Zachary Martin Hyman Bio
Zachary Martin Hyman is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who has established himself as one of the most consistent and versatile left wingers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 9, 1992, in Toronto, Ontario, Hyman has built a remarkable career spanning multiple leagues and achieving numerous individual accolades. He currently serves as a key contributor for the Edmonton Oilers, where he has become renowned for his tenacious forechecking, goal-scoring ability, and leadership qualities. Before joining the Oilers in 2021, Hyman spent six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, developing into a reliable two-way player. Beyond his on-ice accomplishments, Hyman has distinguished himself as an award-winning children’s book author and successful entrepreneur.
Early Life and Background
Hyman was born into an Ashkenazi Jewish family in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in the Forest Hill neighbourhood with his parents Stuart and Vicky Hyman, and four brothers: Spencer, Oliver, Cooper, and Shane. His father Stuart Hyman has held significant positions in hockey administration, serving as Chairman and Governor of the Markham Royals and Chairman of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). This family involvement in hockey created an environment where Zach developed his passion for the sport from an early age.
Hyman attended United Synagogue Day School and later graduated with honours from the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto, a Jewish high school. His academic achievements were complemented by his athletic pursuits, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in both areas from his youth. Throughout his career, Hyman has maintained strong ties to charitable causes, serving as an athlete ambassador for Right To Play and First Book Canada, and hosting an annual celebrity charity golf tournament benefiting hospitals in Toronto and Edmonton.
Path to Professional Hockey
Hyman began his junior hockey career with the Hamilton Red Wings from 2008 to 2011, a team his father Stuart owned and governed. During his rookie season, he recorded 13 goals and 24 assists in 49 regular season games, earning the Red Wings’ Rookie of the Year award. He was voted team captain during his sophomore season and continued to elevate his production, recording 35 goals and 40 assists in 49 games the following year.
In his final junior season, Hyman emerged as one of the top players in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), leading the Red Wings with 42 goals and 60 assists in 43 games. His 102 points in 43 games ranked him second in CJHL scoring and led all players with 2.37 points per game. These exceptional performances earned him the OJHL North-West Conference First All-Star Team selection and the CJHL Player of the Year Award, making him only the second player from the OJHL to win the award. His jersey was subsequently displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fame following the 2010-11 season.
Following his junior career, Hyman originally committed to Princeton University but decommitted after the head coach left for Penn State. He accepted an athletic scholarship to play for the University of Michigan beginning in the 2011-12 season. At Michigan, Hyman balanced athletic excellence with academic achievement, eventually graduating with a history major while becoming a three-time Big Ten All-Academic selection and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipient.
Zachary Martin Hyman Career
College Career (2011–2015)
Hyman arrived at the University of Michigan as a skilled forward and steadily improved over four seasons. His freshman year saw him record 2 goals and 7 assists in 41 games, with his first career goal coming against Northern Michigan University on October 21, 2011. His sophomore season yielded 4 goals and 5 assists in 38 games, and his junior campaign produced 7 goals and 10 assists in 35 games.
His senior season in 2014-15 marked a breakthrough, as Hyman was named alternate captain and became Michigan’s leading scorer. He captured the Big Ten Scoring Championship with a record 54 points, scoring 22 goals and 32 assists in only 37 games. This performance made him the first Michigan player to record 20 goals in a season since Louie Caporusso and the first to record 50 or more points since Carl Hagelin in 2009-10. He was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and AHCA First Team All-American, while finishing as a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He also won the Bates/Deskins Award as Michigan’s Top Junior Student Athlete and was honoured as the 2014-15 Michigan Athlete of the Year.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2015–2021)
Hyman was drafted 123rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL entry draft but did not sign with the team after his college career ended. On June 19, 2015, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired his playing rights, and he signed a two-year entry-level contract four days later. He made his professional debut with the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, recording his first professional point on October 9, 2015, and his first professional goal on November 7 against the Binghamton Senators.
Hyman earned his first NHL recall on February 29, 2016, making his NHL debut that night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He scored his first career NHL goal one week later on March 7 against Chad Johnson of the Buffalo Sabres. During the 2016-17 season, Hyman solidified his place in the NHL, setting a new Maple Leafs record for most short-handed goals by a rookie with four and tying the team record for most consecutive games with an assist by a rookie at six. He signed a four-year, $9 million contract extension on July 5, 2017.
Throughout his Maple Leafs tenure, Hyman developed into a reliable two-way forward, often playing on the top line with stars like Auston Matthews and William Nylander. He was named an Alternate Captain for the 2020-21 season, demonstrating the respect he had earned within the organization. After the Maple Leafs could not accommodate his salary requirements due to cap constraints, Hyman pursued opportunities elsewhere.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2021–Present)
On July 28, 2021, Hyman signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers, citing the opportunity to play alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as a major factor in his decision. He made his Oilers debut in the season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, scoring a power play goal. His first season with the Oilers showed promise despite challenges, as he recorded 27 goals and 27 assists for a career-best regular season.
After the Oilers struggled early in the 2021-22 season, general manager Ken Holland fired head coach Dave Tippett and replaced him with Jay Woodcroft. Under the new coaching staff, Hyman’s role expanded, and he began seeing more time on the top lines with McDavid and Draisaitl. The Oilers responded dramatically, posting a 26-9-3 record to finish second in the Pacific Division. Hyman contributed 6 goals and 8 points in the first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, helping the Oilers advance to the second round for the first time in his career.
The 2022-23 season saw Hyman achieve 83 points, building on his reputation as a consistent producer. The 2023-24 campaign proved to be his most remarkable yet, as he scored a career-high 54 goals, becoming only the 100th player in NHL history to surpass the 50-goal mark in a regular season. His stellar play continued into the playoffs, where he scored 16 goals in the postseason, setting an NHL record for the most goals by an active player in a single postseason. The Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, with Hyman leading the league in postseason goal-scoring.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hyman has established himself as a complete two-way forward known for his relentless work ethic, strong board work, and ability to create scoring chances in tight spaces. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 206 pounds, he possesses the size to compete physically while maintaining the skill to finish plays. His forechecking pressure and ability to win battles along the boards have made him valuable on both special teams units and five-on-five play. Hyman’s consistency and durability have been hallmarks of his game, allowing him to maintain high production levels season after season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Hyman has accumulated several notable achievements and milestones. He was selected as an NHL All-Star in 2023, recognizing his elite performance. His nickname “Shaq Hyman” has become widely recognized among fans and media, reflecting his punishing style of play in the crease. On December 11, 2025, Hyman scored his sixth career hat-trick against the Detroit Red Wings, moving past Oilers legends Ryan Smyth and Esa Tikkanen to rank seventh all-time in franchise history. He has also been recognized for his community involvement and charitable work, hosting annual golf tournaments benefiting children’s hospitals in both Edmonton and Toronto.
Zachary Martin Hyman Career Wins
Across his junior, college, and professional career, Hyman has accumulated an impressive collection of team and individual accomplishments. His collegiate career produced numerous conference and national honors, while his professional journey has included multiple playoff appearances and individual recognition.
Edmonton Oilers Highlights
While with the Oilers, Hyman has become one of the most productive goal-scorers in franchise history. He reached the 50-goal milestone during the 2023-24 season, joining the exclusive group of 100 players in NHL history to achieve this feat. His 16 playoff goals during the 2024 postseason set a record for active players in a single postseason. The Oilers’ run to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final represented the deepest playoff push of Hyman’s career, with his performance earning recognition as one of the league’s top goal-scoring threats.
College and Junior Highlights
At the University of Michigan, Hyman won the Big Ten Scoring Championship and was named Michigan Athlete of the Year in 2015. He was a two-time Big Ten All-Academic selection and earned the Bates/Deskins Award as the university’s top junior student athlete. During his junior career with Hamilton, he won the CJHL Player of the Year Award and represented Canada at the 2013 Maccabiah Games, winning a gold medal.
Zachary Martin Hyman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hyman comes from a family deeply connected to hockey administration and ownership. His father Stuart Hyman has served as Chairman and Governor of the Markham Royals and Chairman of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The family also owns the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League. Zach’s brother Spencer serves as COO and General Manager of the Brantford Bulldogs and President of Hockey Operations for the Markham Royals, while brother Oliver played for the Hamilton Red Wings from 2011 to 2013.
Personal Life
Hyman married Alannah Mozes, a lawyer, and together they have three sons. Beyond his hockey career, Hyman has distinguished himself as an author, having published several award-winning children’s books through Penguin Random House. His book “The Bambino and Me” earned a starred Kirkus Review, while “Hockey Hero” and “The Magician’s Secret” have also received recognition. He is also a co-founder and co-owner of Eleven Holdings Corp., a Toronto-based gaming and media holding company.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented significant challenges for Hyman and the Edmonton Oilers. During the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Hyman suffered a dislocated wrist in Game 4 of the third round against the Dallas Stars, forcing him to miss the remainder of the playoffs. Despite missing the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, Hyman still led the league in postseason hits with 111 in 15 games. The Oilers ultimately lost the Final in six games.
Due to his injury, Hyman missed the beginning of the 2025-26 season. He made his season debut on November 15, 2025, recording one assist and 11 hits in his first game back. Remarkably, his 11 hits ranked fourth-most in a single game in Oilers history. He continued his productive pace throughout the season, scoring his sixth career hat-trick on December 11, 2025, against the Detroit Red Wings, and becoming instrumental in helping teammate Leon Draisaitl reach his 1000th career point on December 16, 2025. Despite the injury setback and the Oilers’ inconsistent start to the season, Hyman’s resilience and determination to return to form demonstrated his commitment to the team’s success.