Matt Duchene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matt Duchene |
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Duchene with the Dallas Stars in 2025
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| Born | January 16, 1991 Haliburton, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre / Right wing | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Dallas Stars Colorado Avalanche Frölunda HC HC Ambrì-Piotta Ottawa Senators Columbus Blue Jackets Nashville Predators |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 3rd overall, 2009 Colorado Avalanche |
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| Playing career | 2009–present | ||
Matthew David Duchene (born January 16, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre for the Dallas Stars in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Before joining the Stars, Duchene played for the Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Nashville Predators. While playing for the Predators, he set a new team record for the most goals scored in one season.
The Colorado Avalanche picked Duchene third overall in the 2009 NHL entry draft. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Contents
- Matt Duchene's Hockey Journey
- Playing for Team Canada
- Matt Duchene's Life Off the Ice
- Career Statistics
- Awards and Honours
Matt Duchene's Hockey Journey
Early Years in Minor Hockey
Matt Duchene started playing hockey in his hometown of Haliburton, Ontario. He then moved on to play for the Central Ontario Wolves in the OMHA's Eastern AAA League.
In 2006, Duchene thought about playing college hockey in the United States. However, after the 2006–07 season, the Brampton Battalion picked him in the first round of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection. The OHL is a major junior league in Canada.
Playing in Junior Hockey
Duchene played major junior hockey for the Brampton Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In his first season (2007–08), he scored 30 goals and 50 points.
The next season (2008–09), he improved to 79 points in 57 games. He also added 26 points in the playoffs. This helped the Battalion reach the J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals. They were defeated by the Windsor Spitfires.
Joining the NHL: The Draft
Before the 2009 NHL entry draft, Duchene was ranked as one of the top North American skaters. Many people thought he might be picked first overall.
The Colorado Avalanche selected Duchene third overall. He was a big fan of the Avalanche growing up. A video even showed him celebrating when he knew he would be drafted by them!
First NHL Season with the Avalanche
Duchene made his NHL debut on October 1, 2009, with an assist against the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first NHL goal on October 17 against the Detroit Red Wings.
The Avalanche decided he would stay with the team for the whole season. In December 2009, he was named the NHL Rookie of the Month. He scored 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 14 games.
On April 6, 2010, Duchene scored the winning goal in a shootout. This helped the Avalanche make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs. He finished his first season with 55 points, ranking first among NHL rookies. He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie team.
All-Star and Leading Scorer
In January 2011, Duchene was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game. He became the youngest player in Avalanche history to lead the team in scoring that season, with 67 points.
On November 4, 2011, Duchene scored his first career hat-trick (three goals in one game). Injuries caused him to play only 58 games that season.
During the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, Duchene played hockey in Europe. He played for Frölunda HC in Sweden and HC Ambrì-Piotta in Switzerland. He returned to the Avalanche when the NHL season started again.
On July 18, 2013, Duchene signed a new five-year contract with Colorado.
Leading the Avalanche to Success
In the 2013–14 season, Duchene helped the Avalanche win the Central Division title. He led the team in assists and points.
He missed some playoff games due to a knee injury. The Avalanche were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. On October 13, 2016, Duchene was named an alternate captain for the 2016–17 season.
Moving to the Ottawa Senators
During the 2017–18 season, Duchene was traded to the Ottawa Senators. This was part of a big three-team trade involving the Avalanche and the Nashville Predators.
In 68 games for the Senators, Duchene scored 23 goals and 26 assists. In October 2018, Duchene and other Senators players apologized for comments they made about their assistant coach.
Time with the Columbus Blue Jackets
On February 22, 2019, Duchene was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played 23 games for them, scoring 4 goals and 8 assists.
The Blue Jackets made it to the 2019 playoffs. They surprised everyone by beating the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning. Duchene scored five goals and five assists in ten playoff games.
Record-Breaking with the Nashville Predators
On July 1, 2019, Duchene signed a seven-year contract with the Nashville Predators. During the 2021–22 season, Duchene set a new team record for the most goals scored in a single season.
Joining the Dallas Stars
In the summer of 2023, the Predators decided to buy out Duchene's contract. This meant he became a free agent.
On July 1, 2023, Duchene signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. On December 7, 2023, he played his 1,000th NHL game in the NHL.
During the 2024 playoffs, Duchene scored the game-winning goal in double overtime against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche. This win sent the Stars to the Western Conference Final. In the 2024-25 season, Duchene served as an alternate captain for the Stars.
Playing for Team Canada
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ice hockey | ||
| Representing Canada |
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| Winter Olympics | ||
| Gold | 2014 Sochi | |
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 2015 Czech Republic | |
| Gold | 2016 Russia | |
| Silver | 2017 Germany/France | |
| Canada Cup / World Cup | ||
| Gold | 2016 Canada | |
| IIHF World U18 Championships | ||
| Gold | 2008 Russia | |
Duchene has played for Team Canada many times. He won a gold medal at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He also won gold at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
After his rookie NHL season, Duchene joined the senior Canadian team for the 2010 IIHF World Championship. He scored four goals and three assists in seven games.
He also played in the 2011 IIHF World Championship. In 2012, he helped Canada win the 2012 Spengler Cup.
In 2014, Duchene was part of the Canadian team that won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He played in the semi-final and the gold medal game.
At the 2015 World Championship, Canada won gold with a perfect record. Duchene had four goals and eight assists in that tournament. He also won gold at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In 2017, he won a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
Matt Duchene's Life Off the Ice
Matt Duchene is a Christian. He is the nephew of Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Newell Brown. Growing up, Duchene was a huge fan of the Colorado Avalanche. He had jerseys of his childhood heroes, Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy.
On July 8, 2017, Duchene married Ashley Grossaint. They have three children: Beau David Newell Duchene, Jaymes Olivia Duchene, and another daughter named Ellie.
In February 2024, Duchene became a brand ambassador for Can-i Wellness oral spray supplements.
Career Statistics
Regular Season and Playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2006–07 | Central Ontario Wolves | ETA U16 | 52 | 69 | 37 | 106 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Brampton Battalion | OHL | 64 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09 | Brampton Battalion | OHL | 57 | 31 | 48 | 79 | 42 | 21 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 21 | ||
| 2009–10 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 81 | 24 | 31 | 55 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 80 | 27 | 40 | 67 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 58 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Frölunda HC | SEL | 19 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | HC Ambrì–Piotta | NLA | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 47 | 17 | 26 | 43 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 71 | 23 | 47 | 70 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 82 | 21 | 34 | 55 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 77 | 30 | 29 | 59 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 77 | 18 | 23 | 41 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 14 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 68 | 23 | 26 | 49 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 50 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 23 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 66 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 34 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 78 | 43 | 43 | 86 | 38 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 71 | 22 | 34 | 56 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 80 | 25 | 40 | 65 | 20 | 19 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 2024–25 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 82 | 30 | 52 | 82 | 12 | 18 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | ||
| NHL totals | 1,138 | 371 | 520 | 891 | 298 | 69 | 13 | 24 | 37 | 18 | ||||
International Play
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Canada Ontario | U17 |  |
6 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 | |
| 2008 | Canada | WJC18 | |
7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 6 | |
| 2008 | Canada | IH18 | |
4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2010 | Canada | WC | 7th | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2011 | Canada | WC | 5th | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2012 | Canada | SC | |
4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2013 | Canada | WC | 5th | 8 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2014 | Canada | OG | |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015 | Canada | WC | |
10 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2016 | Canada | WC | |
10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2016 | Canada | WCH | |
7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2017 | Canada | WC |  |
10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Junior totals | 17 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 18 | ||||
| Senior totals | 66 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 8 | ||||
Awards and Honours
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| OHL | ||
| Bobby Smith Trophy | 2009 | |
| NHL | ||
| All-Rookie team | 2010 | |
| All-Star Game | 2011, 2016 | |
| International | ||
| Spengler Cup All-Star Team | 2012 | |
