Noel Hoefenmayer Bio
Noel Hoefenmayer is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who most recently played for the Augsburger Panther of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Born in North York, Ontario, he was selected 108th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Standing 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) and weighing 204 lb (93 kg), Hoefenmayer shoots left and has built his career around offensive contributions from the back end across junior, American Hockey League (AHL), and international circuits.
Across his professional career, Hoefenmayer has suited up for the Toronto Marlies, Bakersfield Condors, Laval Rocket, HC Sochi, and the Augsburger Panther. He has also represented Hockey Canada at both the under-17 and senior levels, winning gold at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and competing in the Spengler Cup in December 2024.
Early Life and Background
Noel Hoefenmayer was born on January 6, 1999, in North York, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, a region long associated with strong amateur hockey development in Canada. From an early age, he gravitated toward the defensive side of the game while also developing the offensive instincts that would later define his playing style.
Hoefenmayer played minor Midget for the Don Mills Flyers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) during the 2014–15 season, recording 10 goals and 23 assists in 62 games. He also competed for Team GTHL Blue in the 2014 GTHL Top Prospects Game and participated in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Gold Cup, where his team won the tournament. These early experiences helped him earn selection by the Ottawa 67’s, 36th overall, in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection draft.
Path to Hockey
Hoefenmayer’s path to professional hockey began in the OHL with the Ottawa 67’s, one of the league’s most established development programs. By January 2017, he had recorded eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points, earning a 38th overall midterm ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. His strong performance that year positioned him as one of the top-ranked defensemen in his draft class.
Although his final NHL draft ranking dropped to 75th among North American skaters, Hoefenmayer was still selected 108th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL entry draft. He also received the Ottawa 67’s Top Defenseman Award at the conclusion of his draft season. He continued refining his game with the 67’s strength and conditioning staff and skills coaches, a routine that would shape his preparation habits for years to come.
Noel Hoefenmayer Career
OHL Years with Ottawa 67’s (2015–2020)
Hoefenmayer spent his entire major junior career with the Ottawa 67’s, developing into one of the Ontario Hockey League’s most productive defensemen. In his draft year of 2016–17, he finished with 14 goals and 40 points in 62 games, demonstrating the offensive upside that had attracted NHL scouts.
His strongest OHL campaign came in his overage season of 2019–20, when he led all OHL defensemen with 26 goals and 82 points in just 58 games. His 56 assists and plus-52 rating ranked second league-wide among all players, and his play earned him the Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year. He was also named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Defenceman of the Year and selected to the 2019–20 OHL First All-Star Team.
Toronto Marlies Era (2020–2023)
On April 4, 2020, Hoefenmayer signed as a free agent with the Toronto Marlies, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played 18 AHL games with the Marlies before being reassigned to the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL for the remainder of the 2020–21 season, gaining valuable professional experience in his first year in the Maple Leafs organization. He was also named to the Maple Leafs’ 2021 Prospect Tournament roster.
On June 16, 2022, Hoefenmayer agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Marlies for the 2022–23 season. Across three seasons in Toronto’s system, he developed into a steady AHL contributor, although he never appeared in an NHL game for the organization.
Edmonton Oilers and Laval Rocket (2023–2025)
After three seasons with the Marlies, Hoefenmayer signed his first NHL deal, a one-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers in July 2023. The following offseason, the Oilers organization extended him for another year, signaling continued confidence in his development.
During the 2024–25 season, Hoefenmayer was traded by the Oilers to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Jacob Perreault on December 6, 2024. Shortly thereafter, he made his debut for the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, recording an assist in a 6–2 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders on December 15. Entering the offseason as a restricted free agent, he was not extended a qualifying offer by the Canadiens on June 30, 2025.
HC Sochi Era (2025–2026)
Following his time in North America, Hoefenmayer signed his first professional contract overseas, agreeing to a one-year deal with HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in 2025. He contributed 23 points through 50 appearances from the blueline during the 2025–26 season. With Sochi missing the Gagarin Cup playoffs, Hoefenmayer left the club at the conclusion of his contract.
Augsburger Panther Era (2026–Present)
On March 31, 2026, Hoefenmayer signed a one-year contract with German club Augsburger Panther of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). The move continued his international career in a top European league, where he has continued to provide offensive production from the defense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hoefenmayer is recognized as an offensively gifted defenseman with strong skating, puck-moving ability, and a heavy point shot. He excels in transition, joining the rush and creating plays from the blueline, and he has consistently produced high totals of goals and assists throughout his junior and professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Hoefenmayer captured a gold medal with Canada White at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and was named the CHL Defenceman of the Year in 2019–20. In December 2024, he represented Canada’s senior team at the Spengler Cup in Davos, recording a pair of points across three games as Canada won both group stage matches before falling to the Straubing Tigers in the semifinals.
Noel Hoefenmayer International Play
Hoefenmayer has represented Hockey Canada at multiple levels, beginning with Canada White at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he won a gold medal. Nearly a decade later, in December 2024, he was named to Canada’s senior roster for the Spengler Cup tournament held in Davos, Switzerland. He recorded a pair of points across three games as Canada won both group stage games before losing to the Straubing Tigers in the semifinals.
Noel Hoefenmayer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Noel Hoefenmayer’s immediate family and upbringing outside of his minor hockey development in the Greater Toronto Area is limited. He grew up in North York, Ontario, and rose through the Don Mills Flyers program of the GTHL, which is one of the most established amateur hockey pipelines in Canada.
Personal Life
Hoefenmayer focuses his public profile primarily on his hockey career and has kept most personal details private. Verified public information about his marital status, spouse, children, and residence is not available at this time.