Noel Hoefenmayer Bio
Noel Hoefenmayer, born January 6, 1999, in North York, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Standing 185 cm tall and weighing 93 kg, Hoefenmayer has built his career as a mobile, offensive-minded blueliner, working his way through the Ontario Hockey League, the American Hockey League, and the National Hockey League before moving to Russia. He was selected in the fourth round, 108th overall, by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
After several seasons developing in the minor professional ranks, Hoefenmayer signed his first NHL contract with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023. Following a midseason trade in December 2024, he represented Canada at the Spengler Cup before eventually signing with HC Sochi in the summer of 2025.
Early Life and Background
Noel Hoefenmayer was born on January 6, 1999, in North York, Ontario, a district within the City of Toronto. Growing up in one of Canada’s most hockey-rich regions, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and progressed through local youth programs before joining the Don Mills Flyers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) for minor Midget hockey.
During the 2014–15 season, Hoefenmayer posted 10 goals and 23 assists across 62 games with the Don Mills Flyers, establishing himself as one of the stronger offensive defencemen in his age group. He also represented Team GTHL Blue in the 2014 GTHL Top Prospects Game and competed at the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Gold Cup, where his team won the tournament. That spring, the Ottawa 67’s selected him 36th overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.
Path to Hockey
Hoefenmayer’s path to professional hockey began in earnest with the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL. As a draft-eligible player in his second full season, he recorded eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points by January 2017, a pace that placed him 38th overall in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s midterm rankings among North American skaters. While he finished 75th overall in the final ranking, the Arizona Coyotes saw enough potential to select him 108th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He also earned the Ottawa 67’s Top Defenseman Award for the 2016–17 season.
Heading into his final OHL campaign, Hoefenmayer committed himself to off-ice development, working closely with the 67’s strength and conditioning coach and the team’s skills staff. The work paid off: in 2019–20 he led all OHL defencemen with 26 goals and 82 points in 58 games, while his 56 assists and plus-52 rating each ranked second league-wide. That season he captured the Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year, was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Defenceman of the Year, and was selected to the 2019–20 OHL First All-Star Team.
Noel Hoefenmayer Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
On April 4, 2020, Hoefenmayer signed as a free agent with the Toronto Marlies, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He suited up for 18 AHL games that season before being reassigned to the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL for the remainder of 2020–21. In the following fall he was named to the Maple Leafs’ 2021 Prospect Tournament roster, and on June 16, 2022, he agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Marlies for the 2022–23 season.
Across three seasons in the Maple Leafs organization, Hoefenmayer developed into a steady, two-way defenceman at the AHL level, gradually earning a reputation for his puck-moving ability and reliable defensive play. By the end of the 2022–23 season, he had proven ready for an NHL opportunity, leading to his first NHL contract the following summer.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2023–2024)
In July 2023, Hoefenmayer signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers, securing his first NHL deal. The agreement marked the culmination of years spent climbing through junior and minor professional hockey. He spent much of the 2023–24 season within the Oilers system, continuing to develop his game at the top professional level.
The following offseason, Hoefenmayer was given a one-year contract extension by the Oilers organization, signalling their continued confidence in his progression. His time in Edmonton allowed him to adjust to the pace and structure of an NHL organization, preparing him for the next step in his career.
Montreal Canadiens Trade and Laval Rocket (2024–2025)
On December 6, 2024, during the 2024–25 season, Hoefenmayer was traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Jacob Perreault. Shortly after the trade, he was assigned to the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, where he made his debut on December 15, 2024, recording an assist in a 6–2 victory over the Bridgeport Islanders.
Hoefenmayer’s stint with the Rocket offered a fresh start in a new organization. He contributed on the back end with his characteristic mobility and offensive instincts, helping stabilize Laval’s defensive rotation during the second half of the season.
HC Sochi Era (2025–Present)
Following the 2024–25 season, Hoefenmayer entered the offseason as a restricted free agent. On June 30, 2025, the Montreal Canadiens did not extend him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. Shortly thereafter, Hoefenmayer signed his first professional contract overseas, agreeing to a one-year deal with HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
The move to the KHL represents a new chapter for Hoefenmayer, giving him a chance to compete in one of Europe’s top professional leagues and to broaden his résumé after several seasons in North American professional hockey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hoefenmayer is recognized for his offensive instincts from the back end, a trait he displayed throughout his OHL career when he repeatedly led defencemen in goals and points. His skating, puck-handling, and vision allow him to quarterback a power play, while his size and strength help him win battles along the boards and in front of the net.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hoefenmayer’s signature accomplishments are his Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year in 2019–20, his CHL Defenceman of the Year honour the same season, and his first AHL goal and point contributions with the Toronto Marlies. His NHL debut and his gold medal at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge with Canada White also stand out as defining early moments in his career.
Noel Hoefenmayer Career Wins
Noel Hoefenmayer’s career wins are spread across junior, international, and professional levels, with his most decorated season coming in 2019–20 when he was recognized as the top defenceman in both the OHL and the CHL.
Ontario Hockey League Highlights
Across his OHL career with the Ottawa 67’s, Hoefenmayer posted 26 goals and 82 points in 58 games in his final season, leading all league defencemen in both categories. He captured the Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year in 2019–20 and was named to the OHL First All-Star Team that same season. Earlier, in 2016–17, he received the Ottawa 67’s Top Defenseman Award after registering 14 goals and 40 points in 62 games.
International Highlights
Hoefenmayer first represented Hockey Canada with Team Canada White at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he won a gold medal. In December 2024, he was named to Canada’s senior roster for the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland, recording a pair of points across three games as Canada won both group-stage matches before falling to the Straubing Tigers in the semifinals.
Other Wins & Performances
In 2014, Hoefenmayer helped Team GTHL Blue capture the OHL Gold Cup tournament, an early indication of his offensive upside. He has since posted consistent production at the AHL level with the Toronto Marlies and the Laval Rocket, registering points in his debut for Laval in December 2024.
Noel Hoefenmayer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Noel Hoefenmayer’s parents and broader family background is limited. He grew up in the North York district of Toronto and progressed through the Greater Toronto Hockey League system before being drafted into the OHL.
Personal Life
Hoefenmayer maintains a private personal life, and details about a spouse or children have not been publicly confirmed. Off the ice, he has been based in several cities throughout his professional career, including Toronto, Edmonton, and Montreal.
2025 Season Performance
Hoefenmayer’s 2025 calendar began with his trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Montreal Canadiens organization in December 2024, where he joined the Laval Rocket and quickly made an impact with an assist in his debut. He was also called up to represent Canada at the 2024 Spengler Cup in December, an indication of his standing within the national program.
As a restricted free agent at the end of the AHL season, Hoefenmayer was not tendered a qualifying offer by Montreal on June 30, 2025, ending his run with the Canadiens organization. He responded by signing a one-year contract with HC Sochi of the KHL, his first professional deal overseas.
Heading into the 2025–26 KHL season, Hoefenmayer is expected to anchor HC Sochi’s defensive corps with his puck-moving game and offensive instincts. The move represents an opportunity to expand his professional profile in a top European league after years spent climbing through the North American ranks.