Zach Whitecloud

Last updated

Zach Whitecloud
Zach Whitecloud (1).png
Whitecloud in 2018
Born (1996-11-28) November 28, 1996 (age 28)
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team Vegas Golden Knights
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2018–present

Zach Whitecloud (born November 28, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Whitecloud went undrafted while playing for Bemidji State University. As a college free agent, he signed with the Golden Knights in 2018.

Contents

Early life

Zach Whitecloud was born on November 28, 1996, in Brandon, Manitoba. Whitecloud is of Dakota descent and was raised in Brandon, spending time at the nearby Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. [1] He considers both Brandon and Sioux Valley as home. [1] Whitecloud began skating at two years old. [2] As a youth, he played for the Sioux Valley team and then the Brandon Youth Hockey Association. [1] During his childhood, Whitecloud's family served as a billet family for Brandon Wheat Kings players. [2] Whitecloud graduated from Vincent Massey High School in 2015. [3]

Playing career

During his second full season with the Virden Oil Capitals, Whitecloud announced his commitment to play hockey for Bemidji State University. [4] Following his rookie year at Bemidji State, where he led defencemen in scoring, Whitecloud was invited to the Los Angeles Kings development camp before the 2017–18 NHL season. [5] [6] Following his sophomore year at Bemidji, Whitecloud was named the 2017–18 WCHA Scholar-Athlete and named to the WCHA All-Academic Team. [7] He ended the season with 19 points and a team-best 51 blocked shots. [7]

Vegas Golden Knights

Whitecloud with the Golden Knights in 2024. Zach Whitecloud - October 2024.jpg
Whitecloud with the Golden Knights in 2024.

Whitecloud was signed by the Vegas Golden Knights to a three-year, entry-level contract on March 8, 2018. [8] [9] He played his first career NHL game on April 5, 2018, against the Edmonton Oilers. [10] He finished the game with a team-best plus-3 in 16:42 of ice time in a 4–3 loss to the Oilers. [11] Although the Golden Knights qualified for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Whitecloud was ineligible to be on the roster since he was not on the team's reserve list by the trade deadline. [12]

While attending the Knights training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, Whitecloud was re-assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. [13]

Late in the 2019–20 season, Whitecloud established himself with Vegas Golden Knights and he and teammate Nick Holden were one of the best duos in the playoffs in terms of defense and possession. [14] He was signed to a two-year contract extension on March 22, 2020. [15]

On October 28, 2021, Whitecloud signed a six-year, $16.5 million contract extension with the Golden Knights. [16]

The first round of the Golden Knights' 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs was played against the Winnipeg Jets of Whitecloud's home province, with him noting that many in his family had been fans of the team and generally cheered for them when not playing the Golden Knights. [17] The Golden Knights reached the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, with Whitecloud one of two indigenous players in the series, alongside Mohawk defenceman Brandon Montour of the opposing Florida Panthers. [18] The Golden Knights defeated the Panthers in five games, and Whitecloud hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time. [19]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championship
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Finland

Whitecloud was the youngest skater selected to play for Team Canada at the 2017 Karjala Cup in Finland. [20] He was later named to Team Canada's pre-Olympic roster before the 2018 Winter Olympics [21] but failed to make the final roster.

Personal life

During the 2018 offseason, Whitecloud volunteered as a guest instructor at Micheal Ferland's Hockey School in Brandon, Manitoba, alongside Brigette Lacquette, Harley Garrioch, Jens Meilleur, Ryan Pulock, Tyler Plante, Shaq Merasty, Josh Elmes, and Joel Edmundson. [22]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2011–12Brandon Wheat Kings Midget MMHL 80004—————
2012–13Central Plains Capitals MidgetMMHL431569220000
2012–13 Portage Terriers MJHL 10000—————
2013–14Brandon Wheat Kings MidgetMMHL43813215980338
2013–14 Virden Oil Capitals MJHL1000061010
2014–15 Virden Oil CapitalsMJHL573710421013410
2015–16 Virden Oil CapitalsMJHL596344010572356
2016–17 Bemidji State University WCHA 413141741—————
2017–18 Bemidji State UniversityWCHA36415198—————
2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 10000—————
2018–19 Chicago Wolves AHL 746222852223121511
2019–20 Chicago WolvesAHL3525718—————
2019–20 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL160114202136
2020–21 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL5121012241913416
2021–22 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL598111920—————
2022–23 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL595712412226821
2023–24 Vegas Golden KnightsNHL61212143260002
NHL totals247174158121675101545

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 Canada WC Silver medal icon.svg102246
Senior totals102246

Awards and honours

AwardYear
College
WCHA All-Rookie Team 2016–17 [23]
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2023 [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alec Martinez</span> American ice hockey player (born 1987)

Alec Martinez is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, having won with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014 and with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. In 2014, he scored both the Western Conference Finals-winning goal and Stanley Cup Finals-winning goal, both in overtime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Reaves</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1987)

Ryan Reaves is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, and New York Rangers. He is the son of former gridiron football player, Willard Reaves, who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Holden</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1987)

Nick Holden is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Ottawa Senators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Hunt (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

Bradley Michael Hunt is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche. Hunt beginning his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Chicago Wolves, where he was an All-Star in the 2012–13 season. He is considered undersized for a defenseman, but has a hard slapshot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Schmidt</span> American ice hockey player (born 1991)

Nathan Thomas Schmidt is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shea Theodore</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Shea Theodore is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Theodore was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin Miller (ice hockey, born 1992)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Colin Miller is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played in the NHL for the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils. Miller was selected in the fifth round, 151st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Hutton (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1993)

Ben Hutton is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hutton was drafted 147th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegas Golden Knights</span> National Hockey League team in Paradise, Nevada

The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Golden Knights compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Founded in 2017 as an expansion team, the team is the first major sports franchise to represent Las Vegas. The franchise is primarily owned by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, a consortium led by Bill Foley, with Adrienne Maloof holding a minority stake. Their home games are played at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teddy Blueger</span> Latvian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Teodors Bļugers is a Latvian professional ice hockey centre for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 52nd overall in the 2012 NHL entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, making him the third-highest selected Latvian player in the NHL entry draft, behind Zemgus Girgensons and Sandis Ozoliņš.

The 2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights season was the inaugural season for the Vegas Golden Knights. They played their home games at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.

The 2018–19 Vegas Golden Knights season was the second season for the National Hockey League franchise that started playing in the 2017–18 season.

The 2019–20 Vegas Golden Knights season was the third season for the National Hockey League franchise that started playing in the 2017–18 season. They played their home games at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. They made the playoffs for the third straight season after losing in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs to the San Jose Sharks the year prior. On October 17, 2019, the NHL suspended Valentin Zykov for 20 regular season games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

The 2020–21 Vegas Golden Knights season was the fourth season for the National Hockey League franchise that started playing in the 2017–18 season. They played their home games at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. They made the playoffs for the fourth straight season after losing in the Conference Final to the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. On December 20, 2020, the league temporarily realigned into four divisions with no conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing closure of the Canada–United States border. As a result of this realignment, the Golden Knights played this season in the West Division and only played games against the other teams in their new division during the regular season, and potentially the first two rounds of the playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Thompson</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1997)

Logan Thompson is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). After playing junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Thompson went undrafted, and spent time in U Sports, the ECHL, and the American Hockey League (AHL) before signing his first NHL contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020. After two years spent primarily with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights, Thompson received significant playing time in the 2021–22 season due to injuries to other Vegas goaltenders, becoming the first former U Sports goaltender to start an NHL game in over 30 years. After taking over as Vegas' starting goaltender for the 2022–23 season, Thompson was named an NHL All-Star in 2023 and won the Stanley Cup with Vegas the same year, despite suffering injuries late in the season. Internationally, Thompson has represented Canada on one occasion, winning a silver medal at the 2022 edition of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship.

The 2021–22 Vegas Golden Knights season was the fifth season for the National Hockey League franchise that started playing in the 2017–18 season. Despite high expectations entering the season, the Golden Knights missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, as they were eliminated from playoff contention following a 4–3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on April 27, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brayden Pachal</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Brayden Pachal is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Vegas Golden Knights, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiří Patera (ice hockey)</span> Czech ice hockey player (born 1999)

Jiří Patera is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender for the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL), while under contract to the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played junior in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings, and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 2022–23 Vegas Golden Knights season was the sixth season for the National Hockey League franchise that started playing in the 2017–18 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2023 ice hockey championship series

The 2023 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2022–23 season and the culmination of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers four games to one in the best-of-seven series to earn their first championship in their sixth season. Vegas had home ice advantage in the series with the better regular season record.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Champion, Aidan (August 25, 2022). "Zach Whitecloud Speaks on His Indigenous Upbringing". VGK Today. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Willhite, Lindsey (May 7, 2019). "Whitecloud serves as role model for First Nations". Chicago Wolves. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  3. ↑ Wark, Robin (April 2, 2015). "Whitecloud honoured to be named one of the province's top aboriginal athletes". Westman Journal . Archived from the original on October 28, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018. Whitecloud played high school hockey at Vincent Massey, where he will graduate from in June.
  4. ↑ "WHITECLOUD HEADING TO BEMIDJI". Virden Oil Capitals . January 1, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  5. ↑ Laskaris, Sam (July 11, 2017). "NHL teams giving Zach Whitecloud a serious look". windspeaker.com. Aboriginal Multi-Media Society. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  6. ↑ "2017 LA Kings Development Camp Roster Announced". NHL.com . June 26, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Zach Whitecloud". bsubeavers.com. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Golden Knights Sign Free Agent Defenseman Zach Whitecloud". Vegas Golden Knights. March 8, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Zach Whitecloud". CapFriendly . Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  10. ↑ Carp, Steve (April 5, 2018). "Knights' rookie defenseman Zach Whitecloud makes NHL debut". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  11. ↑ Monteith, Austin (April 5, 2018). "MEN'S HOCKEY: Whitecloud suits up for Golden Knights in NHL debut". The Bemidji Pioneer . Retrieved April 18, 2018.(subscription required)
  12. ↑ "MEN'S HOCKEY: Whitecloud not on Vegas playoff roster". The Bemidji Pioneer . April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.(subscription required)
  13. ↑ Schoen, David (September 21, 2018). "Golden Knights place goaltender Oscar Dansk on waivers". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  14. ↑ Webster, Danny (January 11, 2021). "Nick Holden among 10 players Golden Knights placed on waivers". knightsonice.com. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  15. ↑ "VGK Sign Defenseman Zach Whitecloud To Two-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. March 22, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  16. ↑ "VGK Sign Defenseman Zach Whitecloud to Six-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. October 28, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Golden Knights' Zach Whitecloud ready to take on Jets in home province". CBC Sports . April 21, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  18. ↑ Passafiume, Alessia (June 5, 2023). "No matter who wins, the Stanley Cup will this year make its way to a First Nation in Canada". The Toronto Star . Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  19. ↑ Simes, Jeremy (June 14, 2023). "'Pride in the valley': Manitoba First Nation celebrates Zach Whitecloud's Stanley Cup win". CBC Sports . Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ Gearty, Alex (October 26, 2017). "Hockey Canada announces Karjala Cup roster". Sporting News . Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  21. ↑ "FORMER OIL CAPS BLUELINER ZACH WHITECLOUD NAMED TO CANADIAN PRE-OLYMPIC ROSTER". Virden Oil Capitals . October 27, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  22. ↑ "First ever Micheal Ferland Hockey School to be held in Brandon". bdnmb.ca. March 3, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Awards - NCAA (WCHA) Rookie All-Star Team". Elite Prospects. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ Brewer, Contessa (June 14, 2023). "Golden Knights' Stanley Cup win cements Las Vegas as a big-time sports city". CNBC. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.