Cale Makar Biography

Cale Douglas Makar, born October 30, 1998, is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who has played as a defenceman and serves as alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League. He was selected fourth overall by the Avalanche in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Makar won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2022 playoffs. Internationally, he has represented Canada at the junior level, earning gold at the 2018 World Junior Championships. A native of Calgary, Makar began his minor hockey career with the Crowchild Blackhawks before joining the NWCAA Bruins at the Bantam level in 2011. He was drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, selected 164th overall in the eighth round. During his only full season with the Calgary Flames at the minor midget level in 2014–15, Makar recorded 23 points in 34 games, earned team MVP honors, and was named to the Alberta Midget Hockey League First All-Star Team.