Declan Chisholm Bio
Declan Chisholm (born January 12, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). A left-shooting blueliner, he was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2018 NHL entry draft and has since played for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Jets, the Minnesota Wild, and the Capitals.
Early Life and Background
Declan Chisholm was born on January 12, 2000, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, to Paul Chisholm and Erin Fagan. He grew up in a household with strong sporting ties, including a grandfather, Paddy Fagan, who was a lifelong hurling player in Ireland before he immigrated to Canada.
As a young child, Chisholm battled a staphylococcal infection in his knee that required surgery. After spending some time using a walker during his recovery, he joined a local youth ice hockey team, where coaches placed him on defence. That early assignment set the course for a career built around defensive play and on-ice vision.
Path to Hockey
Chisholm developed his game through minor hockey in Ontario before reaching the major-junior level. The Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) selected him in the second round, 24th overall, of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, signalling that he was viewed as a top-tier defensive prospect.
He spent four seasons with the Petes, refining his skating and puck-moving skills in one of Canada’s premier development leagues. During his final OHL season, Chisholm set career highs with 13 goals, 56 assists, and 69 points, the most by any Peterborough defenceman that year. Those numbers, combined with his play in all situations, helped convince the Winnipeg Jets to invest a fifth-round draft pick in him in 2018.
Declan Chisholm Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Chisholm signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets on June 1, 2020. He made his professional hockey debut on February 22, 2021, playing for the Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate, where he began adjusting to the pace and physicality of pro hockey.
His first NHL opportunity came quickly. With the Jets’ roster depleted by COVID-19 issues, Chisholm was called up and made his NHL debut on January 13, 2022, the day after his 22nd birthday. He had six goals and 14 points with Manitoba at the time of his call-up and was paired with Nate Schmidt in Winnipeg’s 3–0 shutout win over the Detroit Red Wings.
NHL Breakthrough (2022–2024)
After debuting with Winnipeg, Chisholm continued to shuttle between the Jets and the Manitoba Moose, working on his two-way game. His transition to the NHL included learning the defensive responsibilities required of a steady top-four defenceman and contributing on the power play when called upon.
During the 2023–24 season, however, Chisholm played just two games with the Jets and spent much of the year as a healthy scratch. On January 29, 2024, he was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Wild, opening a fresh chapter in his career and giving him a new opportunity to compete for steady NHL minutes.
Minnesota Wild Era (2024–2025)
With the Minnesota Wild, Chisholm took on a larger role and became a regular presence on the blueline. He continued to lean on his strengths in puck distribution and defensive-zone coverage while adjusting to a new system and new coaching staff.
His time in Minnesota also positioned him as a pending restricted free agent, which set the stage for a mid-summer trade. On June 28, 2025, at the 2025 NHL entry draft, the Wild traded Chisholm alongside a sixth-round pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenceman Chase Priskie and a fourth-round pick.
Washington Capitals Era (2025–Present)
The trade gave Chisholm another fresh start, this time with a Washington Capitals organization looking to add young, mobile defencemen. He joined a Washington roster aiming to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference while integrating emerging talent.
As a left-shooting defenceman listed at 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) and 185 lb (84 kg), Chisholm fits the modern profile of a transition defenceman who can move pucks and log penalty-kill minutes. His early work in Washington has focused on earning a steady role alongside an experienced blueline core.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chisholm is regarded as a mobile, puck-moving defenceman who reads the play well at both ends of the ice. His strengths include skating, passing out of the defensive zone, and the offensive instincts he refined during his record-setting Peterborough Petes season. He has shown he can contribute on the power play and remain reliable in his own end.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the early highlights of Chisholm’s career are his 2018 NHL draft selection by the Winnipeg Jets, his NHL debut on January 13, 2022, against the Detroit Red Wings, and his 2025 trade to the Washington Capitals. His 69-point Peterborough season stands as the offensive benchmark he has continued to chase at the professional level.
Declan Chisholm Career Wins
While individual win totals in hockey are credited to team results rather than players, Chisholm’s career has featured several milestone victories. His first NHL game was a 3–0 shutout win over the Detroit Red Wings on January 13, 2022, while his transition through waivers and trades reflects steady organizational confidence in his game.
NHL Highlights
Chisholm debuted with the Jets and later established himself with the Minnesota Wild before joining the Washington Capitals. Across his time in the NHL, he has logged games at both even strength and on special teams, contributing to wins in each of his three NHL stops.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the NHL, Chisholm was a standout with the Peterborough Petes, helping the club compete in the OHL over four seasons. His strong playoff-caliber performances in junior preceded his professional success with the Manitoba Moose and his eventual rise to a full-time NHL role.
Declan Chisholm Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Declan Chisholm comes from a tight-knit family with deep sporting roots. His father is Paul Chisholm, and his mother is Erin Fagan. On his mother’s side, his grandfather, Paddy Fagan, was a lifelong hurling player in Ireland before he immigrated to Canada, giving Chisholm a clear athletic lineage.
Personal Life
Chisholm grew up in Bowmanville, Ontario, where his early recovery from a knee infection led him toward youth hockey. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, or children have not been widely reported, and he keeps much of his life outside hockey private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a major transition point for Chisholm. He began the year finishing his time with the Minnesota Wild, where he had been working into a regular role after being claimed off waivers from the Jets in January 2024.
On June 28, 2025, at the 2025 NHL entry draft, Chisholm was traded to the Washington Capitals as part of a deal that sent him and a sixth-round pick to Washington in exchange for Chase Priskie and a fourth-round pick. The move positioned him for a fresh start with a new organization heading into the 2025–26 NHL season.
As he settles in with the Capitals, Chisholm is expected to compete for a steady spot on the left side of the defence while contributing on special teams. With his skating and puck-moving ability, his outlook in Washington depends on carving out a consistent role alongside an experienced defensive group.
