Colton Sissons Bio
Colton Sissons is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays as a centre for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on November 5, 1993, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Sissons was selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round, 50th overall, during the 2012 NHL entry draft. After spending eleven seasons developing within the Predators organization, he joined the Golden Knights following a trade during the 2024-25 season. Sissons has established himself as a reliable two-way centre known for his defensive acumen, faceoff proficiency, and ability to elevate his play during high-pressure playoff situations.
Early Life and Background
Colton Sissons was born on November 5, 1993, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, to parents Doug and Debbie. Growing up in the North Vancouver area, he developed his passion for hockey at a young age, playing minor ice hockey with the North Vancouver and North Shore Winter Club organizations. As a youth player, Sissons participated in the prestigious 2006 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with his North Vancouver team, gaining valuable experience against top-tier competition from across North America.
During his formative years, Sissons demonstrated exceptional hockey sense and skill, which set him apart from his peers. While playing midget hockey in Vancouver, he had the opportunity to share the ice with future NHL players, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers. This early exposure to high-level competition helped shape his development as a player and prepared him for the challenges ahead in his hockey career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Sissons began his major junior career with the Vancouver NW Giants of the BC Hockey Major Midget League during the 2008-09 season. Despite being the youngest forward on the roster, he finished fifth overall in league scoring with 54 points and led the Giants to the BC Major Midget League Championships. His impressive performance caught the attention of Western Hockey League (WHL) scouts, and at age 15, he was drafted by the Saskatoon Blades. However, Sissons chose to delay his WHL commitment to explore his options regarding NCAA eligibility.
After considering his options, Sissons eventually joined the British Columbia Hockey League’s Westside Warriors, where he recorded six goals and 22 points through 58 games during the 2009-10 season. In 2010, his playing rights were traded to the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for Curt Gogol, a move that would prove pivotal in his development. Sissons joined the Rockets for the 2010-11 season and made an immediate impact, earning the team’s Rookie of the Year Award and Plus/Minus Award while recording a hat-trick in February to help the team capture first place in the WHL BC Division.
During his draft-eligible season in 2011-12, Sissons served as captain of Team Orr for the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game after tallying 25 goals and 36 points through 48 games. He was ranked 14th amongst all North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau leading into the 2012 NHL entry draft, where the Nashville Predators selected him 50th overall in the second round. Sissons signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Predators and returned to the Rockets for one more season, where he scored 28 goals and 39 assists through 61 games, earning team MVP honors and the top defensive forward award for the second consecutive year.
Colton Sissons Career
Milwaukee Admirals Development (2013-2015)
Following his selection by the Nashville Predators, Sissons began his professional career with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, during the 2013-14 season. He made his professional debut centring the Admirals’ first line and recorded his first professional point, an assist, in his debut game. Prior to turning 20 years old, Sissons had already recorded four goals and two assists in his first eight games, ranking tied for second in team scoring. His maturity and professionalism drew praise from Admirals coach Dean Evason, who noted that Sissons conducted himself like a veteran player despite his youth.
By January 2014, Sissons was tied for second amongst AHL rookies with 13 goals, earning him a selection to the 2014 AHL All-Star Game. His strong play also earned him his first NHL recall on January 27, 2014. Sissons made his NHL debut the following evening, registering an assist to help the Predators defeat the Winnipeg Jets 4-3. He played 10 minutes and 49 seconds of ice time with a plus-one rating, becoming the first Predators rookie to record an assist in his NHL debut since Nick Spaling in 2009. In his 14th NHL game, Sissons scored his first career NHL goal during a 6-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, giving the Predators a 1-0 lead in the first period.
Nashville Predators Breakthrough (2015-2024)
Prior to the 2015-16 season, Sissons achieved a significant milestone when he was named captain of the Milwaukee Admirals, becoming the youngest captain in franchise history and the first forward since Tony Hrkac to receive the honor. His leadership qualities and on-ice performance caught the attention of the Predators coaching staff, leading to his recall from the AHL in November 2015. He scored the Predators’ opening goal in his first game back at the NHL level during a 7-5 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
In February 2016, Sissons demonstrated exceptional faceoff ability, ranking first among all NHL players with at least 100 draws, winning 59 percent of his draws. This performance earned him a three-year, $1.875 million contract extension. He also changed his jersey number from 84 to 10, explaining that the higher number felt like too skilled a number for his style of play. On March 8, 2016, Sissons recorded his first career NHL multi-point game with a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
The 2016-17 season marked a breakthrough year for Sissons at the NHL level. He began the season on the Predators’ fourth line before earning a promotion to the shutdown line alongside captain Mike Fisher and Austin Watson. In January 2017, Sissons scored his first career NHL hat-trick during a 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. He continued to develop as a two-way player and reached the 100 career games milestone in March 2017, scoring a goal in his 100th game during a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames.
The 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs became the defining moment of Sissons’ career up to that point. As the Predators faced the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, Sissons scored his first career playoff goal in Game 2, helping the Predators achieve a 5-0 victory and take a 2-0 series lead. He continued to produce throughout the playoffs, recording multiple points against the St. Louis Blues in the second round. Due to injuries to top-line forwards Ryan Johansen and Mike Fisher in the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks, Sissons was elevated to the first-line centre role. In Game 6, he delivered a legendary performance, scoring a hat-trick including the game-winning goal as the Predators defeated the Ducks 6-3 to win the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. Sissons became the first player since Patrick Kane in 2013 to score a hat-trick in a series-clinching conference final victory.
Vegas Golden Knights Transition (2025-Present)
Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Sissons’ 12-year tenure with the Nashville Predators organization came to an end when he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights alongside Jeremy Lauzon. The Predators received Nicolas Hague and a conditional third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft in return. This trade marked a new chapter in Sissons’ career as he joined a Golden Knights team with established championship credentials.
Sissons quickly made his presence felt with his new team. He recorded his first point with Vegas on October 16, 2025, during a 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins, providing a first-period assist on Cole Reinhardt’s goal. Less than two months later, on November 29, 2025, Sissons scored his first goal with the Golden Knights in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. These early contributions demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly to new teammates and systems while maintaining his reputation as a reliable two-way forward.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sissons has built his NHL career on being a dependable two-way centre known for his exceptional defensive play and faceoff proficiency. Throughout his career, he has consistently ranked among the league leaders in faceoff winning percentage, including a stretch where he won 59 percent of his draws to lead all NHL players with at least 100 draws. His ability to win crucial defensive zone draws has made him a valuable asset for any team he plays for, while his hockey intelligence allows him to contribute offensively without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. Sissons excels at reading plays and anticipating opponent movements, which enables him to excel in shutdown situations against opposing top lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Sissons has accumulated several memorable achievements that highlight his impact on the ice. His hat-trick performance in Game 6 of the 2017 Western Conference Final stands as the pinnacle of his career, as he helped guide the Nashville Predators to their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance. That performance drew comparisons to some of the greatest playoff performances in NHL history and established Sissons as a player who elevates his game when the stakes are highest. He has scored multiple career hat-tricks in the regular season and has been recognized for his defensive play at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Colton Sissons Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning from 2013 to present, Colton Sissons has accumulated wins and achievements across multiple levels of professional hockey. His career includes championship-level playoff performances, regular season contributions, and recognition as one of the top faceoff men in the NHL.
NHL Highlights
At the NHL level, Sissons’ most significant accomplishment remains his role in helping the Nashville Predators reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. During that playoff run, he scored five goals and added four assists through 18 games, including his memorable hat-trick against the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Final. In the regular season, Sissons has appeared in over 400 NHL games, scoring his first career goal against the Buffalo Sabres in January 2014 and his first hat-trick against the Tampa Bay Lightning in January 2017. His most recent milestone with the Vegas Golden Knights includes scoring his first goal with the team against the San Jose Sharks in November 2025.
Minor Pro and Junior Highlights
Before reaching the NHL, Sissons established himself as a dominant player at the junior and AHL levels. While playing for the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, he was named team MVP and top defensive forward for two consecutive seasons. In his final junior season (2012-13), he recorded 67 points through 61 games. At the AHL level with the Milwaukee Admirals, Sissons became the first player in franchise history to record back-to-back 25-goal seasons to start a professional career. He earned AHL All-Star recognition in 2014 and served as team captain during the 2015-16 season, becoming the youngest captain in Admirals history.
Colton Sissons Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While specific information about racing lineage is not available, Colton Sissons comes from a supportive family background in North Vancouver, British Columbia. His parents, Doug and Debbie Sissons, provided guidance and support throughout his development as a hockey player from his earliest days playing minor hockey in the North Vancouver and North Shore Winter Club organizations through his rise to professional hockey.
Personal Life
Sissons maintains strong ties to his British Columbia roots despite his professional hockey career taking him across North America. His journey from minor hockey in North Vancouver to becoming a professional NHL player has been marked by consistent development and steady improvement at each level. Sissons has been recognized throughout his career for his maturity, work ethic, and professionalism, qualities that were evident from his early days with the Milwaukee Admirals when coaches noted his veteran-like approach to the game at a young age.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant transition year for Colton Sissons as he begins a new chapter with the Vegas Golden Knights following his mid-career trade from the Nashville Predators. After spending 12 seasons developing within the Predators organization, Sissons faced the challenge of adapting to a new team, new systems, and new teammates while maintaining the consistency that has defined his career.
Despite the inherent challenges of transitioning to a new team mid-season, Sissons demonstrated his versatility and hockey intelligence by making immediate contributions. His first point with the Golden Knights came via an assist in a high-scoring 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins in October, showing his ability to contribute offensively despite unfamiliarity with his new teammates. Less than two months later, he scored his first goal with the team during a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks, indicating his growing comfort within the Golden Knights’ offensive structure.
The outlook for Sissons and the Golden Knights remains positive as they work to integrate him into their lineup. His experience from the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals run with Nashville provides valuable championship pedigree that could benefit a Vegas team with its own championship aspirations. His two-way play, faceoff expertise, and ability to play in various situations make him a valuable depth player for a team with championship ambitions. The remaining portion of the 2025 season will likely see Sissons continue to build chemistry with his new teammates while providing the reliable defensive play and professional approach that has characterized his career.