Phillip Danault Bio
Phillip Danault is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a forward for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on February 24, 1993, in Victoriaville, Quebec, Danault was selected 26th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Known throughout his career for his exceptional defensive skills and two-way play, he has established himself as one of the league’s most reliable defensive forwards, earning consistent recognition in Frank J. Selke Trophy voting. Danault has previously played for the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks, compiling over 400 career points while building a reputation as a premier shutdown center.
Early Life and Background
Phillip Danault was born on February 24, 1993, in Victoriaville, Quebec, to parents Alain and Michelle Danault. His father, Alain, previously served as the public address announcer for the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), while his mother Michelle worked as a nurse. Growing up in Victoriaville, Danault was immersed in hockey culture from an early age, playing minor hockey with Hockey Bois-Francs where he was named captain for his team across various age groups.
Danault joined the Trois-Rivières Estacades of the Ligue de hockey Midget AAA du Québec for the 2008-09 season, providing offensive prowess to help his team reach the final of that year’s Jimmy-Ferrari Cup. His strong performance caught the attention of QMJHL scouts, and he was selected ninth overall by his hometown Victoriaville Tigres in the annual Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft.
Path to Professional Hockey
During the 2010-11 QMJHL season, Danault established new career-highs for production and earned numerous league accolades. He was named Player of the Game during the 2010 Subway Super Series against the Russian juniors and was selected to represent Team Cherry at the 2011 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. In January 2011, Danault ranked 23rd amongst North American skaters for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft as determined by the league’s Central Scouting Bureau.
Following his predecessor Philip-Michael Devos, Danault was appointed captain of the Victoriaville Tigres. He captured the Guy Carbonneau Trophy as the QMJHL’s best defensive forward, recognizing his exceptional two-way play that would define his professional career. His defensive acumen and leadership qualities made him an attractive prospect for NHL teams heading into the 2011 draft.
Phillip Danault Career
Chicago Blackhawks (2013-2016)
After participating in the Blackhawks’ training camp in September 2011, Danault rejoined the QMJHL ranks for the 2011-12 season. Recording 18 points through his first 19 games, he was selected to represent Team QMJHL in the 2011 Subway Super Series. Danault finished the season setting new career-highs with 53 assists and 71 points through 62 contests. Upon elimination from the President’s Cup playoffs, Danault joined the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, in March 2012.
Following strong performances in training camps, Danault earned a spot in preseason action before rejoining Rockford to begin the 2014-15 season. Due to numerous injuries to the Chicago lineup, Danault was recalled by the team on November 21, 2014, and made his NHL debut the following night against the Edmonton Oilers. Despite playing most of that season with a torn labrum that required offseason surgery, Danault finished the regular season with 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points through 70 games. He scored his first career NHL goal on January 8, 2016, in a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
Montreal Canadiens (2016-2021)
Tallying five points through 30 games to begin the 2015-16 season with the Blackhawks, Danault was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, along with Chicago’s second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for forwards Dale Weise and Tomáš Fleischmann on February 26, 2016. He appeared in 21 games with the Canadiens that season, recording three goals and two assists.
On January 13, 2018, during a game against the Boston Bruins, Danault was hit in the head by a shot from defenseman Zdeno Chára and remained motionless on the ice for several minutes. Although stretchered off the ice and transported to hospital, Danault was kept overnight for observation before being released to rest at home. That offseason, he signed a three-year contract extension worth $3.08 million annually.
Concluding the 2018-19 season with a career-high 53 points, including his first career NHL hat-trick in a 4-3 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights on December 20, Danault placed seventh in votes for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the best defensive forward in the league. During the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 regular season, he posted five goals and 24 points across 53 games and finished top-10 in Selke Trophy voting for the second consecutive year. Danault distinguished himself during the Canadiens’ unexpected run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, their first championship series appearance since 1993, where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. He was credited with a strong defensive performance against opposing top forwards during the postseason.
Los Angeles Kings (2021-Present)
After becoming an unrestricted free agent, Danault signed a six-year, $33 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 28, 2021. He finished the 2021-22 season with a career-high 27 goals, helping the Kings clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2018. Facing the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Danault scored the tiebreaking goal late in the third period of the series opener to lead the Kings to a 4-3 win. Although subject to a head-butt by Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse in the penultimate matchup, Danault helped push the Oilers to a winner-take-all Game 7, finishing the opening series with three goals and two assists through seven games.
On March 9, 2023, Danault scored his 99th and 100th NHL goals in a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. At the conclusion of the regular season, he received the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his role in the Kings’ Learn-to-Play programming. On March 3, 2024, Danault recorded his second career hat-trick in a 5-1 win against the New Jersey Devils.
Driving Style and Strengths
Danault has built his professional reputation as one of the NHL’s premier defensive forwards and shutdown centers. His exceptional faceoff abilities, positional play, and ability to neutralize opposing top lines have made him a valuable asset for any team. His two-way game allows him to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility, earning him consistent recognition in Selke Trophy voting throughout his career. His left-handed shot and hockey intelligence make him particularly effective in transition game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Danault has achieved several significant milestones. His game-winning performance against the Edmonton Oilers in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs opener demonstrated his ability to deliver in crucial moments. The 2021 Stanley Cup Final appearance with Montreal represented the pinnacle of his playoff accomplishments. His two career hat-tricks against quality opponents and his 100th NHL goal milestone highlight his offensive capabilities that complement his defensive excellence.
Phillip Danault Career Wins
Danault’s career has been marked by consistent two-way excellence rather than statistical dominance. While he has not accumulated traditional win counts in the championship sense, his impact on team success has been significant. He was a key contributor to the Montreal Canadiens’ run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final and helped the Los Angeles Kings return to playoff contention. His career-high 53 points in 2018-19 with Montreal and 27 goals in 2021-22 with Los Angeles represent his most productive individual seasons.
Other Achievements
Internationally, Danault represented Canada at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where his team finished in sixth place. He subsequently won a gold medal at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup with Canada’s national under-18 team. In December 2011, Danault attended Canada’s national junior team selection camp but was among the final cuts. He ultimately made the team for the 2013 World Junior Championships.
Phillip Danault Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Danault was born to Alain and Michelle Danault in Victoriaville, Quebec. His father’s connection to hockey, serving as public address announcer for the Victoriaville Tigres, provided Phillip with early exposure to major junior hockey. This family connection to the sport shaped his development and career trajectory from a young age.
Personal Life
Danault married his longtime girlfriend, fellow Québécois Marie-Pierre Fortin, during the 2018 offseason. The couple has two children together: a son and a daughter. Danault has been recognized for his community involvement, receiving the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his contributions to the Los Angeles Kings’ Learn-to-Play programming, demonstrating his commitment to growing the sport at the grassroots level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025-26 NHL season presented significant challenges for Danault. He experienced an extended offensive slump, failing to score a goal in his first 30 games with the Los Angeles Kings while managing only five assists in that span. The struggles prompted discussions about his future with the organization. Reports circulated in early December 2025 that Danault had requested a trade, with speculation that a deal might occur prior to the league’s trade freeze over the Christmas holidays.
On December 19, 2025, the Kings traded Danault to the Canadiens in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick, bringing him back to the franchise where he had previously spent five seasons. Early into his second tenure with Montreal, Danault recorded a multi-assist effort in a victory over the Dallas Stars on January 4, marking the 400th point of his NHL career. He finally scored his first goal of the season on January 20, helping the Canadiens to their first win against the Minnesota Wild since 2019. Danault finished the regular season with six goals and six assists in 45 games with the Canadiens, serving primarily as a bottom-six defensive forward. He continued in this role as the Canadiens progressed in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring his first goal of the postseason on May 18 in a series-clinching 3-2 win in Game 7 of the second round against the Buffalo Sabres.