Nicholas Paul Bio
Nicholas Paul is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). A left winger, he was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round, 101st overall, of the 2013 NHL entry draft. He has also played for the Ottawa Senators.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Paul was born on March 20, 1995, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, to parents Ellwood and Melinda. He holds dual citizenship between Canada and the United States due to his mother being an American citizen. Growing up, his father and half-brother Christopher built a backyard rink for Nicholas and his older brother Jesse to use for practice. As a youth, Nicholas Paul was friends with Max Domi and attended Toronto Maple Leafs games with him.
Path to Hockey
While growing up in Mississauga, Nicholas Paul played minor midget hockey for the Mississauga Chargers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). During his 2011–12 season with the Chargers, he scored three goals and two assists for five points. Despite standing at only 5-foot-6 during his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft eligibility year, Nicholas tallied four goals and 25 points in 37 games. He was later selected by the Brampton Battalion, as an overaged player. After his first season with the Battalion, where he scored 12 goals and 28 points, Nicholas was selected 101st overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2013 NHL entry draft.
Nicholas Paul Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Nicholas Paul signed with the Ottawa Senators and made his professional debut with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, in the 2014–15 season. He finished with six goals and 11 assists in 45 games with Binghamton. Paul was called up in February 2016 and made his NHL debut on February 16, 2016, against the Buffalo Sabres. He recorded his first career NHL goal on February 24, 2016, in a 4–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Breakthrough (2019–2022)
Nicholas Paul became a regular NHL player during the 2019–20 season, setting a new high in games played in the NHL with 56. After Erik Gudbranson was traded away by the Senators during the 2020–21 season, he was named an alternate captain. That season, Nicholas established himself as one of the team’s top penalty killers and was named the Senators’ nominee for the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy at the end of the season. During the 2021–22 season, he was used all over the lineup by coach D. J. Smith, slotting in wherever the coach needed a hole in the lineup filled. On March 20, 2022, just a day before the trade deadline, Nicholas was traded by Ottawa to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round draft pick. He scored his first goal as a Lightning on March 22 versus the Carolina Hurricanes.
Notable Works and Milestones
Nicholas Paul made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in the first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the seventh game of the series, he scored his first two playoff goals, including the series winner. He helped the Lightning advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for their third successive season, contributing with five goals and nine points through 23 games before losing to the Colorado Avalanche.
Nicholas Paul Award Nominations
Nicholas Paul has been recognized for his contributions on the ice, including being nominated for the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy during the 2020–21 season.
Nicholas Paul Awards Won
Nicholas Paul has achieved notable success in international play, including winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and scoring the overtime winner in the gold medal game at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
Nicholas Paul Family
Nicholas Paul was born to Ellwood and Melinda Paul. He has an older brother named Jesse and a half-brother named Christopher.
Personal Life
Nicholas Paul maintains a low profile regarding his personal life, focusing primarily on his professional career. He continues to reside in the Tampa Bay area as he plays for the Lightning.
