Nate Schmidt
Nathan Thomas Schmidt (born July 16, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks. As an undrafted player, Schmidt signed with the Capitals in 2013 after playing for the University of Minnesota. He was claimed by the expansion Golden Knights in 2017, and was part of the upstart inaugural season of the Golden Knights that saw them become the first NHL expansion team to qualify for the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season against  his former team, the Capitals. Playing career. Amateur. While a member of St. Cloud Cathedral of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), Schmidt was selected first overall by the Fargo Force in the 2007 United States Hockey League Futures Draft. His lone year with the Force came during the 2009–10 season, where he recorded 14 goals and 37 points in 57 games. Schmidt played college hockey with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the NCAA Men's Division I WCHA conference. In his junior year, Schmidt's play was rewarded with a selection to the 2012–13 All-WCHA First Team . Professional. Washington Capitals. On April 2, 2013, as an undrafted player, Schmidt signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals. Schmidt played the final eight games of the 2012–13 regular season and five postseason games with the Capitals' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears. Schmidt started the 2013–14 season with the Bears but was called up to the Capitals after just one game. He made his NHL debut on October 12, 2013, against the Colorado Avalanche. He scored his first NHL goal on December 7, 2013 against Marek Mazanec of the Nashville Predators. Schmidt was  reassigned to Hershey on December 15, 2013. Vegas Golden Knights. After four seasons with the Capitals, Schmidt was left exposed by the club in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. He was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights on June 21, 2017. After going to an arbitrator in August, Schmidt signed a two-year, $4.45 million contract with the Golden Knights. During his first season with the team, Schmidt found success, putting up career high numbers in points and leading the Golden Knights in average playing time. He helped lead the Golden Knights to the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs in  their inaugural season, only to lose in the finals to his former team. Prior to the 2018–19 season, Schmidt was suspended 20 games for violating the NHL's performance-enhancing drug use policy. He appealed his suspension, but the arbitrator upheld it. On October 25, while serving his suspension, the Golden Knights signed Schmidt to a six-year, $35.8 million extension. Vancouver Canucks. On October 12, 2020, Schmidt was traded by the Vegas Golden Knights to the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He stated his unhappiness following the trade, citing a  lack of communication with Vegas management and calling it "a tough pill to swallow". Winnipeg Jets. On July 27, 2021, Schmidt was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a third-round pick in 2022. Personal life. Schmidt was born to Tom and Joann Schmidt, and grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota with two siblings. Growing up, Schmidt also played football and baseball, before deciding to stick with hockey.