Nick Schmaltz

Nick Schmaltz
Name	Nick Schmaltz
Birth date	25 March 1996
Birth place	Madison, Wisconsin
Weight lb	183
Position	Center
Shoots	Right
League	NHL
Team	Arizona Coyotes
Former teams	Chicago Blackhawks
Draft	20th overall, 2014
Draft team	Chicago Blackhawks
Career start	2015

Nick Schmaltz is an American professional ice hockey center who has played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes. A first-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, he developed through the United States junior system, played NCAA hockey, and has represented the United States at international tournaments. Known for playmaking and faceoff skill, he has been a fixture in top-six forward roles and special teams situations.

Early life and junior career

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Schmaltz grew up in a family with strong ties to ice hockey and athletics, often attending games at Madison Ice Arena and following the University of Wisconsin–Madison program. He played youth hockey with local clubs before joining the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for national under-17 and under-18 competition. With the USNTDP he faced opponents from the Ontario Hockey League, United States Hockey League, and international junior squads at events such as the IIHF World U18 Championship and showcase tournaments against prospects from Sweden, Finland, and Czech Republic. His performance in the USNTDP season and at the IIHF World U18 Championship elevated him into top prospect conversations for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, where scouting comparisons included players from the Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Collegiate career

Schmaltz committed to the University of North Dakota to play NCAA Division I hockey under coach Dave Hakstol and later Brad Berry, joining a program with alumni who progressed to the NHL and international competition. During his freshman season he contributed offensively in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference against schools like University of Minnesota and University of Denver, recording points that drew attention from organisations such as the Chicago Blackhawks and scouts from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He left the collegiate ranks after part of one season to sign an entry-level contract and pursue a professional career, following a path similar to contemporaries who transitioned from the NCAA to the American Hockey League and National Hockey League.

Professional career

Drafted 20th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014, Schmaltz began his professional career with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League before establishing himself in the NHL. He made his NHL debut with Chicago, playing alongside veterans such as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, and participated in lineup matchups against teams including the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and Boston Bruins. Traded in a notable deal to the Arizona Coyotes in a multi-player transaction, he joined a rebuild featuring prospects from the Swedish Hockey League and veterans from the NHL; the move involved draft picks and roster considerations similar to past trades involving the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers. With Arizona he played on scoring lines and power play units, forming chemistry with teammates who had NCAA or international backgrounds and facing divisional opponents like the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. Throughout his NHL tenure he has recorded milestones such as first NHL goal, multi-point games, and playoff appearances, and has signed contract extensions reflecting his role as a middle-to-top-six forward.

International play

Schmaltz has represented the United States at multiple IIHF events, including the IIHF World U18 Championship and the IIHF World Junior Championship, wearing the USA jersey alongside teammates who have become NHL regulars. He contributed to Team USA efforts against rivals such as Canada, Russia, and Sweden, competing in round-robin games and medal rounds at world tournaments. His international experience extended to senior-level competitions and NHL international windows, participating in events that showcased talent pipelines from the United States National Team Development Program and collegiate systems feeding national rosters.

Playing style and strengths

As a center, Schmaltz is noted for playmaking, vision, and puck distribution, drawing stylistic comparisons to other creative forwards developed in the USNTDP and NCAA systems. He consistently creates scoring chances with tape-to-tape passes in zone entries and displays situational awareness on the power play and penalty kill, similar to NHL playmakers who excel in transition and set-piece play. His faceoff technique and defensive-zone coverage enable coaches to use him in critical situational deployments against top opposition lines from teams like Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. While not primarily an enforcer, he competes physically along the boards and in front of the net, and has worked on shot selection and release with development coaches formerly associated with USA Hockey and NHL development programs.

Personal life

Schmaltz comes from a hockey-oriented family; his brother played collegiate hockey and his relatives have ties to amateur and youth programs in Wisconsin. Off the ice he has been involved in community initiatives connected to NHL clubs, youth hockey clinics, and charitable programs that partner with organizations such as USA Hockey and municipal youth sports commissions. He has spent offseasons training in locations including Arizona, Minnesota, and Wisconsin with skating coaches and strength specialists who have worked with NHL and collegiate athletes. Schmaltz has interacted with media outlets covering the NHL, participated in team charity events, and maintained ties to his hometown through appearances and youth development involvement.

Category:1996 births Category:American ice hockey centres Category:Arizona Coyotes players Category:Chicago Blackhawks players Category:People from Madison, Wisconsin