Trevor John Zegras (/ˈzɡrəs/ ZEE-grəs;[1] born March 20, 2001) is an American professional ice hockey center for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Ducks, ninth overall, in the 2019 NHL entry draft. Zegras played college ice hockey at Boston University.

Trevor Zegras
Zegras with the Anaheim Ducks in 2023
Born (2001-03-20) March 20, 2001 (age 23)
Bedford, New York, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
NHL team Anaheim Ducks
National team  United States
NHL draft 9th overall, 2019
Anaheim Ducks
Playing career 2021–present

Early life

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Zegras was born on March 20, 2001, in Bedford, New York[2] to parents of Greek descent,[3] Gary and Julie.[4] He began skating at the age of three and played in the Rising Stars youth program alongside his cousins.[5] Growing up, he was a fan of the New York Rangers but studied and emulated Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.[6]

Playing career

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Growing up in New York, Zegras played bantam major ice hockey with the Mid Fairfield Rangers before joining the Avon Old Farms school's Winged Beavers of the Founders League (USHS).[7] During his tenure with the Winged Beavers from 2016 to 2017, Zegras recorded 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points.[8] As a sophomore at Avon Old Farms, Zegras attended the USA Hockey National Team Development Program's (USNTDP) top 40 tryout and qualified for the team.[5]

Zegras joined the USNTDP under-17 team for their 2017–18 season in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he recorded 20 goals and 39 assists for 59 points. Following this, he joined their under-18 team in 2018–19 where he earned 87 points, including 61 assists.[5] As a result of his play in the USHL, Zegras was drafted in the first round, ninth overall, by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2019 NHL entry draft.[4] In spite of his draft selection, Zegras kept his commitment to play college ice hockey for Boston University.[8]

Collegiate

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Zegras played for the Boston University Terriers men's ice hockey team in the 2019–20 NCAA season, competing in 33 games where he finished tied for third among Division I freshmen in points with 36.[7] At the conclusion of his freshman season, Zegras was named to the Hockey East Third Team All-Star,[9] selected to Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and named a finalist for Hockey East Rookie of the Year.[10]

Professional

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Zegras in 2022.

Zegras concluded his collegiate career on March 27, 2020, by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks.[11] Following the signing, Zegras was re-assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, to play out the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[12] On February 5, 2021, Zegras made his professional debut with Gulls and had one goal and two assists in a 4–1 win over the Bakersfield Condors.[13] He was eventually recalled to the NHL level in late February,[12] and subsequently made his NHL debut against the Arizona Coyotes on February 22.[14] A few games later, on March 18, Zegras scored his first NHL goal in a 3–2 overtime win against the Arizona Coyotes. During the same game, fellow rookie Jamie Drysdale also scored, making the teammates the youngest in NHL history to each score their first NHL goals less than 2:30 apart.[15] He finished the season with 13 points through 24 games, with six points coming in his final six regular season games.[16]

Zegras was eventually returned to the AHL in April to aid in his development and transition to the professional league. When speaking of the re-assignment, executive vice president and general manager Bob Murray stated: "He's ahead of our scheduled progression, and as a result, we are moving him to center ice effective immediately. He will need some experience in the AHL first, but our expectation is that he will be back with us in the near future and play center for the Ducks for years to come."[17] Upon returning to the AHL, Zegras made the transition from left wing to center, which resulted in an increased offensive output.[18]

During training camp prior to the 2021–22 season, Zegras continued to play the role of center[16] and was named to their opening night roster.[19] Zegras quickly became a mainstay on the Ducks lineup, while playing alongside Sonny Milano and Rickard Rakell. On December 7, 2021, Zegras made a never seen before lacrosse-style assist to Sonny Milano in a game against the Buffalo Sabres.[20] By December, he had scored 22 points through 27 games to rank second amongst league rookies in scoring while also averaging 17 minutes of ice time.[21] As a result of his play, Zegras was one of four Ducks players on the NHL All-Star Game fan vote ballot.[22] He was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for December 2021, after recording 11 points in nine games.[23] Although Zegras was not nominated for the 2022 All-Star Game, he was later named a special guest, participating in the Breakaway Challenge.[24] Zegras finished his first full season with 23 goals and 38 assists, and was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year;[25] the award went to Moritz Seider.[26] In August 2022, Zegras was named the cover athlete for NHL 23 alongside Sarah Nurse.[27]

The following season, Zegras led the team in all statistical categories despite missing the playoffs, while recording a career-high 65 points and sharing the number of goals scored (23) with Troy Terry.[28] In the 2023–24 season, Zegras held out, missing training camp and most of the preseason.[29] He signed a three-year, $17.25 million contract on October 2, 2023.[30] He struggled to begin the season, recording only two points in his first 12 games, before being placed on injured reserve with osteitis pubis.[29] On December 23, Zegras returned from the injury after missing 20 games.[31][32] In a 3–2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, Zegras recorded one of two Michigan goals scored during that night's NHL games.[33] Seven games later, Zegras broke his ankle and missed 10 weeks, returning for the final 11 games of the season, registering eight points.[29]

International play

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Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing   United States
World Junior Championships
  2021 Canada
IIHF World U18 Championship
  2019 Sweden
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
  2017 Canada

On January 5, 2021, Zegras, representing the United States junior team at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships, won the gold medal over Canada junior team, scoring one goal and recorded one assist in 2–0 win. He was named World Juniors MVP after scoring seven goals and recording 11 assists during the tournament, which he also led in scoring.[34] He also tied the United States points record held by Jordan Schroeder.[35]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2016–17 Avon Old Farms USHS 28 18 24 42 18
2017–18 U.S. National Development Team USHL 31 11 21 32 32 8 1 5 6 2
2018–19 U.S. National Development Team USHL 27 14 26 40 34
2019–20 Boston University HE 33 11 25 36 43
2020–21 San Diego Gulls AHL 17 10 11 21 12 3 1 2 3 0
2020–21 Anaheim Ducks NHL 24 3 10 13 12
2021–22 Anaheim Ducks NHL 75 23 38 61 50
2022–23 Anaheim Ducks NHL 81 23 42 65 88
2023–24 Anaheim Ducks NHL 31 6 9 15 30
NHL totals 211 55 99 154 180

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2017 United States U17   6 2 4 6 4
2019 United States U18   5 0 9 9 2
2020 United States WJC 6th 5 0 9 9 4
2021 United States WJC   7 7 11 18 0
2024 United States WC 5th 8 1 1 2 4
Junior totals 23 9 33 42 10
Senior totals 8 1 1 2 4

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
College
Hockey East All-Rookie Team 2020 [10]
Hockey East Third All-Star Team 2020 [9]
NHL
NHL Rookie of the Month (December) 2021 [23]
NHL All-Rookie Team 2022 [36]
EA Sports NHL cover athlete 2023 [27]
International
U-17 champion 2017
WJC most assists 2020, 2021
WJC top 3 player on team 2020, 2021
WJC champion 2021
WJC MVP 2021 [34]
WJC All-Star Team 2021
WJC most points 2021
USA WJC points record 2021 [35]

References

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  1. ^ 2019–20 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Pronunciation Guide (Boston University on page 2). Retrieved November 1, 2021
  2. ^ "Trevor Zegras". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. ^ McCardle, Tommy (December 27, 2019). "Germany vs. USA: Trevor Zegras, Shane Pinto power Americans to first victory at 2020 World Juniors". The Sporting News. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Shohara, Kyle (June 21, 2019). "Gary Zegras Sees Son Trevor Fulfill Lifelong Dream". Anaheim Ducks. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  5. ^ a b c Olsen, Becky (July 10, 2018). "Hockey Was the Only Sport for Trevor Zegras". USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Larkin, Matt (June 13, 2021). "Trevor Zegras is Ready for the Big Time". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "13 Trevor Zegras". Boston University. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Siegel, Austin (June 14, 2019). "Blackhawks Draft Resume: Trevor Zegras". Chicago Blackhawks. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  9. ^ a b "Hockey East Names 2019-20 All-Star Teams". Hockey East. March 18, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Zegras Earns Spot on Hockey East All-Rookie Team". Boston University. March 17, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "Ducks Sign Zegras to Entry-Level Contract". Anaheim Ducks. March 27, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  12. ^ a b "Ducks Recall Zegras from San Diego". San Diego Gulls. February 21, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  13. ^ "Game summary: Bakersfield at San Diego, February 5, 2021". American Hockey League. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  14. ^ Teaford, Elliott (February 22, 2021). "Ducks squander 3-goal lead in Trevor Zegras' NHL debut, lose to Coyotes". The Orange County Register. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "Drysdale, Zegras Make History with First NHL Goals". Anaheim Ducks. March 19, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  16. ^ a b Morreale, Mike G. (August 19, 2021). "Zegras confident he can handle role as Ducks top center". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  17. ^ "Transitioning Him to Center, Ducks Reassign Zegras to San Diego". Anaheim Ducks. April 5, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  18. ^ Teaford, Elliott (April 17, 2021). "Ducks favor Trevor Zegras' transition to center in AHL". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  19. ^ "Ducks Announce Season-Opening Roster". Anaheim Ducks. October 12, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  20. ^ Ledra, Cristina (December 7, 2021). "Zegras, fans react to incredible lacrosse-style assist for Ducks". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  21. ^ Morreale, Mke G. (December 13, 2021). "Rookie Watch: Caufield, Zegras among best born in United States". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  22. ^ Weller, Matt (December 20, 2021). "Making the Case: Send Your Favorite Ducks to the All-Star Game". Anaheim Ducks. Retrieved December 20, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  23. ^ a b "Zegras of Ducks named NHL Rookie of the Month for December". National Hockey League. January 2, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  24. ^ "2022 NHL All-Star Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook to Showcase Hockey's Top Talent on Feb. 4". National Hockey League. January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  25. ^ "Bunting, Zegras, Seider named finalists for Calder Trophy". Sportsnet. May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  26. ^ Mills, Jonathan (June 21, 2022). "Moritz Seider captures Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved June 21, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  27. ^ a b Kulesa, Anna. "Zegras, Nurse star on cover of EA Sports NHL 23". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  28. ^ "NHL Buzz: Zegras to return from injury for Ducks against Kraken". National Hockey League. December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  29. ^ a b c Lee, Derek (October 5, 2024). "Ducks' Zegras is Ready to Bounce Back in 2024-25". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  30. ^ "Trevor Zegras re-signs with Anaheim Ducks in three-year deal worth $17.25-million". Sportsnet. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  31. ^ "Zegras placed on injured reserve by Ducks with lower-body injury". National Hockey League. November 13, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  32. ^ "Ducks' Trevor Zegras returning after 20-game absence". ESPN. December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  33. ^ Korac, Lou (December 24, 2023). "Bedard, Zegras get 'Michigan' goals before holiday break". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Aykroyd, Lucas (January 5, 2021). "Zegras named MVP". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  35. ^ a b "Trevor Zegras ties Jordan Schroeder's Team USA World Juniors all-time points record". Bardown.com. January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  36. ^ "NHL announces 2021-22 All-Rookie Team". nhl.com (Press release). June 21, 2022.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Anaheim Ducks first round draft pick
2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by EA Sports NHL cover athlete
2023
With: Sarah Nurse
Succeeded by