Moritz Seider is a German defenceman who won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 2022, becoming a cornerstone of the Detroit Red Wings' rebuild.
Moritz Seider was born on 6 April 2001 in Zell, Germany, and developed his game with Adler Mannheim before being described by scouts as the best German defence prospect since Christian Ehrhoff ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft that took place that summer. The Detroit Red Wings selected Seider sixth overall in 2019, and he returned to Germany on loan to Adler Mannheim for the 2020-21 season due to the pandemic-delayed North American schedule before finally making his full NHL debut the following season. Seider won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2022, becoming one of the most decorated young defencemen to emerge from German hockey in decades of the sport's history, and was named an alternate captain for the Red Wings. Seider has continued to anchor Detroit's blue line, representing Germany internationally throughout his career, and remains one of the most highly regarded two-way defencemen currently playing in the modern NHL today.
German defenceman, 2022 Calder Trophy winner with the Detroit Red Wings
How They Played
Seider is a complete two-way defenseman who excels in all areas of the game. He possesses exceptional vision and passing ability, allowing him to quarterback the power play and create offensive opportunities from the blue line. His combination of size, skating ability, and hockey IQ makes him effective in both defensive zone coverage and transitioning the puck up ice.
Lasting Impact
Seider has paved the way for future German hockey players and elevated the profile of German hockey on the international stage.
Career Honours
- Calder Memorial Trophy (2022)
- 6th overall pick, 2019 NHL Draft
| Team | Period | GP | Goals | Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | 2021–2024 | 246 | 8 | #46 |
| Adler Mannheim | 2017–2019 | — | — | — |
| Grand Rapids Griffins | 2019–2021 | 67 | 7 | — |