Brayden McNabb facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brayden McNabb
McNabb with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018
Born	(1991-01-21) January 21, 1991 (age 34) Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Vegas Golden Knights Buffalo Sabres Los Angeles Kings
NHL Draft	66th overall, 2009 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2011–present

Brayden Luke McNabb (born January 21, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Buffalo Sabres first chose him in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He also played for the Sabres and the Los Angeles Kings. Brayden McNabb helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023.

Brayden's Hockey Journey

Playing in Junior Leagues

Brayden McNabb was picked in the second round of the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. He started playing for the Kootenay Ice during the end of the 2006–07 season.

In the 2007–08 season, he played in 65 games. He scored 2 goals and made 9 assists, totaling 11 points. He also had one assist in 10 playoff games.

During the 2008–09 season, Brayden played as a strong defensive player. He scored 10 goals and made 26 assists in 67 games. He also had 140 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, he added five assists in four games. That season, he played in the CHL Top Prospects Game. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada in 2008.

On June 26, 2009, the Buffalo Sabres picked Brayden in the NHL Draft. He went to a prep school in Saskatchewan where he played with another defenceman, Tyler Myers.

Brayden was the captain of the Kootenay Ice from 2010 to 2011. He led them to the 2011 Memorial Cup.

Playing in the Big Leagues

Time with the Buffalo Sabres

McNabb at the 2013 AHL All-Star Skills Competition.

On May 18, 2011, Brayden signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres. After training camp, he joined the Rochester Americans, the Sabres' minor league team. He was called up to the NHL on November 26, 2011, because of injuries on the Sabres.

Brayden scored his first NHL goal on December 26, 2011. It was against Tomáš Vokoun of the Washington Capitals. He stayed in the NHL until he got a concussion in January. He missed eight games and then went back to the minor league. Brayden returned to the Sabres in March. By the end of the season, he was one of six players to score their first NHL goal for the Sabres.

Brayden went to the Sabres' training camp for the 2012–13 season. He was sent back to the minor league team, the Rochester Americans. He played very well, with a five-game assist streak in October. He kept getting better and had three goals and 18 assists in 39 games. Because of his great play, he was chosen for the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic. He even competed in the hardest shot event. He set new personal bests in goals, assists, and points that season.

In his last year of the first contract, Brayden wanted to make the Sabres' main team. He started the 2013–14 season in the AHL. But he was called up to the NHL after playing 15 games. He made his season debut on November 21. He was sent back to the AHL in December but was quickly called back up.

Joining the Los Angeles Kings

McNabb playing for the Kings in 2016.

On March 5, 2014, Brayden McNabb was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He finished the 2013–14 season with the Kings' minor league team, the Manchester Monarchs. After that, he signed a new two-year contract with the Kings.

The 2014–15 season was Brayden's first full year in the NHL. He played as a two-way defenceman. This means he was good at both defending and helping with offense. In March 2015, he had his best game for points, with one goal and two assists. He ended his first full NHL season with 24 points in 71 games.

Brayden returned to the Kings for the 2015–16 season. On June 4, 2016, he signed another two-year contract with the team.

He started the season with the Kings but broke his collarbone on October 31, 2016. He missed almost two months of games. When he came back, he played his 200th NHL game on January 4, 2017.

Becoming a Vegas Golden Knight

On June 21, 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights picked Brayden McNabb in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. He chose to wear jersey number 3. By late November, he had two assists and 19 penalty minutes. He was known for his physical play, with many hits and blocked shots. Because of his strong play, the Golden Knights signed him to a four-year contract worth $10 million on November 27.

Brayden missed three games due to an injury but returned on February 2. He continued his physical style of play. On March 4, he made a career-high 11 hits in one game. He finished his first season with the Knights as a top defenceman. He scored a career-high five goals in 76 games.

The Golden Knights made it to the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. They played against Brayden's old team, the Los Angeles Kings. In Game 4, Brayden scored the only goal, helping the Golden Knights win the series. They became the first NHL team to sweep a playoff series in their first season. The Golden Knights then beat the San Jose Sharks. After that, they faced the Winnipeg Jets in the Western Conference Final. They won that series in five games, reaching the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals against the Washington Capitals.

After losing to the Capitals, Brayden returned for the 2018–19 season. He played with Colin Miller at the start of the season. When his usual partner, Nate Schmidt, returned, they became the Knights' top defensive pair. The Knights played the Sharks again in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs but lost in seven games. On January 30, 2022, the Golden Knights signed Brayden to another three-year contract.

By the 2022–23 season, Brayden was one of only six original Golden Knights players left. The team reached the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals for the second time. They won the Stanley Cup by beating the Florida Panthers in five games. Brayden and four other original Golden Knights started the final game.

On November 15, 2024, Brayden signed a new three-year contract extension with the Golden Knights. This means he will stay with the team until the 2027–28 season.

Playing for His Country

Brayden McNabb first played for Canada West in the 2008 World U17 Hockey Challenge. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He also played for Canada in the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Brayden was invited to try out for Canada's 2011 National Junior Team. However, he did not make the final team roster.

About His Family

Brayden McNabb has a younger brother named Dean. Dean also plays hockey. He played in the Western Hockey League for different teams between 2017 and 2021.

Awards and Special Mentions