Zach Hyman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zach Hyman
Hyman with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023
Born	(1992-06-09) June 9, 1992 (age 33) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Edmonton Oilers Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Draft	123rd overall, 2010 Florida Panthers
Playing career	2015–present

Zachary Martin Hyman, born on June 9, 1992, is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left winger for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the Oilers, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hyman was named the 2011 Canadian Junior Hockey League Player of the Year by Hockey Canada. In 2013, he won a gold medal representing Canada at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel. During his 2014–15 college season, Hyman received many awards. He was named the University of Michigan's Athlete of the Year and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

The Florida Panthers picked Hyman in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL entry draft. However, they could not agree on a contract. So, Hyman's rights were traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015. In his first NHL season (2016–17), he set a new Maple Leafs record. He scored four short-handed goals as a rookie. He also tied a team record with assists in six straight games as a rookie.

Beyond hockey, Zach Hyman is a successful author of children's books. He has won awards and written best-selling stories.

Zach Hyman's Early Life and Family

Zach Hyman was born on June 9, 1992, in Toronto, Ontario. His parents are Stuart and Vicky Hyman. He grew up in the Forest Hill area with his four brothers: Spencer, Oliver, Cooper, and Shane.

Zach's father, Stuart, is involved in hockey as well. He is the chairman and Governor of the Markham Royals. He also chairs the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). Zach's younger brother, Spencer, is the assistant general manager and coach for the Markham Royals. His brother Oliver played for the Hamilton Red Wings for two seasons.

Hyman is Jewish. He went to United Synagogue Day School and graduated with honors from a Jewish high school. This was the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto.

Zach Hyman cares about his community. He volunteers his time for children's charities. These include Right To Play and First Book Canada. Every summer, he hosts a golf tournament with celebrities. This event raises money for charities in Edmonton and Toronto. One of these is the SickKids Hospital in Toronto.

Hyman is married to Alannah Mozes, who is a lawyer. They have two sons together.

Zach Hyman's Hockey Career Journey

Junior Hockey Years

Hyman played for the Hamilton Red Wings from 2008 to 2011. His father, Stuart Hyman, bought the team in 2003. He still owns and governs the team. In his first season, Zach scored 13 goals and 24 assists in 49 games. He was named the Red Wings' Rookie of the Year. In his second season, Hyman became team captain. He scored 35 goals and 40 assists in 49 games.

In his last Junior A season, Hyman was the top scorer for the Red Wings. He had 42 goals and 60 assists in 43 games. He was second in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) for scoring. He had 102 points in 43 games. He also led all players with 2.37 points per game.

After a great season, Hyman was named to the OJHL's North-West Conference First All-Star Team. Hockey Canada gave him the CJHL Player of the Year Award. He was only the second player from the OJHL to win this award. In 2010, Hyman was chosen as the OJHL's Most Gentlemanly Player. He was also a two-time Red Wings' MVP. His jersey was even displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fame after the 2010–11 season.

College Hockey at Michigan

Hyman first planned to play for Princeton University. But he changed his mind when their coach left. In May 2011, Hyman got a scholarship. He decided to play for the University of Michigan for the 2011–12 season.

In his first year at Michigan, Hyman played 41 games. He scored 2 goals and had 7 assists. He scored his first college goal on October 21, 2011. In his second year, he had 4 goals and 5 assists in 38 games. During his third year, he scored 7 goals and 10 assists in 35 games. He won the 2014 Bates/Deskins Award. This award goes to Michigan's Top Junior Student Athlete.

Hyman with the Wolverines during his final year at the University of Michigan

In his final year, Hyman was named an alternate captain. He was Michigan's top scorer and the Big Ten Scoring Champion. He set a new record with 54 points, scoring 22 goals and 32 assists in 37 games. Hyman was the first Michigan player to score 20 goals in a season since Louie Caporusso. He was also the first to get 50 points or more since Carl Hagelin. He had 17 games with multiple points. On October 24, 2014, Hyman scored a career-high five points. He also got his first hat-trick in that game.

In December 2014, Hyman was part of the 50th Great Lakes Invitational Tournament team. He scored both game-winning goals. This helped Michigan win its 16th Tournament Title.

After his great senior season, Hyman was named to the 2014–15 All-Big Ten First Team. He was also named an AHCA First Team All-American. Hyman was a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He was also named the Big Ten Media Most Valuable Player by SB Nation College Hockey.

On March 27, 2015, Hyman received the 2015 All-American Athlete Award. This award recognized his athletic achievements. It also honored his dedication to strength and conditioning.

Hyman graduated from Michigan with a history major. He was a three-time Big Ten All-Academic selection. He also received the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award twice. This means he had a high grade point average (GPA).

Hyman at the 2015 Michigan Hockey Awards Banquet

On May 4, 2015, Hyman was named a Senior Athlete of the Year Award winner at Michigan. This award was previously won by famous athletes like Jim Harbaugh and Tom Brady.

On June 11, 2015, Hyman was named to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-America Division I Men's At-Large team. He was the second ice hockey player at Michigan to get this honor.

On June 22, 2015, the University of Michigan Athletic Department named Hyman the 2014–15 Michigan Athlete of the Year. He was the third ice hockey player to receive this honor.

Professional Hockey Career

The Florida Panthers drafted Hyman in 2010. After college, the Panthers offered him an NHL contract. But Hyman decided not to sign with them. He chose to become a free agent instead.

Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs (2015–2021)

On June 19, 2015, the Toronto Maple Leafs got Hyman's playing rights. They traded for him from the Florida Panthers. On June 23, Hyman signed a two-year contract with Toronto.

Hyman after scoring the first goal of his NHL career, against Chad Johnson, on March 7, 2016

Hyman started his professional career with the Maple Leafs' minor league team, the Toronto Marlies. He made his debut on October 9, 2015. He got his first professional point, an assist. On November 7, Hyman scored his first professional goal. It was a short-handed goal.

On February 29, 2016, Hyman was called up to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had scored 13 goals and 20 assists in 54 games for the Marlies. He also led the AHL in short-handed goals. He played his first NHL game later that night. He scored his first NHL goal a week later, on March 7. It was against the Buffalo Sabres.

On March 31, 2016, Hyman was sent back to the Marlies. This was to prepare for the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. The team was a favorite to win the Calder Cup. But they were eliminated in the third round. Hyman played every game, even with a broken nose.

On October 11, 2016, Hyman earned a permanent spot on the Maple Leafs. He was on the team's opening day roster for the 2016–17 season. He played in the season opener on October 12. He was on a line with other rookies, Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Hyman assisted on Auston Matthews' first-ever NHL goal in that game.

Hyman taking the puck from Zdeno Chára on March 26, 2016

During the 2016–17 NHL season, Hyman tied or broke several Maple Leafs records. On February 6, 2017, Hyman scored his third short-handed goal of the season. This broke the Maple Leafs' rookie record. He also tied the record for most consecutive games with an assist by a rookie. On March 28, 2017, Hyman set a new Maple Leafs record. He scored four short-handed goals in a single season as a rookie.

On March 15, 2016, Hyman had his first game with multiple points. On October 7, 2017, he had another multi-point game.

On July 5, 2017, Hyman signed a four-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs.

Hyman played on the Maple Leafs' top line during the 2017–18 season. He set new career highs in goals, assists, and points. On December 29, 2017, Hyman scored his fifth career short-handed goal. The Maple Leafs made the playoffs for the second year in a row. They lost in the first round.

Hyman missed the start of the 2019–20 season. He was recovering from knee surgery. He returned on November 13. Hyman finished the season with 21 goals and 37 points in just 51 games.

Hyman was named an Alternate Captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs before the 2020–21 season.

Joining the Edmonton Oilers (2021–Present)

After his contract ended, Hyman wanted to stay with the Maple Leafs. But the team's salary cap made a deal difficult. So, he started talking with the Edmonton Oilers. On July 28, 2021, Hyman signed a seven-year contract with the Oilers. Hyman said he was excited to play with stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Hyman with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023.

Hyman played his first game with the Oilers on October 15. He scored a power play goal. He had 11 goals and 8 assists in his first 26 games. He then missed three games due to a minor shoulder injury.

The Oilers had a tough time in December and January. They lost many games. In February, general manager Ken Holland changed coaches. Jay Woodcroft became the new coach. Woodcroft started playing Hyman more on the top lines. The Oilers improved greatly under Woodcroft. They finished second in their division and made the playoffs. Hyman had his best regular season with 27 goals and 27 assists.

The Oilers faced the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. They won the series in seven games. This was Hyman's first time advancing to the second round. The Oilers then played the Calgary Flames. This was the first playoff "Battle of Alberta" in 31 years. Hyman played incredibly well. He scored 6 goals and 8 points in 5 games. He set a team record by scoring a goal in every game of the series. The Oilers reached the Western Conference Final. They lost to the Colorado Avalanche. Hyman had his best playoff run ever, scoring 11 goals and 16 points in 16 games.

In the 2022–23 season, he achieved a career high of 83 points. In the 2023–24 season, he scored a career-high 54 goals. This was the third-best in the NHL.

Zach Hyman's International Play

Zach Hyman (right) with his brother Spencer, while playing for Team Canada during the 2013 Maccabiah Games
Medal record
Representing Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Junior A Challenge
Silver	2010 Penticton
Maccabiah Games
Gold	2013 Israel

In 2010, Hyman was 17 years old. He was an assistant captain for Canada in the U20 Three Nations tournament in Sweden. He was named game MVP against Finland. He scored two goals in that game. He finished the tournament with three goals and one assist.

Hyman represented Canada East at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge. He was named MVP of the game against Russia. He was one of the tournament's top scorers. He won a silver medal.

In July 2013, Hyman was an alternate captain for Canada. He played at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel. He scored three goals and three assists in two games. He won a gold medal there.

Zach Hyman's Career Statistics

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2010	Canada East	WJAC			5	2	3	5	4
2013	Canada	Maccabiah Games			2	3	3	6	0
International totals					7	5	6	11	4

Awards and Achievements in Hockey

NHL Records Set by Zach Hyman

NHL Wide Records

• Most goals in a single postseason during the salary cap era (16).
• Led the NHL in goal scoring (70) during the 2023-2024 regular season and playoffs (tied with Auston Matthews).

Toronto Maple Leafs Records

• Most short-handed goals by a rookie (4).
• Most consecutive games with an assist by a rookie (6) (tied with three other players).
• Most empty net goals in a season (6).
• All-time leader in empty net goals (13).

Edmonton Oilers Records

• First and only Oilers player to score a goal in every playoff game of a series. This happened during the "Battle of Alberta" in May 2022, where he scored 6 goals in 5 games.
• Hyman joins Esa Tikkanen (1990) as the only Oilers players to score a goal in 6 straight playoff games.
• Second player to score a first-period natural hat-trick in Oilers history (November 11, 2023). The other was Wayne Gretzky (December 17, 1986).
• Second player in Oilers history to score 15 goals in 10 home games (March 13, 2024). The other was Wayne Gretzky.
• Hyman tied Wayne Gretzky (1981-1982) for the longest home goal-streak in Oilers history (10 games) on March 13, 2024.
• Hyman tied Jari Kurri (1987) with six goals for most goals through the first three playoff games by an Oilers player (April 26, 2024).
• Hyman tied Mark Messier (1983) with nine goals for the most playoff goals in Oilers history through six games (May 8, 2024).
• Hyman joined Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin as the only NHL players to score 15 goals in a playoff run in the Salary Cap Era (June 18, 2024).
• Hyman scored his 16th NHL Playoff goal on June 21, 2024. This made him the NHL player with the MOST goals (16) in a single postseason during the Salary Cap Era.
• Hyman currently holds the NHL record for most goals (16) in a single postseason by any active player.
• Hyman scored his 70th goal of the regular season and playoffs on June 21, 2024. This tied him with Auston Matthews as the leading goal scorer in the NHL 2023-2024 season.

Zach Hyman's Writing Career

Hyman signing a book and a Maple Leafs jersey for a young reader

Zach Hyman is also a best-selling author. He has a contract with Penguin Random House.

His award-winning children's book, The Bambino and Me, is about a young Yankees fan named George. George loves Babe Ruth and carries his baseball card everywhere. Hyman's second book, Hockey Hero, came out in October 2015. It tells the story of a shy hockey player. He learns to overcome playing in his brother's shadow and makes his dream come true.

His newest book, The Magician's Secret, was released on April 3, 2018. This book follows Charlie's adventures. He listens to stories from his grandfather's Magic Story Chest. Charlie learns that believing in dreams can make them real. The Magician's Secret was also nominated for the 2019 Blue Spruce Award.

He is currently working on a fourth children's book for Penguin Random House. It might be about basketball.

See also

• List of select Jewish ice hockey players