Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki Bio
Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as the centre and captain for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 10, 1999, in London, Ontario, Suzuki was selected in the first round, 13th overall, by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL draft. He has gained recognition for his skilled play, earning him the nickname ‘Slick Nick’. Since making his debut in the 2019–20 season, Suzuki has become an integral part of the Canadiens, displaying his leadership qualities and progressing into a key player.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Suzuki was born to parents Rob and Amanda in London, Ontario. As a child, he faced several health challenges, including hand, foot, and mouth disease, pneumonia, and recurrent ear infections, which required surgery. His health improved over time, and he began ice skating at the age of three. Suzuki developed a passion for sports early on, playing ice hockey, golf, and soccer with his neighbor Isaac Ratcliffe. Together, they played minor ice hockey for the London Jr. Knights, where Suzuki’s talent shone through as he led his team to the semifinals of the annual OHL Cup. In the 2014–15 season, he was named the ALLIANCE Hockey Player of the Year after leading the league with 34 goals and 68 points in just 31 games.
Path to Hockey
Suzuki was selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 2015 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) priority selection draft by the Owen Sound Attack. He made an immediate impact, scoring two goals and an assist in his first three games during the 2015–16 season. His first major junior goal came against the Kitchener Rangers, and he quickly became a standout player, registering his first OHL hat trick in January 2016. By the end of his rookie season, Suzuki had scored 20 goals, making him the first Attack rookie to achieve this milestone since 2008. His impressive performance earned him a spot on the OHL First All-Rookie Team. In the following seasons, Suzuki continued to excel, being named a Player to Watch by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and finishing his second OHL season with 45 goals and 96 points. He was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL draft, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
After impressing during training camp, Suzuki made the Canadiens’ opening-night roster for the 2019–20 season. He made his NHL debut on October 3, 2019, against the Carolina Hurricanes. Suzuki quickly made his mark, earning his first NHL point with an assist just five days later and scoring his first NHL goal in his seventh game against the Minnesota Wild. By midseason, he had established himself as a key player, finishing the season with 13 goals and 41 points in 71 games. His performance earned him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team at the end of the season.
Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The 2020–21 season marked a significant turning point for Suzuki. He began the season on a strong note, contributing to the Canadiens’ playoff run. Suzuki played a crucial role in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring the overtime winner in Game 5. The Canadiens advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in nearly a decade, where Suzuki finished the postseason with seven goals and 16 points in 22 games. His performance solidified his status as one of the team’s leading players.
Notable Works and Milestones
Suzuki’s signature work includes his leadership role as captain of the Montreal Canadiens and his contributions during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. He has received recognition for his skill and sportsmanship, including being named the Canadiens’ Molson Cup recipient multiple times.
Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nicholas Suzuki has received several nominations for his outstanding performances and contributions to the sport.
Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki Awards Won
Nicholas Suzuki has won multiple awards, including the Molson Cup as the best player for the Montreal Canadiens and the William Hanley Trophy for sportsmanship.
Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki Family
Nicholas Suzuki is engaged to Caitlin Fitzgerald. The couple announced their engagement in April 2024 and eloped in a private ceremony in Turks and Caicos a year later.
Personal Life
Suzuki has a younger brother, Ryan, who also plays professional hockey and was selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL draft. Of Japanese Canadian heritage, Suzuki is one-quarter Japanese and aims to be a role model for younger Asian hockey players. He has expressed his commitment to learning French to connect better with the Montreal fanbase, and he has been taking online classes to improve his language skills.
