Travis Dermott Bio
Travis Dermott is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman born on December 22, 1996, in Newmarket, Ontario. He began his professional career in 2016 and has since become recognized for his two-way play, penalty-kill contributions, and steady development across multiple National Hockey League organizations. Over the course of his career, Dermott has suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, and Minnesota Wild, while also spending time with affiliates in the American Hockey League.
Selected 34th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Dermott has built a reputation as a reliable depth defenceman capable of logging top-four minutes when called upon. As of the most recent updates, he is currently on a professional tryout with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL and is working to resume his playing career following left shoulder surgery in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Travis Dermott was born on December 22, 1996, in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, to parents Jim and Paula Dermott. He grew up with an older sister in a supportive household that fostered his early interest in athletics. His mother, a retired figure skater, introduced him to skating before the age of four and later enrolled him in Timbits hockey, setting the foundation for his lifelong connection to the sport.
By the age of seven, Dermott had graduated to the Super 7 Tyke Team in Newmarket, where his father Jim served as his coach. Growing up, he cheered for the Chicago Blackhawks and admired defenceman Duncan Keith, a player whose style would later influence his own approach on the blue line. Outside of hockey, Dermott played youth lacrosse alongside his future Erie Otters teammate Connor McDavid, showcasing his versatility as a multi-sport athlete during his formative years.
Path to Hockey
Dermott began his youth hockey journey with the Minor Midget AAA York Simcoe Express, where he helped the program capture five OMHA championships and an OHF peewee title. During the 2010–11 season, he suffered two broken collarbones that limited him to just 19 games, an early test of his resilience. Despite the injury setbacks, scouts recognized his potential and offered him a tryout with an East Coast select spring hockey team, which led to his signing with the Newmarket Hurricanes of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
After being named to the OJHL’s Second Team All-Stars and earning Fan Favourite honours, Dermott committed to the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League on May 4, 2013. In his first season with the Otters, he tallied 28 points in 67 games and was recognized on the 2013–14 OHL First All-Rookie Team. He continued to elevate his game, posting 45 points in 61 games the following season, including a franchise-record seven-game assist streak for a defenceman, which helped push him into NHL draft discussions.
Travis Dermott Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Following his strong junior campaign, Dermott was selected 34th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on July 22, 2015. He returned to the Erie Otters for his final major-junior season, where he and teammate Dylan Strome were chosen to represent Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. After the tournament, Dermott rejoined the Toronto Marlies for the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs, making his professional post-season debut as a replacement for Stuart Percy.
Dermott’s development continued with the Marlies during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons, where he played on a defensive pairing with Timothy Liljegren and assumed significant penalty-kill responsibilities. Although he was a left-handed shot, he was moved to the right side to maximize his versatility. His AHL debut on October 16, 2016, included his first career goal and assist in a victory over the Utica Comets, and his steady play earned him a selection to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2018–2022)
Dermott received his first NHL recall on January 5, 2018, and quickly made an impact, recording an assist in his first two games. He scored his first NHL goal on January 31, 2018, in a 5–0 win over the New York Islanders, and went on to appear in 37 regular-season games during his rookie year. In the 2018 playoffs, he notched his first post-season goal during Game 7 against the Boston Bruins, briefly tying the contest at 3–3 before Toronto ultimately fell 7–4. After the Leafs were eliminated, Dermott rejoined the Marlies and helped them capture their first Calder Cup in franchise history.
As the youngest defenceman on the Maple Leafs roster in 2018–19, Dermott was paired with veteran Ron Hainsey and was being groomed for a top-four role alongside Morgan Rielly. He faced adversity that season, including a shoulder injury in February 2019 that required offseason surgery. Upon his return in 2019–20, he thrived under head coach Sheldon Keefe, averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time per game alongside Justin Holl and helping Toronto outscore opponents 4–1 in their shared minutes. He later signed a one-year extension in October 2020 and a two-year, $3 million extension in July 2021, though his role gradually diminished as Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren surpassed him on the depth chart.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2022–2023)
On March 20, 2022, one day before the NHL trade deadline, Dermott was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2022 third-round draft pick. He appeared in 18 games to close out the season, providing left-shot depth on the blue line. His tenure with the Canucks was hampered by injuries, beginning with a concussion sustained during a September 27, 2022 practice that kept him out of the lineup until December 29. He managed only 11 games before another injury placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the year.
At the end of the 2022–23 season, Dermott was a restricted free agent, but the Canucks declined to issue him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. The injury-plagued stretch limited his ability to establish himself in Vancouver, but he remained an experienced NHL defenceman entering the next phase of his career.
Arizona Coyotes Era (2023–2024)
On July 11, 2023, Dermott signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes for the 2023–24 season, carrying an NHL salary of $800,000 and an AHL salary of $450,000. Shortly into his Coyotes tenure, he drew league-wide attention during the team’s October 21 home opener when he became the first NHL player to publicly defy the league’s new ban on Pride-themed hockey tape, a stance that ultimately contributed to the policy being rescinded. Dermott had been using Pride tape regularly since his AHL days and continued to support inclusion efforts in the sport.
Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild Era (2024–2025)
After an unsigned summer in 2024, Dermott accepted a professional tryout invitation to the Edmonton Oilers training camp on September 14, 2024. His strong showing earned him a one-year, two-way contract, but as a depth defenceman he went scoreless in 10 appearances before being placed on waivers and claimed by the Minnesota Wild on December 13, 2024. The Oilers later reclaimed him on February 26, 2025, and assigned him to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. He underwent left shoulder surgery on July 23, 2025, and was working toward a return when he signed a professional tryout with the Hartford Wolf Pack on February 7, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dermott is recognized for his two-way reliability, smooth skating, and ability to contribute on the penalty kill. He is a left-handed shot who has been deployed on the right side of defensive pairings, a testament to his adaptability. Throughout his career, he has been praised for his transitional play, puck-moving instincts, and willingness to take on difficult matchups against top opposition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Dermott’s career are his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders, his Calder Cup championship with the Toronto Marlies, and his courageous stand supporting Pride tape in 2023. He earned the nickname “Skin Doctor” from his Toronto teammates, a play on his last name. These milestones reflect a player who has consistently combined on-ice production with off-ice character.
Travis Dermott Career Wins
Travis Dermott’s career is highlighted by a Calder Cup championship with the Toronto Marlies in 2018, his first NHL goal with the Maple Leafs, and a series of key playoff contributions across multiple organizations. His junior accolades include the 2013–14 OHL First All-Rookie Team selection with the Erie Otters.
Junior and Professional Highlights
During his time with the Erie Otters, Dermott helped lead the team to deep playoff runs while developing into one of the OHL’s top defencemen. His professional breakthrough came in 2018 when he helped the Toronto Marlies capture their first Calder Cup, defeating the Texas Stars in seven games. Since then, he has continued to log NHL games with four different franchises, contributing reliable minutes in regular-season and playoff situations.
Travis Dermott Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Travis Dermott was raised by his parents, Jim and Paula Dermott, in Newmarket, Ontario. His mother, a retired figure skater, played a central role in introducing him to skating and hockey, while his father Jim coached his earliest competitive teams. He also grew up with an older sister who supported his athletic development.
Personal Life
Dermott is married to Katerina Di Lucia, and the couple has two children, a daughter named Rosa and a son named James. He and his dog Niylah have appeared in advertisements and serve as ambassadors for Nulo pet food, and he has also signed a multi-year partnership with Levelwear Pro-Sports. The nickname “Skin Doctor,” coined by his Toronto teammates, has followed him throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was defined by recovery and a determined return to professional hockey for Travis Dermott. Following left shoulder surgery on July 23, 2025, he spent the early part of the year rehabilitating while remaining under contract with the Edmonton Oilers organization. As the season progressed, he continued to work toward resuming game action at the NHL or top AHL level.
In late 2025, reports indicated that Dermott was nearing a return to competitive play. His experience, defensive reliability, and penalty-kill expertise made him an attractive option for organizations seeking veteran blue-line depth. His ongoing partnership with the Bakersfield Condors provided a pathway back to the NHL.
Looking ahead, Dermott signed a professional tryout with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL on February 7, 2026, signaling his commitment to continuing his career. With his surgical recovery progressing well, he remains focused on contributing to a team in need of experienced defensive help and rebuilding his path back to the National Hockey League.
