Declan Chisholm Bio
Declan Chisholm (born January 12, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2018 NHL entry draft. Chisholm has developed into a steady defensive presence during his NHL career, having appeared in over 100 career games across multiple organizations. He began his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL) before earning regular NHL duty with the Jets, Minnesota Wild, and now the Capitals.
Early Life and Background
Chisholm was born on January 12, 2000, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, to Paul Chisholm and Erin Fagan. As a young child, he battled a staphylococcal infection in his knee that required surgery. After spending time using a walker during his recovery, Chisholm joined a local youth ice hockey team, where coaches placed him on defence, beginning his journey as a blueliner.
Chisholm grew up in Ontario with strong family connections to athletic achievement. He is the grandson of Paddy Fagan, a lifelong hurling player in Ireland who immigrated to Canada. This sporting heritage provided Chisholm with early exposure to competitive athletics and helped shape his dedication to his craft.
Path to Professional Hockey
Chisholm developed his skills in Ontario minor hockey before being selected by the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the second round, 24th overall, of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. The opportunity to play for a traditional OHL power provided him with a platform to showcase his abilities against top junior-level competition.
During his four seasons with the Peterborough Petes, Chisholm established himself as a reliable two-way defenceman. His final junior season proved to be his most productive, as he set career highs with 13 goals, 56 assists, and 69 points, leading all Peterborough defencemen in scoring. These performances attracted attention from NHL scouts and demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively from the back end.
Declan Chisholm Career
Winnipeg Jets (2021–2024)
The Winnipeg Jets selected Chisholm in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2018 NHL entry draft, identifying him as a project defenceman with upside. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Jets on June 1, 2020, officially launching his professional hockey career.
Chisholm made his professional hockey debut on February 22, 2021, playing for the Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate. He spent significant time developing in the minors, refining his defensive game and adjusting to the speed of professional competition. With the Jets’ roster depleted by COVID-19 issues throughout the organization, Chisholm received his first NHL call-up.
He made his NHL debut on January 13, 2022, the day after his 22nd birthday, partnering with Nate Schmidt in a 3–0 shutout victory over the Detroit Red Wings. At the time of his call-up, Chisholm had recorded six goals and 14 points with Manitoba, demonstrating the offensive ability that translated to his NHL opportunity.
Minnesota Wild (2024)
During the 2023–24 season, after appearing in just two games with the Jets where he served primarily as a healthy scratch, Chisholm was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Wild on January 29, 2024. The waiver claim provided him with a fresh opportunity to establish himself at the NHL level with a new organization.
Chisholm sought to carve out a regular role with the Wild blue line, bringing his combination of size, skating ability, and puck-moving skills to the Minnesota defensive corps.
Washington Capitals (2025–Present)
On June 28, 2025, at the 2025 NHL entry draft, Chisholm was acquired by the Washington Capitals in a trade with the Wild. The Capitals sent Chase Priskie and a fourth-round draft pick to Minnesota in exchange for Chisholm and a sixth-round pick. He was promptly signed to a two-year, $3.2 million contract extension with the Capitals on July 1, 2025.
Chisholm made his debut with the Capitals on October 12, 2025, marking his 100th career NHL appearance. Unable to cement himself as a regular in the Capitals’ top six on defence, he served in a depth role throughout the 2025–26 season, posting one goal and seven points in 26 games. The Capitals valued his veteran experience and positional flexibility as they navigated their defensive rotation.
Playing Style and Strengths
Chisholm stands at 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 185 pounds, giving him the size needed to compete against larger NHL forwards. He skates well for his height and has demonstrated the ability to contribute offensively from the back end, particularly evident in his productive junior career with Peterborough. His left-handed shot and two-way game provide the Capitals with a versatile option on the blueline who can log minutes in various situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Chisholm’s career highlights are his NHL debut with Winnipeg on his 22nd birthday in January 2022 and reaching the 100-game milestone with the Capitals in October 2025. The journey from fifth-round draft pick to regular NHL player represents his most significant achievement, having overcome early development challenges to establish himself in professional hockey.
Declan Chisholm Career Statistics
Chisholm has appeared in over 100 career NHL games across four organizations, accumulating modest but steady offensive totals. His professional career began in the AHL with Manitoba, where he demonstrated the scoring ability that helped earn his initial NHL opportunity. The following table summarizes his verified career totals at the NHL level.
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Winnipeg Jets | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | Winnipeg Jets | 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023–24 | Winnipeg Jets / Minnesota Wild | 25 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2025–26 | Washington Capitals | 26 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
Declan Chisholm Family
Family Background
Chisholm comes from a family with diverse sporting roots. His grandfather, Paddy Fagan, was a lifelong hurling player in Ireland before immigrating to Canada. This connection to traditional Irish sports demonstrates the international athletic heritage present in Chisholm’s family background.
His parents, Paul Chisholm and Erin Fagan, supported his early hockey pursuits through the challenges of his childhood staphylococcal infection and recovery. Their encouragement enabled young Declan to overcome adversity and eventually pursue a career in professional hockey.
Personal Life
Chisholm maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. As a Canadian-born player now competing in the NHL, he represents a pathway that many young Canadian defencemen follow from minor hockey through junior and professional careers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Chisholm as he joined the Washington Capitals organization following the trade from Minnesota. After signing his two-year extension on July 1, 2025, he reported to training camp competing for a regular spot on the Capitals’ blueline.
Making his Capitals debut on October 12, 2025, in his 100th career NHL game, Chisholm faced the challenge of earning consistent ice time on a veteran team with established defencemen ahead of him in the rotation. Serving primarily in a depth role, he appeared in 26 games during the 2025–26 season, contributing one goal and seven points.
Looking ahead, Chisholm brings experience from four NHL organizations and the security of a two-year contract with Washington. His ability to provide value as a versatile, inexpensive depth option could prove valuable to the Capitals as they continue their pursuit of playoff success. The opportunity to learn from experienced players in Washington while maintaining a regular presence in the lineup represents his focus heading into future seasons.