Devon Toews Bio
Devon Toews, born on February 21, 1994, is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed “Tazer” by teammates and fans, Toews has built his reputation as a reliable two-way defenceman with strong skating, sharp passing, and calm play under pressure. He was drafted 108th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and lifted the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 191 pounds, Toews shoots left and is widely regarded as one of the steadier blueliners of his generation. His path from a small-town British Columbia rink to NHL stardom reflects years of steady development, academic commitment at Quinnipiac University, and perseverance through injuries.
Early Life and Background
Devon Toews was born on February 21, 1994, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, to parents Werner and Tammy Toews. He grew up alongside his brother Nolan in the same Fraser Valley community. His parents were passionate baseball fans and chose their sons’ names in tribute to professional players, naming Devon after Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Devon White and Nolan after Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan.
Toews began playing youth hockey at the Yale Hockey Academy at the age of six, and he later suited up for the Abbotsford Hawks Bantam A1 Hawks, helping the team capture the British Columbia bantam Tier 1 title. Because of his small frame at the time, standing only 5 feet 2 inches, he was initially passed over by scouts from the major junior Western Hockey League.
He joined the major-midget Fraser Valley Bruins, where he and teammate Mackenzie Skapski were injured in a team bus accident on December 11, 2009. Toews recovered, experienced a growth spurt, and finished the 2010-11 season as the top-scoring defenceman in the BC Hockey Major Midget League, which earned him a spot with the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League.
Path to Hockey
Toews spent two seasons with the Surrey Eagles, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most promising young defencemen. In his first year, he was named to the 2011-12 BCHL All-Rookie Team and received a full hockey scholarship offer from Quinnipiac University. He returned for a second season and was a driving force behind the Eagles’ 2013 BCHL Championship and Western Canada Cup victory, earning MVP honours and a place on the all-tournament team.
On November 1, 2012, Toews represented Team Canada West at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, winning a silver medal. The following spring, he was recognized as the top defenceman of the Royal Bank Cup’s preliminary round, even though his team fell in the semi-finals.
After being skipped over twice in previous NHL Entry Drafts as an 18- and 19-year-old, Toews finally heard his name called when the New York Islanders selected him 108th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He continued his development at Quinnipiac University, where he majored in accounting and was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team.
Devon Toews Career
Early Career (2016-2018)
On April 15, 2016, Devon Toews signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders and joined their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Although he had ended his collegiate career, he continued taking classes at Quinnipiac and graduated in May 2017.
His rookie AHL season was outstanding. Toews tied for the lead among all rookie defencemen in points and set a new team record for assists by a rookie defenceman with 40, earning a selection to the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic, where he won the Fastest Skater competition. A shoulder injury in December 2017 cut his second AHL campaign short, but the Islanders still rewarded him with a two-year contract extension in July 2018.
New York Islanders Breakthrough (2018-2020)
Toews made his NHL debut on December 23, 2018, against the Dallas Stars, paired with Luca Sbisa, wearing jersey number 25. Just eleven days later, on January 3, 2019, he scored his first NHL point and first NHL goal, the overtime game-winner, in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The goal made him only the 18th player in the modern era to score his first NHL goal in overtime.
During the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, Toews helped the Islanders sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and recorded his first career playoff goal on May 1, 2019, against the Carolina Hurricanes, becoming just the third Islanders rookie defenceman in 25 years to find the back of the net in a postseason game.
As a restricted free agent, Toews became the subject of trade discussions due to the Islanders’ salary cap limitations. On October 12, 2020, New York sent him to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for second-round draft picks in 2021 and 2022.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2020-Present)
On October 27, 2020, Toews signed a four-year, $16.4 million contract with the Avalanche and immediately became a top-pairing defenceman. He was paired primarily with Cale Makar and led the team in average ice time during both the regular season and the playoffs. On June 26, 2022, he won the Stanley Cup with Colorado, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Following his championship run, Toews continued to anchor the Avalanche blueline with steady defensive play and smooth puck movement. On October 13, 2023, he signed a seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension with the club, keeping him in Colorado through the 2030 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Toews is widely praised for his calm decision-making, efficient skating, and accurate breakout passes. He excels at transitioning the puck from defence to offence and is comfortable logging heavy minutes against opponents’ top lines. His long-term partnership with Cale Makar has become one of the most productive defenceman pairings in the NHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Toews’ career include his overtime debut goal with the Islanders, his first Stanley Cup championship in 2022 with the Avalanche, and his selection to Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics on December 31, 2025. He has also earned AHL All-Rookie and BCHL All-Rookie honours earlier in his development.
Devon Toews Career Wins
Devon Toews has collected an impressive collection of team championships and individual honours across junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. His biggest victory came on June 26, 2022, when the Colorado Avalanche captured the Stanley Cup.
NHL and Playoff Highlights
Toews won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 after leading the team in average ice time throughout the playoffs. Earlier, he helped the New York Islanders reach the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs and scored his first career postseason goal against the Carolina Hurricanes. His first NHL win came on January 3, 2019, in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Other Wins and Performances
Before turning professional, Toews helped the Surrey Eagles capture the 2013 BCHL Championship and the Western Canada Cup, where he was named MVP. At Quinnipiac, he led the Bobcats to the 2016 NCAA National Championship game and earned All-ECAC Hockey Second Team recognition in his final collegiate season.
Devon Toews Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Devon Toews was raised in Abbotsford, British Columbia, by parents Werner and Tammy Toews, alongside his brother Nolan. Although he shares a last name with former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, the two are not related.
Personal Life
Devon Toews and his wife Kerry became engaged in 2018 and married in October 2020. The couple has four children. At their wedding, in lieu of traditional favours, they made a donation to Hockey Fights Cancer in memory of Demetra Anas, the mother of Toews’ Quinnipiac teammate Sam Anas.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Devon Toews continued to play a leading role on the Colorado Avalanche blueline, logging top-four minutes and contributing steady offence from the back end. Under his long-term contract signed in 2023, he remained a stabilizing veteran presence for a contending Avalanche roster aiming to return to the Stanley Cup Final.
On December 31, 2025, Toews was named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking one of the highest honours of his professional career. His selection highlighted his continued status among the league’s most trusted defencemen and added a major international milestone to his already decorated resume.
Looking ahead through the rest of 2025, Toews remained focused on helping Colorado compete in the Western Conference playoff picture while preparing for his Olympic appearance. His combination of experience, skating, and defensive reliability ensures he will remain a central figure for both the Avalanche and Team Canada.
