Cale Fleury Bio
Cale Fleury is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenceman for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on November 19, 1998, in Carlyle, Saskatchewan, he skated in the Western Hockey League before turning professional in 2018 with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL). Selected 87th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Fleury made his NHL debut in 2019 and later joined the Kraken through the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. He continues to contribute on the blue line for Seattle and its AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Early Life and Background
Cale Fleury was born on November 19, 1998, in the small community of Carlyle, Saskatchewan, to parents John and Sandra. The town carries a deep hockey tradition, with both sets of Fleury’s grandparents and uncles having played in Carlyle’s Big Six Hockey League. That local heritage helped shape his early path to the rink. Fleury and his older brother, Haydn, grew up playing minor hockey together in Carlyle until the family moved to Calgary in 2002.
The Calgary years allowed the Fleury brothers to face stronger competition and refine their games. Haydn, the older sibling, became a high-profile prospect and was selected seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, an event that helped inspire Cale’s own development. Surrounded by a hockey-driven family and a competitive minor hockey scene, Cale built a steady foundation that would later catch the eye of major junior scouts.
Path to Professional Hockey
Fleury entered the major junior ranks when the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL) selected him in the fourth round, 78th overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. He debuted with the Ice during the 2014–15 season, recording one goal and 13 points across 70 games, and was named alternate captain on January 12, 2016. During the 2015–16 campaign, he tallied eight goals and 17 assists in 61 games while growing into a leadership role.
On January 17, 2017, Fleury was named captain of the Kootenay Ice after alternate captains Zak Zborosky and Matt Alfaro were traded. He was also invited to the 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game with Team Cherry, finishing the season with 11 goals and 27 assists in 70 games. His strong play pushed him to 62nd among North American skaters in the NHL Bureau of Central Scouting’s final rankings, setting the stage for the NHL Draft.
Cale Fleury Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Following his draft selection by the Montreal Canadiens, Fleury reported to the team’s 2018 training camp and signed a three-year entry-level contract on October 4, 2018. He immediately joined the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, where he earned a spot on the opening night roster. In 60 games during the 2018–19 AHL season, he produced nine goals and 14 assists, showcasing two-way poise and a strong transition game.
His steady play in the AHL earned him a chance at the NHL level the following fall. On October 1, 2019, Fleury was announced as part of the Canadiens’ opening night roster for the 2019–20 season, and he made his league debut two days later against the Carolina Hurricanes, the same team his brother Haydn was playing for. He later scored his first NHL goal on November 16, 2019, in a 4–3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2019–2021)
Fleury appeared in 41 games with the Canadiens during the 2019–20 season, with his lone goal serving as his only point. He was reassigned to the Laval Rocket on January 21, 2020, and added two goals and three assists in 14 AHL games. During the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, he spent most of his time with Laval after stints on the Canadiens’ taxi squad, finishing with six assists in 22 AHL games.
When Montreal left Fleury unprotected, the Seattle Kraken selected him in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft on July 21, reuniting him with brother Haydn. The selection marked the first time brothers were picked by the same franchise in the same expansion draft. Seattle signed Fleury to a one-year, entry-level contract on August 13, 2021, and assigned him to the Charlotte Checkers, the Kraken’s AHL affiliate at the time, where he was named an assistant captain.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021–Present)
After 36 games with Charlotte, Fleury was recalled to the Kraken’s taxi squad on January 24, 2022, and made his Seattle debut on February 1 against the Boston Bruins while paired with Haydn. He split time between the NHL and AHL throughout the spring, finishing with seven goals and 26 assists in 58 AHL games and adding three assists during the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs. In the 2022–23 season, Fleury played 12 games for the Kraken and recorded one assist.
On July 9, 2023, he signed a two-year, US$1.6 million contract extension with Seattle and was named to the opening roster of the new AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Over 65 games that season, he posted 10 goals and 29 assists, then added five goals and nine assists across 18 Calder Cup Playoff games as the Firebirds reached the Calder Cup Final. Fleury opened the 2024–25 AHL campaign with his first professional hat trick in a 6–5 win over the San Diego Gulls on October 18, 2024, and was named to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic on January 8 before being recalled by the Kraken on January 30. He finished the year with seven goals and 19 assists in 39 AHL games and one assist in 14 NHL appearances, then signed a two-year extension with Seattle on June 20 worth US$890,000 annually.
Playing Style and Strengths
Fleury is a mobile, two-way defenceman whose skating and passing allow him to join the rush and quarterback the power play. He reads plays well in his own end, uses an active stick to break up cycles, and thrives when moving the puck up the ice quickly. Coaches have leaned on his composure and steady decision-making in all situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Fleury’s first NHL goal came on November 16, 2019, against the New Jersey Devils, and his first professional hat trick arrived on October 18, 2024, against the San Diego Gulls. He helped the Coachella Valley Firebirds reach the 2024 Calder Cup Final, and his 2021 selection by Seattle made history as the first time brothers were taken by the same team in an expansion draft.
Cale Fleury Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Fleury family. Cale’s parents, John and Sandra, raised their sons in Carlyle, where several family members played in the Big Six Hockey League. Older brother Haydn Fleury became a top NHL defenceman, going seventh overall to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014 and later joining Seattle in the same 2021 expansion draft that brought Cale to the Kraken. The brothers remain closely tied through their shared professional journey.
Personal Life
Fleury keeps most of his personal life out of the public eye and is not publicly known to be married. He has built his career around family, frequently citing his brother Haydn and parents John and Sandra as key influences on his path to the NHL. Off the ice, he has been based in the Pacific Northwest since joining Seattle’s organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been eventful for Fleury, beginning with his first professional hat trick against the San Diego Gulls on October 18, 2024. He was selected for the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic but was recalled by the Kraken on January 30, 2025, and was replaced on the AHL roster by teammate Jani Nyman. With the Firebirds, he finished the 2024–25 regular season with seven goals and 19 assists in 39 games.
After spending most of the year in the AHL, Fleury earned 14 NHL appearances with the Kraken in 2024–25, posting one assist while logging a steady defensive role. The Firebirds’ deep playoff run carried into spring before he signed a two-year extension with Seattle on June 20, locking in his future with the organization through 2027. Heading into 2025–26, he remains in the mix for regular NHL duty while serving as veteran insurance on the blue line.