Cale Fleury Bio
Cale Fleury is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a defenceman for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on November 19, 1998, in Carlyle, Saskatchewan, Fleury developed his hockey skills in minor leagues before advancing to major junior hockey with the Kootenay Ice in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Montreal Canadiens selected him 87th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, launching a professional career that has spanned over six seasons. Fleury made his NHL debut in 2019 and became a member of the Seattle Kraken following the 2021 NHL expansion draft, where he continues to contribute on the blue line.
Early Life and Background
Cale Fleury was born in Carlyle, Saskatchewan, to parents John and Sandra Fleury. Hockey runs deep in the Fleury family, as both John and Sandra’s father and uncles played hockey in Carlyle as part of the Big Six Hockey League. This family legacy provided Cale with early exposure and passion for the sport. He grew up playing minor hockey in Carlyle alongside his brother Haydn Fleury, who would also go on to become a professional NHL player.
In 2002, the Fleury family relocated from Carlyle to Calgary, Alberta, where Cale continued developing his game. The move to a larger city provided him with better access to competitive hockey programs and development opportunities. Throughout his youth, Fleury demonstrated the defensive instincts and physical style that would characterize his later career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Fleury’s journey to professional hockey began with his selection in the WHL Bantam Draft. The Kootenay Ice chose him in the fourth round, 78th overall, during the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. He made his major junior debut during the 2014-15 season, appearing in 70 games and recording one goal and 13 points. His steady development caught the attention of team management, and on January 12, 2016, Fleury was named alternate captain of the Ice.
His leadership role continued to grow, and on January 17, 2017, Fleury was named captain of the Kootenay Ice, a responsibility that came after the team traded away alternate captains Zak Zborosky and Matt Alfaro the previous week. During the 2016-17 season, he recorded eight goals and 17 assists in 61 games, establishing himself as one of the top defencemen in the league. His performance earned him a selection to Team Cherry for the 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where he recorded three shots in a 7-5 victory over Team Orr. He finished that season with 11 goals and 27 assists through 70 games.
Fleury’s stock continued to rise, and he was ranked 62nd overall among North American skaters in the final NHL Bureau of Central Scouting ranking. His strong play culminated in being selected 87th overall by the Montreal Canadiens during the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on July 24, 2017. Prior to turning professional, he was traded to the Regina Pats on November 11, 2017, in exchange for defenceman Jonathan Smart, forward Cole Muir, and WHL bantam draft picks. With the Pats, he recorded six goals and 35 assists through 51 games and helped the team reach the 2018 Memorial Cup, where he recorded one assist in the tournament.
Cale Fleury Career
Early Professional Career (2018-2019)
After being drafted by the Canadiens, Fleury participated in the team’s 2018 training camp before signing his first professional contract. On October 4, 2018, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Montreal. He joined the Canadiens’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket, and made the team’s opening night roster for the 2018-19 season. Fleury played 60 games with the Rocket during his rookie professional season, recording nine goals and 14 assists while adapting to the faster, more physical professional game.
Montreal Canadiens (2019-2021)
Fleury earned a spot on the Canadiens’ opening night roster for the 2019-20 season. He made his NHL debut on October 3, 2019, against the Carolina Hurricanes, a notable moment as his brother Haydn played for Carolina at the time. On November 16, 2019, Fleury scored his first NHL goal during a 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils, a significant milestone in his professional career.
The 2019-20 season saw Fleury split time between the Canadiens and the Rocket. He collected one goal through 41 games with Montreal before being assigned to Laval on January 21, 2020. With the Rocket, he recorded two goals and three assists through 14 games. The following season, Fleury began on the Canadiens’ taxi squad, a safety measure implemented by the NHL during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he spent much of that season with Laval, recording six assists in 22 games.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021-Present)
The 2021 NHL Expansion Draft marked a turning point in Fleury’s career. When the protected player lists were released on July 18, 2021, Fleury was not included, making him available for selection. On July 21, 2021, the Seattle Kraken selected him from the Canadiens, reuniting him with his brother Haydn, who was also chosen in the same draft. This marked the first time brothers had been selected by the same team in the same expansion draft.
Fleury signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Kraken on August 13, 2021, and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He was named an assistant captain with Charlotte and played 36 games with the team before being recalled to the Kraken’s taxi squad on January 24, 2022. He made his Kraken debut on February 1 against the Boston Bruins, playing on the same defensive pairing as his brother Haydn. Fleury was returned to the Checkers on February 3 after appearing in two games with Seattle.
He was recalled again on April 5, 2022, after recording seven goals and 26 assists in 58 games with Charlotte. During the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs with the Checkers, Fleury contributed three assists. The 2022-23 season saw him play 12 games with the Kraken, registering one assist.
On July 9, 2023, Fleury signed a two-year contract worth $1,600,000 with the Kraken. For the 2023-24 season, he was assigned to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Seattle’s new AHL affiliate. Through 65 games with the Firebirds, he recorded seven goals and 29 assists. He appeared in one game with the Kraken that season on April 5, 2024, playing 13 minutes and 30 seconds of ice time. During the Firebirds’ run to the 2024 Calder Cup Final, Fleury recorded five goals and nine assists in 18 playoff games.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fleury is known as a right-shooting defenceman who brings physicality and defensive responsibility to his game. His strengths include strong positioning in his own zone, effective gap control, and the ability to move the puck efficiently. His experience playing for multiple organizations and in various leagues has helped him develop versatility and adaptability. His family hockey background and years of development through major junior hockey provided him with a solid foundation for professional play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments stand out in Fleury’s career trajectory. His NHL debut against his brother’s team in 2019 created a unique family moment. Being selected alongside Haydn by the Kraken in 2021 marked a historic first in NHL expansion draft history. On October 18, 2024, Fleury recorded his first professional hat-trick during a 6-5 victory over the San Diego Gulls, showcasing his offensive capabilities. On January 8, 2025, he was named to participate in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic before being called up by the Kraken on January 30, which prevented him from participating in the event.
Cale Fleury Career Statistics
Fleury has accumulated professional experience across multiple leagues throughout his career. His NHL career includes seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle Kraken, while his AHL experience encompasses the Laval Rocket, Charlotte Checkers, and Coachella Valley Firebirds. He has demonstrated consistent offensive production at the AHL level while contributing as a reliable defender.
NHL Highlights
At the NHL level, Fleury has appeared in games with both the Canadiens and Kraken organizations. His first NHL goal came against the New Jersey Devils on November 16, 2019. He has played in multiple regular-season games across his NHL career and has continued to develop his two-way game at the highest professional level.
AHL Achievements
The AHL has served as Fleury’s primary development and consistent playing venue throughout his professional career. He has been a reliable performer at the minor-league level, recording solid point totals while serving in leadership roles including assistant captain with Charlotte. His 2024-25 season saw him earn recognition as an All-Star selection before his call-up, and his playoff performances with the Firebirds demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively in high-pressure situations.
Cale Fleury Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Cale Fleury comes from a family with deep hockey roots. His father John and mother Sandra both come from families with extensive hockey experience, as their fathers and uncles played in the Big Six Hockey League in Carlyle, Saskatchewan. This multigenerational connection to the sport provided Cale and his brother Haydn with natural exposure to hockey from an early age. The Fleury family’s commitment to hockey shaped both brothers’ career paths.
Personal Life
Cale Fleury shares a special hockey connection with his brother Haydn Fleury. Both brothers have reached the NHL, with Haydn being drafted seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Their selection by the Seattle Kraken together in 2021 created NHL history as the first brothers to be selected by the same team in the same expansion draft. The brothers have played together on the same defensive pairing during Haydn’s time with the Kraken. The Fleury family moved from Carlyle to Calgary in 2002 to pursue better hockey opportunities for the boys.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season represented another year of progression for Fleury in the Kraken organization. He split the season between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Seattle Kraken, demonstrating his ability to move between the AHL and NHL levels. During his time with the Firebirds, he recorded seven goals and 19 assists through 39 games before his January call-up. With the Kraken, he appeared in 14 games and recorded one assist.
His strong AHL performance earned him recognition with a selection to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic in January, though his subsequent call-up by the Kraken prevented him from participating in the event. This call-up demonstrated the Kraken’s confidence in his abilities and his readiness to contribute at the NHL level when needed.
Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Fleury signed a two-year contract extension with the Seattle Kraken on June 20, 2025, worth $890,000 per year. This extension secures his place with the organization for the foreseeable future and reflects the team’s commitment to his continued development and contributions to the franchise.