Cale Makar

Cale Makar is a Canadian defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche who won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy in 2022 and has twice won the Norris Trophy.

Cale Douglas Makar was born on 30 October 1998 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and played two seasons of college hockey with the UMass Minutemen before the Colorado Avalanche selected him fourth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Makar made his NHL debut during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in his first full season, quickly establishing himself as one of the most dynamic offensive defencemen the league has produced. Makar won the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenceman in 2022 and again in 2025, and helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, delivering some of the most dominant individual playoff performances by a defenceman in recent memory. Makar has continued to anchor Colorado's blue line alongside his younger brother Taylor, who also plays in the organisation, representing Canada internationally and remaining one of the most electrifying and statistically dominant defencemen in the modern NHL.

Makar is an elite offensive defenseman known for his exceptional skating ability and speed. He possesses outstanding puck-handling skills and vision, allowing him to create scoring opportunities and quarterback the power play effectively. His mobility and acceleration make him dangerous in transition, while his shot and passing ability contribute significantly to his team's offensive production.

Makar has redefined the modern NHL defenseman position with his dynamic offensive capabilities and elite skating. He represents the new generation of defensemen who can impact games at both ends of the ice with speed and skill.

• Stanley Cup champion (2022)
• Conn Smythe Trophy (2022)
• Norris Trophy (2022, 2025)
• Calder Trophy (2020)