Cale Douglas Makar Bio
Cale Douglas Makar, born on October 30, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted fourth overall by the Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Makar has quickly established himself as one of the premier defencemen in the league. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in 2020 and the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best defenceman in 2022 and 2025. Makar played a pivotal role in leading the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup championship in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Cale Makar grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where he first played hockey with the Crowchild Blackhawks minor hockey program before moving to the Northwest Calgary Athletic Association Bruins at the Bantam level. He also played bantam hockey with the Calgary Flames and minor midget hockey with the NWCAA Stampeders. Makar was drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League in 2013 but chose to maintain his NCAA eligibility.
During the 2014–15 season, Makar led the Calgary Flames minor midget team in scoring and earned team MVP honors. He then joined the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) as an affiliate player, helping them reach the finals. His outstanding play earned him multiple awards including AJHL All-League and Rookie of the Year honors, as well as national recognition as the RBC National Junior A Player of the Year.
Path to Hockey
Makar committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, joining the UMass Minutemen in the Hockey East NCAA conference. As a freshman in 2017–18, he quickly earned a top-pairing role and was named co-Rookie of the Year by the New England Hockey Writers Association. He continued to develop in his sophomore season, becoming the first Minutemen player to be named Hockey East Player of the Year and winning the prestigious Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player.
His rapid rise made him a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, where the Colorado Avalanche selected him fourth overall. Makar was the highest-drafted player to come directly from the AJHL and was recognized for his dynamic skating and offensive creativity from the blue line.
Cale Makar Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Makar signed his entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche in April 2019 and made his NHL debut during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. He scored his first NHL goal with his first shot in his debut playoff game, becoming the first defenceman to score a playoff goal in his NHL debut. Makar made the Avalanche opening lineup for the 2019–20 season and quickly established himself as a top rookie, setting franchise records for rookie defencemen in goals and points.
Despite an upper-body injury during the season, Makar finished as the leading rookie scorer and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. His strong performance marked him as one of the league’s most promising young defencemen.
Colorado Avalanche Breakthrough (2020–Present)
In the 2020–21 season, Makar was a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s best defenceman, finishing second in the voting. He signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension with the Avalanche in July 2021. During the 2021–22 season, Makar broke the Avalanche’s single-season goals record for a defenceman and finished with 28 goals and 58 assists, earning his first Norris Trophy.
Makar was instrumental in the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory, leading all players in playoff points with 29 and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the postseason. He became only the third defenceman in NHL history to win both the Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies in the same season.
Continuing his elite play, Makar recorded his first NHL hat trick in March 2024 and was named a Norris Trophy finalist for the fourth consecutive season. In the 2024–25 season, he reached 30 goals, becoming only the ninth defenceman in NHL history to do so, and won his second Norris Trophy. He was also a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL’s most outstanding player.
Driving Style and Strengths
Makar is known for his dynamic skating ability, offensive creativity, and strong defensive play. His ability to generate scoring chances from the blue line and his strategic understanding of the game make him a key contributor on both ends of the ice. His partnership with the Avalanche coaching staff has helped him refine his game and maintain elite performance levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Makar’s NHL debut goal in the playoffs and his record-setting rookie season stand out as career milestones. His 2022 Stanley Cup win and Conn Smythe Trophy highlight his impact at the highest level. His multiple Norris Trophy wins and rapid scoring milestones underscore his status as one of the NHL’s best defencemen.
Cale Makar Career Wins
Makar’s career is marked by numerous individual awards and team successes. He has won the Calder Memorial Trophy, two James Norris Memorial Trophies, and the Stanley Cup. His playoff performances have been particularly notable, including setting records for points by a defenceman in the postseason.
NHL Highlights
Makar has accumulated multiple NHL records and accolades, including the fastest defenceman to reach 100 points for the Avalanche and franchise records for goals by a defenceman in a season. His playoff scoring ranks among the highest for defencemen in NHL history, and he has been a consistent Norris Trophy finalist since his rookie season.
Other Wins & Performances
Before turning professional, Makar earned several junior and collegiate awards, including the AJHL MVP and RBC National Junior A Player of the Year. He also won gold with Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championships and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Cale Makar Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Cale Makar is the son of Gary Makar and Laura MacGregor. He was named after former NHL player Cale Hulse. His younger brother, Taylor Makar, is also a hockey prospect within the Avalanche organization. Makar’s family has a hockey lineage that includes his cousin Mark Logan and a relation to former NHL player Tom Lysiak. He is of Ukrainian descent on his father’s side.
Personal Life
Makar married his longtime girlfriend, Tracy Evans, in August 2024. He grew up as a fan of the Calgary Flames and continues to reside in North America while pursuing his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 season, Makar continued to demonstrate elite performance, reaching new offensive milestones including scoring 30 goals, a rare feat for a defenceman. He was a finalist for both the Norris Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award, reflecting his status as one of the NHL’s top players. His leadership as alternate captain and his contract extension through 2027 position him as a cornerstone of the Colorado Avalanche’s future success.
Makar’s combination of skill, speed, and hockey IQ has made him a central figure in the Avalanche’s pursuit of further championships. His sportsmanship and professionalism have also earned respect across the league, contributing to his role as a team leader and fan favorite.