Kurtis MacDermid Bio
Kurtis MacDermid (born March 25, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is widely recognized as an enforcer, a role built on physical play, fighting, and protecting teammates. MacDermid is a Stanley Cup champion, having won the trophy with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 108 kilograms, he brings size and toughness to every lineup he joins.
Early Life and Background
Kurtis MacDermid was born on March 25, 1994, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. His birth came during his father’s time with the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League, which made the city a fitting first home for a future hockey player. Although he was born in Quebec, MacDermid was raised in the small community of Sauble Beach, Ontario, where he grew up surrounded by the rhythms of Canadian small-town life and the country’s deep hockey culture.
Hockey was woven into his upbringing from the start. His father, Paul MacDermid, is a former NHL player, and his older brother, Lane MacDermid, also went on to play in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, and Calgary Flames. Growing up in a household with two professional players set a clear example and gave Kurtis a front-row view of what a hockey career demanded. That environment shaped his approach to the game and laid the foundation for his future in the sport.
Path to Hockey
MacDermid began his competitive hockey journey in junior leagues, first playing for the Owen Sound Greys of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. His play there was strong enough to earn him a selection in the 2010 Ontario Hockey League Priority Draft, where the Owen Sound Attack chose him 139th overall. He made his OHL debut with the Attack during the 2011–12 season, beginning a junior career that would help him sharpen the physical edge that has since become his trademark.
He completed his junior career with the Erie Otters in the 2014–15 season, posting the kind of numbers and toughness that caught the attention of NHL scouts. Although he was not selected in the NHL Entry Draft, his performance in the OHL was enough to convince the Los Angeles Kings to sign him. On September 13, 2012, MacDermid agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings, formally launching his path toward professional hockey.
Kurtis MacDermid Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
After his junior career wrapped up, MacDermid began his professional career within the Los Angeles Kings organization. He was assigned to the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign, to start the 2015–16 season. For two seasons, he served as a regular on the blue line with the Reign, working to translate his physical junior style into a consistent professional game.
His progress at the AHL level was promising enough that the Kings re-signed him to a one-year, two-way contract extension on July 14, 2017. That summer set the stage for his long-awaited NHL opportunity, as he earned a spot on the Kings’ opening night roster for the 2017–18 season.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2017–2021)
MacDermid made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings on October 5, 2017, appearing in a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on opening night. Less than a month later, on October 26, 2017, he scored his first NHL goal in a 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens, a milestone moment that confirmed his arrival at the top level. Throughout his time with the Kings, he settled into the enforcer role, providing physicality and dropping the gloves when his team needed a spark.
His Kings tenure was not without disciplinary attention. On January 3, 2020, MacDermid received a two-game suspension for an illegal check, a reminder of the fine line enforcers walk between physical presence and penalty. He continued to split time between Los Angeles and the Ontario Reign before being selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft on July 21, 2021.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2021–2024)
Just six days after being picked by the Seattle Kraken, MacDermid was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on July 27, 2021, in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2023. The move gave him a fresh start with a contender, and on April 5, 2022, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Avalanche. That same year, MacDermid won the Stanley Cup with Colorado, the franchise’s third championship in history, even though he did not appear in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. His name is engraved on the Stanley Cup, a permanent mark of his contribution to the title run.
He remained with the Avalanche into the 2023–24 season, continuing to provide toughness and depth. On March 1, 2024, Colorado traded MacDermid to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for the signing rights to Zakhar Bardakov and a 2024 seventh-round pick, closing out his time in Denver.
New Jersey Devils Era (2024–2025)
MacDermid arrived in New Jersey as a pending free agent, but he chose to stay. On May 17, 2024, he re-signed with the Devils to a three-year, $3.45 million contract extension, signaling the organization’s belief in his role on the roster. He spent the 2024–25 season with New Jersey, anchoring a physical fourth line and protecting skilled teammates with his presence.
Ottawa Senators Era (2025–Present)
On October 3, 2025, ahead of the 2025–26 season, MacDermid was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Zack MacEwen. The deal gave Ottawa another physical veteran and gave MacDermid a new chapter in his NHL career. He joined the Senators’ forward group, where his role as an enforcer and energy player fits a team looking to add grit.
Driving Style and Strengths
MacDermid’s game is built on physicality rather than offensive production. He uses his 6-foot-5 frame to win battles along the boards, deliver heavy hits, and step in when teammates need protection. His willingness to drop the gloves and his timing in those moments have made him a respected enforcer at every level he has played.
Notable Events and Milestones
His biggest career milestone came in 2022 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. Other standout moments include his NHL debut and first NHL goal with the Los Angeles Kings in October 2017, and the trade to the Ottawa Senators in October 2025, which marked his fourth NHL organization.
Kurtis MacDermid Career Wins
MacDermid’s win totals are tied to team success rather than individual statistics, and his most celebrated victory remains the 2022 Stanley Cup championship with the Colorado Avalanche. He has consistently contributed to winning locker rooms, from his development years with the Ontario Reign to championship contention in Colorado.
NHL Highlights
MacDermid’s NHL resume is highlighted by the 2022 Stanley Cup win with the Colorado Avalanche. He also experienced playoff pushes with the Los Angeles Kings and contributed to the New Jersey Devils’ competitive efforts during the 2024–25 season.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the NHL, MacDermid had a productive junior career in the Ontario Hockey League, playing for the Owen Sound Attack and the Erie Otters. In the AHL, he was a regular contributor for the Ontario Reign, helping the team remain competitive in the Western Conference.
Kurtis MacDermid Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
MacDermid comes from a strong hockey family. His father, Paul MacDermid, played in the NHL, including time with the Quebec Nordiques during Kurtis’s birth. His older brother, Lane MacDermid, also reached the NHL, suiting up for the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, and Calgary Flames. That family connection gave Kurtis a clear pathway into the sport and a deep understanding of the professional game.
Personal Life
Born in Quebec City and raised in Sauble Beach, Ontario, MacDermid has spent much of his adult life moving between NHL cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, and New Jersey, before settling with the Ottawa Senators. Details about his personal relationships are not widely documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a major transition for MacDermid. He finished the 2024–25 season with the New Jersey Devils after signing a three-year extension in May 2024, continuing to play his usual physical, enforcer-style game. On October 3, 2025, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators, opening a new chapter with a young, up-and-coming team.
Heading into the 2025–26 season, MacDermid is expected to play a depth forward role with Ottawa, providing energy, physicality, and veteran presence. His size and fighting ability give the Senators a credible enforcer, something that can protect skilled players and shift momentum during a long NHL season.
For MacDermid, the 2025 season is about embracing a new organization and continuing to deliver the traits that have defined his career. As Ottawa pushes for a playoff spot, his role as a tone-setter and protector of teammates is likely to remain central to his game.