Jeff Malott

Jeff Malott Bio

Jeffrey Turner Malott is a Canadian professional ice hockey player serving as a left winger for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 7, 1996, in Burlington, Ontario, Malott developed his skills in junior leagues before advancing to a distinguished collegiate career at Cornell University. He turned professional in 2021 and has since established himself as a reliable two-way forward, becoming the first player from his Cornell graduating class to sign a professional contract. Malott currently plays under a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings, signed in July 2024.

Early Life and Background

Malott was born on August 7, 1996, in Burlington, Ontario, to Murray and Anne Malott. He was raised in Hamilton, Ontario’s Waterdown community, where he grew up playing ice hockey alongside soccer and basketball. From an early age, Malott demonstrated a strong work ethic and versatility across multiple sports, which would later translate into his disciplined approach to hockey.

His hockey journey began in junior leagues, where he quickly stood out as a talented forward. Before advancing to higher levels, Malott balanced his athletic pursuits with his education, eventually earning an opportunity to continue his development at the collegiate level while pursuing academic excellence.

Path to Professional Hockey

Malott began his junior hockey career with the Caledonia Pro-Fit Corvairs of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2013-14 season. In his rookie campaign, he recorded 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points in 48 regular-season games. The Corvairs captured the Sutherland Cup Championship that season, with Malott contributing seven goals and 11 assists across 26 postseason games. The team also secured the regular-season championship.

Following his success in Ontario, Malott moved to the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), joining the Brooks Bandits for two seasons. During the 2015-16 season, serving as an alternate captain, he scored 25 goals and 60 points in 46 games. His leadership and offensive production helped the Bandits win the AJHL championship and qualify for the RBC Cup national tournament.

In September 2015, Malott committed to play college ice hockey for Cornell University, matriculating for the 2016-17 season. His commitment to Cornell marked a significant step in his development, combining competitive hockey with academic pursuits at a prestigious institution.

Jeff Malott Career

College Career at Cornell University (2016-2020)

Malott arrived at Cornell University as a promising freshman and wasted no time making an impact. He recorded his first collegiate point on November 29, assisting on Eric Freschi’s game-winning goal in Cornell’s 3-2 victory against Colgate University. His most memorable early performance came on January 13, when he scored a hat-trick against Princeton. This feat was particularly notable as it marked the first time a Cornell freshman had achieved a hat-trick since Matt Moulson accomplished the feat in 2003. Malott earned ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week recognition for his performance. He finished his freshman season with six goals and nine points in 30 games.

As a sophomore during the 2017-18 season, Malott continued to develop his all-around game. He opened the season with a goal in Cornell’s 5-1 victory over Alabama-Huntsville and maintained consistent offensive production throughout the year. A standout moment came on November 11 when he recorded a point on every goal of Cornell’s 3-2 comeback victory over Harvard, providing assists on the opening and game-winning goals while scoring the game-tying goal. He concluded his sophomore season with six goals and 17 points in 28 games, earning recognition on the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team.

NHL Breakthrough with Winnipeg Jets (2022-2024)

Malott signed his first NHL contract with the Winnipeg Jets on May 31, 2021, agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract worth $780,000 for the 2021-22 season. Prior to reaching the NHL, he had been developing his professional game with the Manitoba Moose, the Jets’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. In his first professional season with the Moose, Malott scored 14 goals, the most on the team and the second-highest total among all AHL rookies that year. He recorded 20 points and 35 penalty minutes in 34 games.

On March 20, 2022, Malott was promoted to the Winnipeg Jets after scoring 32 goals and 48 points with the Moose since beginning his professional career. He made his NHL debut that same night in the Jets’ 6-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, recording three hits in just over four minutes of ice time. Earlier that season, on February 28, 2022, Malott had gained attention for winning a shootout against the Chicago Wolves and then casually skating off the ice without celebrating, a moment that went viral among hockey fans.

Malott continued to develop with the Jets organization over the following seasons, gradually adjusting to the speed and intensity of NHL competition. His two-way contract allowed him to shuttle between the NHL and AHL levels, providing the Jets with flexibility while Malott refined his game.

Los Angeles Kings Era (2024-Present)

Upon the conclusion of his contract with the Winnipeg Jets, Malott entered free agency in July 2024. He signed with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1, 2024, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $1.55 million. The move represented a new chapter in his career, joining a franchise with established NHL credentials and a track record of developing reliable forwards.

With the Kings, Malott brings his two-way playing style and defensive awareness to a team that values responsible defensive play from its forwards. His ability to contribute in various situations and maintain composure in his own zone makes him a valuable asset for the organization’s forward depth.

Driving Style and Strengths

Malott has earned recognition as a responsible defensive forward capable of playing in all situations. During his senior season at Cornell, he was a finalist for the ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Forward award. Remarkably, he was the only college hockey player in the country who was never on the ice for a full-strength goal against his team, finishing with a plus-15 plus-minus rating. His strong positioning, backchecking ability, and hockey intelligence allow him to contribute both ends of the ice effectively.

Notable Events and Milestones

Several moments have defined Malott’s career trajectory. His freshman hat-trick at Cornell set a precedent that had not been achieved in over a decade. Becoming the first Cornell player from his graduating class to sign a professional contract demonstrated his readiness for the next level. His viral shootout moment with the Moose showcased his composed demeanor under pressure. Each milestone reflected his steady progression through the hockey ranks.

Jeff Malott Career Statistics

Malott has compiled professional statistics across multiple leagues, demonstrating consistent goal-scoring ability at the AHL level and adapting to NHL competition.

Professional Highlights

At the AHL level, Malott established himself as a prolific scorer with the Manitoba Moose. His 14-goal rookie season led the team and ranked second among all AHL rookies. His 32-goal pace with the Moose convinced the Jets to promote him to the NHL roster in March 2022. At Cornell, he finished his four-year career with 19 goals and 43 points in 124 games, while maintaining exceptional defensive metrics that set him apart from his peers.

Junior and College Achievements

Prior to turning professional, Malott achieved success at both the junior and collegiate levels. He won a Sutherland Cup with the Caledonia Corvairs and captured an AJHL championship with the Brooks Bandits. At Cornell, his Hat-trick against Princeton in his freshman year earned ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week honors. His leadership qualities were evident when he served as one of three team captains during his senior season, guiding the Big Red to an undefeated start in the 2019-20 season.

Jeff Malott Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Malott comes from an athletic family with strong connections to competitive sports. His father Murray Malott and mother Anne Malott provided support and guidance throughout his development as a hockey player. The Malott family valued both athletic achievement and educational pursuits, which influenced Jeffrey’s decision to pursue college hockey at Cornell University before turning professional.

Personal Life

Outside of hockey, Malott maintains a relatively private personal life. His older brother Mike Malott is a notable mixed martial arts fighter and coach who joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship in February 2022. The brothers have pursued different combat sports but share competitive drive and dedication to their respective athletic careers. Jeff’s Instagram account (@ffej_malott) provides glimpses into his professional life and training routines.

2025 Season Performance

The 2024-25 NHL season marks Malott’s first full campaign with the Los Angeles Kings following his July 2024 free-agent signing. Entering his prime years at age 29, Malott brings stability and two-way competence to the Kings’ forward group. His adaptation to the team’s systems and relationships with new linemates will be key factors in determining his role and production throughout the season.

The Kings are seeking reliable depth scoring and responsible defensive play from their bottom-six forwards, areas where Malott has demonstrated competence throughout his career. His ability to kill penalties and contribute in transition situations aligns with the team’s tactical approach. Consistency will be essential as he looks to cement his place within the organization’s long-term plans.

Looking ahead, Malott’s trajectory suggests he will continue serving as a dependable middle-six forward capable of filling various roles as needed. His contract runs through the 2025-26 season, providing him an opportunity to establish himself as a consistent NHL contributor. The Kings will evaluate his progress throughout the season to determine his fit within the franchise’s competitive window.