a second-round pick in exchange for Max Pacioretty, changing the course of his NHL career.

2018: Assigned to Chicago Wolves

After his OHL season concluded in 2018, the Golden Knights assigned Suzuki to the Chicago Wolves, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, for that year's Calder Cup playoffs, marking his first experience in professional hockey.

January 9, 2019: Traded to Guelph Storm

On January 9, 2019, Suzuki was part of another trade that sent himself, Zachary Roberts, and Sean Durzi to the Guelph Storm in exchange for forwards 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, Suzuki made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens in a 4–3 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, marking his official entry into the National Hockey League.

2019: Participated in the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

As a member of the Canadian national junior team, Nick Suzuki participated in the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in British Columbia. Canada was eliminated following a 2–1 quarterfinal loss to Finland.

2019: Awarded Wayne Gretzky 99 Award

In 2019, Suzuki was named recipient of the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the league's Playoff MVP after winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup with Guelph.

2019: Brother drafted in the 2019 NHL entry draft

Nick Suzuki's younger brother, Ryan, was selected in the first round, 28th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

2019: Kirby Dach was the 2019 third overall selection

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

February 8, 2020: Recorded 35th Point

On February 8, 2020, Suzuki recorded his 35th point with an assist on Ilya Kovalchuk's game-winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs, achieving a significant milestone as a Montreal rookie.

2020: Named to NHL All-Rookie Team

At the end of the 2020 season, Suzuki was named to the annual NHL All-Rookie Team, recognizing his outstanding performance in his debut NHL season.

2020: Began season on top offensive line

During the 2020–21 season, Suzuki started the year on the top offensive line with Drouin and Josh Anderson, beginning the year on a six-game point streak.

October 12, 2021: Signed eight-year, $63 million extension

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

2021: Advanced to Stanley Cup Finals

During the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, Suzuki and the Canadiens advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. They eventually lost the series in five games against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

September 12, 2022: Named Captain of the Canadiens

Prior to the 2022–23 season, on September 12, 2022, Nick Suzuki was named captain of the Canadiens, becoming the 31st overall for the franchise and the youngest in team history at 23 years old.

September 2022: Urged to learn French

Upon being named Canadiens captain in September 2022, several prominent politicians in Quebec urged Nick Suzuki to learn French as a way to connect with the Montreal fanbase.

2022: Draft Pick

During the 2023-24 season, Juraj Slafkovský, the team's 2022 first overall draft pick, gradually established himself as a regular presence alongside Suzuki and Caufield.

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

In January 2022, Nick Suzuki, who led the Montreal Canadiens with 19 points in 35 games, was named Montreal's representative for the 2022 NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

2023: Appeared in a Pepsi Commercial speaking French

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

2023: Started 2023-24 season

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

April 24, 2024: Announced engagement

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: Milestones during the 2023-24 season

In early 2024, Nick Suzuki was chosen to represent the Canadiens at the All-Star Game for the third consecutive year and on March 5, 2024, Suzuki scored his 100th career NHL goal.

March 2, 2025: 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, Nick Suzuki would be named the NHL's third star of the week for the period ending on March 2, 2025.

2025: Named to the Canadian national senior team roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics

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: Began 2025-26 season

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

April 15, 2026: Birth of daughter Maya

On April 15, 2026, Nick Suzuki's daughter Maya was born.

2026: Participated in the 2026 Winter Olympics

During the 2025-2026 season, Nick Suzuki participated in the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan, scoring a crucial game-tying goal in the quarterfinal rematch with Czechia. Canada was ultimately defeated by the United States in the final, earning the silver medal.