Devon Toews Bio
Devon Toews (born February 21, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed “Tazer,” Toews was drafted 108th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2014 NHL entry draft. He has won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022, establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable two-way defencemen. Toews is widely respected for his smooth skating, intelligent puck movement, and steady play in all situations.
Early Life and Background
Devon Toews was born on February 21, 1994, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, to parents Werner and Tammy Toews. He grew up alongside his brother, Nolan, in a household where his parents were devoted baseball fans. The family chose distinctive names for their sons, drawing inspiration from Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Devon White and Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan.
Toews began playing youth hockey at the Yale Hockey Academy at the age of six, where he quickly developed a passion for the game. He later joined the Abbotsford Hawks Bantam A1 team, helping them capture the B.C. Bantam Tier 1 title before finishing second at the Western Canadians. Despite his early promise, his short stature at the time, standing just 5’2″, caused him to be initially overlooked by Western Hockey League scouts as he transitioned out of bantam hockey.
Toews continued his development with the Fraser Valley Bruins of the major-midget program. After surviving a serious team bus accident on December 11, 2009, he returned to action and experienced a significant growth spurt. During the 2010–11 season, he led all BC Hockey Major Midget League defencemen with 37 points in 39 games, which earned him a roster spot with the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League.
Path to Hockey
Toews played two seasons with the Surrey Eagles in the BCHL, where his steady progression drew the attention of NCAA programs. In his first season, he was named to the 2011–12 BCHL All-Rookie Team and was offered a full hockey scholarship to attend Quinnipiac University. Rather than leave immediately, he returned for the 2012–13 season and experienced a breakthrough year.
That season, Toews helped the Eagles win the 2013 BCHL Championship and the Western Canada Cup in Nanaimo, earning MVP honors and a spot on the all-tournament team. He also represented Team Canada West at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, winning a silver medal, and was named to the BCHL First All-Star Team. He then enrolled at Quinnipiac University, where he majored in accounting and quickly became a key contributor for the Bobcats.
Devon Toews Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Toews began his freshman year at Quinnipiac University during the 2013–14 season, appearing in 37 games and totaling 17 points. He recorded his first collegiate goal on November 27, 2013, in a 3–3 tie with Providence and was later named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team after posting a 3.46 GPA. Despite being skipped over twice in previous NHL drafts, he was selected 108th overall by the New York Islanders at the 2014 NHL entry draft.
Toews returned to Quinnipiac for his sophomore and junior seasons, helping lead the Bobcats to multiple NCAA Tournaments. In his final collegiate season, he set career highs in goals, assists, and points while earning All-ECAC Hockey Second Team honors. He was also named a New England Second Team All-Star and finished as a finalist for the ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman award.
New York Islanders Era (2016–2020)
On April 15, 2016, Toews signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders, though he continued taking classes at Quinnipiac and graduated in May 2017. He spent most of his first professional season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League, tying for the lead among rookie AHL defencemen in points and setting a team record with 40 assists. His strong play earned him a selection to the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic, where he won the Fastest Skater competition.
Toews made his NHL debut on December 23, 2018, against the Dallas Stars, pairing with Luca Sbisa. He recorded his first NHL point on January 3, 2019, scoring the game-winning goal in a 3–2 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the 18th player in the modern era to score his first NHL goal in overtime. He also recorded his first playoff goal on May 1, 2019, becoming the third Islanders rookie defenceman in 25 years to score a postseason goal.
Following the 2019–20 season, Toews was traded by the Islanders to the Colorado Avalanche on October 12, 2020, in exchange for 2021 and 2022 second-round draft picks due to salary cap constraints. He was then signed to a four-year, $16.4 million contract with Colorado on October 27, 2020.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2020–Present)
In his first season with the Avalanche, Toews primarily played alongside Cale Makar and led the team in ice-time per game during both the regular season and playoffs. His poise and puck-moving ability quickly made him a cornerstone of Colorado’s blue line. On June 26, 2022, Toews won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, his first championship at any level.
Following that championship run, Toews continued to anchor the Avalanche defense and was rewarded with a new contract. On October 13, 2023, he signed a seven-year, $50.75 million extension with the club, carrying an average annual value of $7.25 million and keeping him in Colorado through the end of the 2029–30 season. He remains a central figure in the team’s pursuit of additional titles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Toews is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s most efficient two-way defencemen, combining smooth skating with high-level offensive hockey sense. He excels at breaking out pucks cleanly, quarterbacking the power play, and matching up against opponents’ top forwards. His partnership with Cale Makar has formed one of the league’s most dynamic defensive pairings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Toews’ most significant milestone came on June 26, 2022, when he lifted the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. He also earned recognition at the junior level, winning MVP of the 2013 Western Canada Cup and the Fastest Skater competition at the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic.
Devon Toews Career Wins
Devon Toews’ trophy case is anchored by the Stanley Cup championship he won with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Beyond that signature title, he collected several notable victories and honors during his developmental years, including the 2013 BCHL Championship and the Western Canada Cup.
NHL Highlights
Toews has played multiple NHL seasons with both the New York Islanders and the Colorado Avalanche. His first NHL win came on January 3, 2019, when he scored the overtime game-winner against the Chicago Blackhawks. His crowning achievement to date is the 2022 Stanley Cup championship with the Avalanche.
Other Wins & Performances
Before turning professional, Toews captured the B.C. Bantam Tier 1 title with the Abbotsford Hawks and the 2013 BCHL Championship with the Surrey Eagles. He also represented Team Canada West at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, earning a silver medal, and was named to the BCHL First All-Star Team.
Devon Toews Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Devon Toews was raised in Abbotsford, British Columbia, by his parents, Werner and Tammy Toews. He has one brother, Nolan, and the family’s love of baseball inspired the brothers’ distinctive names, drawn from Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Devon White and Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan. Despite sharing a last name, Devon is not related to former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.
Personal Life
Toews became engaged to his wife, Kerry, in 2018, and the couple married in October 2020. They have two children together. At their wedding, in lieu of traditional favors, the couple made a donation to Hockey Fights Cancer in honor of Demetra Anas, the mother of Toews’ Quinnipiac teammate Sam Anas, who had passed away from breast cancer two months earlier.
2025 Season Performance
Devon Toews enters the 2025 campaign as one of the cornerstones of the Colorado Avalanche defense corps. Entering the final stretch of his seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension signed in October 2023, he continues to serve as a steady top-pair defenceman and power-play quarterback.
His familiarity with partner Cale Makar remains a major asset for head coach Jared Bednar, as the duo consistently logs the toughest assignments while driving offensive play from the back end. Toews’ ability to log heavy minutes without sacrificing efficiency keeps him among the league’s most trusted defencemen.
With the Avalanche continuing their pursuit of another Stanley Cup, Toews’ blend of experience, skating, and two-way reliability positions him as a central figure in the team’s championship aspirations for the 2025 season and beyond.