Cale Makar is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. Born on October 30, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, he was selected by the Avalanche with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Makar began his professional career with the Avalanche during the 2019–20 season, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. He achieved significant milestones in the following seasons, including winning the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman in 2022 and capturing the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche that same year, where he also received the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs.
In a recent game on March 16, 2025, Makar scored an overtime goal just 34 seconds into the extra period, leading the Avalanche to a 4-3 victory over the Dallas Stars. He also contributed two assists in that game, helping Colorado extend their point streak to nine games.
Internationally, Makar represented Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championships, where he led all defensemen with three goals and eight points in seven games, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
More recently, he was part of Canada’s roster at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in Montreal, alongside other NHL stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.