Calvin de Haan

Calvin de Haan Bio

Calvin de Haan is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Born on May 9, 1991, in Carp, Ontario, de Haan was selected 12th overall by the New York Islanders at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He is recognized as a steady, defensive-minded defenceman who has built a reliable professional career across multiple NHL organizations. De Haan represented Canada internationally, winning a silver medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship and a bronze at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championship.

Early Life and Background

Calvin de Haan grew up in Carp, Ontario, alongside his younger brother Evan, under the care of his parents Bill and Kathy. He attended Huntley Centennial Public School and later All Saints Catholic High School in his hometown region. Growing up in the Ottawa area, de Haan developed his passion for hockey at a young age and began playing at competitive levels in minor hockey before advancing to junior leagues.

Path to Professional Hockey

Prior to joining major junior hockey, de Haan played one season with the Kemptville 73’s of the Central Junior A Hockey League. His strong performance earned him Rookie of the Year honors in the 2007-08 season after scoring 42 points in 58 games. De Haan was then selected by the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the third round, 50th overall, at the 2007 OHL Priority Selection. He quickly established himself as one of the top defencemen in the league, showcasing both his defensive reliability and offensive upside.

Calvin de Haan Career

Amateur Career (2007-2011)

In his rookie season with the Oshawa Generals during the 2008-09 campaign, de Haan finished second on the team in scoring with 63 points, recording eight goals and 55 assists. The Generals honored him as both their top rookie and top defenceman that season. He also earned selections to the OHL All-Star Game and the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game, solidifying his reputation as an elite defensive prospect. Ranked 25th by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau heading into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, de Haan was projected as a late first or early second-round selection. However, the New York Islanders acquired the 12th overall pick through a trade and used it to select de Haan. The following season, de Haan required surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2009-10 season.

New York Islanders (2011-2018)

De Haan turned professional during the 2011-12 season, splitting time between the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League and his NHL debut with the Islanders. He made his NHL debut on December 15 against the Dallas Stars. While playing for the Sound Tigers that season, de Haan was named to the 2012 AHL All-Star Team. During the 2013-14 season, he scored his first career NHL goal in a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 7. Following that breakthrough campaign, the Islanders re-signed de Haan to a three-year, $5.9 million contract on July 15, 2014. He became a regular fixture on the Islanders blue line, appearing in 65 games the following season. In August 2017, de Haan signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract to avoid arbitration. However, he suffered a lower-body injury during a game against the Los Angeles Kings and underwent season-ending surgery, missing the final 49 games of the 2017-18 season.

Carolina Hurricanes (2018-2019)

On July 3, 2018, de Haan signed a four-year, $18.2 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. In his first season with the club in 2018-19, de Haan strengthened a dynamic Hurricanes blue line, contributing 1 goal and 13 assists in 74 regular season games. He helped Carolina return to the post-season for the first time in 10 years, appearing in a career-high 12 playoff games as the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Chicago Blackhawks (2019-2022)

On June 24, 2019, de Haan’s tenure with the Hurricanes ended when he was traded along with Aleksi Saarela to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Gustav Forsling and Anton Forsberg. However, his time in Chicago was plagued by injuries. He played only 29 games in the 2019-20 season before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. The injury setbacks limited his ability to establish a consistent role with the Blackhawks during his three seasons with the organization.

Tampa Bay Lightning (2023-2024)

As a free agent following his contract expiration with the Blackhawks, de Haan remained unsigned over the summer before returning to the Hurricanes organization initially on a tryout basis. He signed a one-year, $850,000 contract on October 2, 2022, and appeared in 59 games with the Hurricanes that season. On July 2, 2023, de Haan signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with his fourth NHL club, the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a third-pairing role with the Lightning during the 2023-24 season, de Haan made 59 regular season appearances while contributing 3 goals and 10 points. He featured in one post-season game, ending his tenure with the club.

Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers (2024-Present)

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Lightning, de Haan signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2024, for the 2024-25 season. On March 1, 2025, the Avalanche traded de Haan along with Juuso Pärssinen and two conditional draft picks to the New York Rangers in exchange for Hank Kempf, Ryan Lindgren, and Jimmy Vesey. The trade reunited de Haan with the organization that originally drafted him, as he was selected 12th overall by the Islanders in 2009.

Driving Style and Strengths

Calvin de Haan is known as a steady, reliable stay-at-home defenceman who excels in his own end of the rink. His game is built on strong positioning, sound defensive reads, and the ability to block shots and suppress opposing attacks. While not known for offensive production, he contributes solid two-way play and brings consistency to whatever lineup he joins. His experience and composure make him a valuable mentor for younger players on any blue line.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, de Haan has represented Canada at multiple international tournaments. He won a silver medal at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and a bronze medal at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships. Among his notable career moments, his first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in January 2014 stands out as a significant milestone. His playoff performance with Carolina in 2018-19, when he appeared in 12 post-season games during their run to the Eastern Conference Finals, represented his deepest post-season contribution at the NHL level.

Calvin de Haan Career Highlights

De Haan has accumulated over 500 career NHL games across 11 professional seasons with six different organizations. His career includes memorable moments ranging from international competition to significant regular-season achievements and playoff contributions.

NHL Career Statistics

De Haan reached several career milestones during his time in the NHL. His most productive offensive season came with the New York Islanders in 2013-14, when he scored his first NHL goal and appeared in over 50 games while establishing himself as a reliable top-four defender. His best statistical playoff performance occurred with Carolina in 2018-19, when he logged significant minutes during the Hurricanes’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals. After his NHL career, de Haan joined Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League, continuing his professional hockey career in Europe.

International Achievements

De Haan represented Canada at the international level on multiple occasions. He won a silver medal with Canada’s junior team at the 2010 World Junior Championship, though he missed two games after suffering a head injury in a game against Switzerland. He also contributed six assists in six games at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships, earning a bronze medal. De Haan was named an alternate captain for Canada’s junior team at the 2011 World Junior Championship, one of only four returning members from the 2010 silver-medal squad.

Family

Family Background

Calvin de Haan grew up in Carp, Ontario, as the son of Bill and Kathy de Haan. He has a younger brother named Evan who also pursued hockey. De Haan’s family supported his development throughout his minor hockey career in the Ottawa area, where he played before advancing to junior hockey with the Kemptville 73’s and later the Oshawa Generals.

2025 Season Outlook

The 2024-25 season began with de Haan joining the Colorado Avalanche on a one-year contract following his tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to the completion of the season, he was traded to the New York Rangers in March 2025, reuniting with the broader hockey community associated with his original draft organization. The trade provided de Haan with an opportunity to join a new blue line and compete for playing time in the Rangers’ defensive rotation. Looking ahead, de Haan continues to demonstrate the steady, reliable defensive presence that has characterized his professional career across multiple NHL organizations.