Nate Schmidt

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Nate Schmidt

| image = Nate Schmidt 2018-02-04 3.jpg

| caption = Schmidt with the Vegas Golden Knights in February 2018

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|7|16}}

| birth_place = St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 194

| position = Defense

| shoots = Left

| league = NHL

| team = Florida Panthers

| former_teams = Washington Capitals
Vegas Golden Knights
Vancouver Canucks
Winnipeg Jets

| draft = Undrafted

| ntl_team = USA

| career_start = 2013

| career_end =

}}

Nathan Thomas Schmidt (born July 16, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets.

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.{{cite web |title=2007 USHL Futures Draft |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/ushl-futures-draft/2007?league=ahl |website=Elite Prospects}} 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.{{Cite web| url = http://www.wcha.com/men/pres1213/201303/mar14wcm.php | publisher = Western Collegiate Hockey Association | title = WCHA Awards | date = 2013-03-13 | accessdate = 2013-10-12}}

=Professional=

File:Nate Schmidt 2016-04-07 1.JPG in April 2016]]

==Washington Capitals==

On April 2, 2013, as an undrafted player, Schmidt signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals.{{cite web|title=Capitals Sign Nate Schmidt|url=http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=663542|accessdate= 2013-10-15|date= 2013-04-02 | publisher = 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.{{cite web| url = http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/230928311.html | title = Ex-Gopher Schmidt gets big shot in NHL with Caps | publisher = Minnesota Star Tribune | date = 2013-11-07 | accessdate = 2013-11-07}} He made his NHL debut on October 12, 2013, against the Colorado Avalanche.{{cite news|last=Leone|first=Tim|title=Washington Capitals recall Nate Schmidt, reassign Connor Carrick and Michael Latta to Hershey Bears|url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/10/washington_capitals_recall_nat.html|accessdate=2013-10-15 |newspaper=The Patriot-News|date=2013-10-11}} 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.{{cite web| url = http://capitalstoday.monumentalnetwork.com/2013/12/15/capitals-recall-latta-from-hershey-re-assign-schmidt-to-hershey | title = Caps Recall Latta from Hershey, Re-assign Schmidt to Hershey | publisher = Capitalstoday.com | date = 2013-12-15 | accessdate = 2013-12-15}}

==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.{{cite news| url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capitals-insider/wp/2017/06/21/capitals-lose-defenseman-nate-schmidt-in-las-vegas-expansion-draft/ | title = Capitals lose defenseman Nate Schmidt in Vegas expansion draft | newspaper = Washington Post | date = 2017-06-21 | accessdate = 2017-06-21}} After going to an arbitrator in August, Schmidt signed a two-year, $4.45 million contract with the Golden Knights.{{cite news |last1=Carp |first1=Steve |title=Nate Schmidt to receive $4.45M after arbiter rules |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/golden-knights-nhl/nate-schmidt-to-receive-4-45m-after-arbiter-rules/ |accessdate=June 12, 2018 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 5, 2017}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Luke |title=Capitals castoff Nate Schmidt has flourished with Golden Knights |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/capitals-castoff-nate-schmidt-flourished-golden-knights/ |website=sportsnet.ca |accessdate=June 12, 2018 |date=May 28, 2018}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Dan |title=Capitals win Stanley Cup, defeat Golden Knights in Game 5 of Final |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/washington-capitals-vegas-golden-knights-game-5-recap/c-298984386?tid=297173160 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=June 12, 2018 |date=June 8, 2018}}

Prior to the 2018–19 season, Schmidt was suspended 20 games for violating the NHL's performance-enhancing drug use policy.{{cite web |title=Golden Knights defenceman Nate Schmidt suspended 20 games |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/golden-knights-nate-schmidt-suspended-20-games/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |accessdate=September 4, 2018 |date=September 2, 2018}} He appealed his suspension, but the arbitrator upheld it.{{cite news |last1=Graney |first1=Ed |title=Nate Schmidt's case casts light on laughable NHL drug testing |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ed-graney/nate-schmidts-case-casts-light-on-laughable-nhl-drug-testing/ |accessdate=September 7, 2018 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 3, 2018}} On October 25, while serving his suspension, the Golden Knights signed Schmidt to a six-year, $35.8 million extension.{{cite web |last1=Gartner |first1=Jordan |title=Vegas Golden Knights, Nate Schmidt agree on 6-year extension |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/vegas-golden-knights-nate-schmidt-agree-on-6-year-extension |website=KTNV-TV |date=October 25, 2018 |accessdate=October 25, 2018}}

== 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.{{Cite web|author=TSN ca Staff|date=2020-10-12|title=Vancouver Canucks acquire D Nate Schmidt from Vegas Golden Knights - TSN.ca|url=https://www.tsn.ca/vancouver-canucks-acquire-d-nate-schmidt-from-vegas-golden-knights-1.1538099|access-date=2020-10-13|website=TSN|language=en}} He stated his unhappiness following the trade, citing a lack of communication with Vegas management and calling it "a tough pill to swallow".{{cite web |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Nate Schmidt explained how Vegas traded him and the whole thing sounds really rough. |url=https://www.bardown.com/nate-schmidt-explained-how-vegas-traded-him-and-the-whole-thing-sounds-really-rough-1.1538639 |accessdate=October 19, 2020 |website=Bardown.com}}

==Winnipeg Jets==

On July 27, 2021, Schmidt was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a third-round pick in 2022.{{cite web |title=Schmidt traded to Jets by Canucks for draft pick |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/canucks-trade-nate-schmidt-to-jets/c-325831954 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=July 27, 2021}} Upon joining the Jets, Schmidt praised the Jets defence for being "physical" and their ability to skate and "get up in the play."{{cite web |last1=Clinton |first1=Mitchell |title=Schmidt, Pionk see potential in Jets blue line |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/schmidt-pionk-see-potential-in-jets-blue-line/c-326419138 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=September 28, 2021}} Schmidt and his defensive partner Neal Pionk began the season strong by tallying six assists in their first six games.{{cite web |title=GAMEDAY: Jets at Kings |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/gameday-jets-at-kings/c-327302334 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=October 28, 2021}} This offensive output continued into early November with Schmidt leading the Jets in scoring at home with eight assists and sharing the team leading plus-minus at home with plus-seven.{{cite web |last1=Clinton |first1=Mitchell |title=GAMEDAY: Jets vs Islanders |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/gameday-jets-vs-islanders/c-327639306 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=November 6, 2021}} Upon scoring his first goal of the season on November 11, 2021, Schmidt matched his points total from the entire 2020–21 campaign with 10 points.{{cite web |last1=Clinton |first1=Mitchell |title=Schmidt nets first as a Jet in victory over Sharks |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/schmidt-nets-first-as-a-jet-in-victory-over-sharks/c-327851216 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=November 11, 2021}} Despite Schmidt's production, the Jets defence struggled to gain points and held a 1-for-22 record by late November. As such, Schmidt was moved to their second power play unit alongside Josh Morrissey.{{cite web |last1=Clinton |first1=Mitchell |title=Jets make power play adjustments ahead of Friday's matinee in Minnesota |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-make-power-play-adjustments-ahead-of-fridays-matinee-in-minnesota/c-328340960 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=November 25, 2021}} Schmidt ended the month of December by missing one game and two practices due to a non-COVID related illness.{{cite web |last1=Clinton |first1=Mitchell |title=Jets hold one final practice before holiday break |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-hold-one-final-practice-before-holiday-break/c-329192522 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=December 21, 2021}} Following the winter holidays, Schmidt was paired with Logan Stanley instead of his usual partner Josh Morrissey.{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Jamie |title=Thomas' Five Storylines - WPG @ ARI |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/thomas-five-storylines---wpg--ari/c-329469364 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=January 4, 2022}} As the Jets were eliminated from the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, Schmidt was named to Team USA for the 2022 IIHF World Championship.{{cite web |last1=Clinton |first1=Mitchell |title=Four Jets suiting up at the 2022 IIHF World Championship |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/four-jets-suiting-up-at-the-2022-iihf-world-championship/c-333748048 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=May 4, 2022}}

File:SchmidtApril25.jpg

On December 16, 2022, Schmidt was placed on long term injured reserve by the Jets after taking a hit from Nashville Predators forward Tanner Jeannot during a game.{{cite web |title=Ice Chips: Jets place D Schmidt on IR, recall Heinola |url=https://www.tsn.ca/ice-chips-winnipeg-jets-nate-schmidt-injured-reserve-recall-ville-heinola-1.1894164 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=December 16, 2022}} Following this, it was announced that he was expected to miss four-to-six weeks in order to recover.{{cite web |title=Jets' Wheeler, Schmidt out multiple weeks |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/blake-wheeler-nate-schmidt-injury-updates-winnipeg-jets-1.1894664 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=December 29, 2022 |date=December 17, 2022}}

On June 30, 2024, the Jets placed Schmidt on unconditional waivers with the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract.{{cite web |title=Jets place Nate Schmidt on unconditional waivers for purpose of buyout |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/jets-place-nate-schmidt-on-unconditional-waivers-for-purpose-of-buyout/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=June 30, 2024}} He cleared, becoming an unrestricted free agent.

==Florida Panthers==

On July 3, 2024, Schmidt signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Florida Panthers.{{cite web |title=Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Defenseman Nate Schmidt on One-Year Contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/florida-panthers-agree-to-terms-with-defenseman-nate-schmidt-on-one-year-contract |website=Florida Panthers |access-date=July 3, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Panthers add defenceman Nate Schmidt on one-year deal |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/report-panthers-add-defenceman-nate-schmidt-on-one-year-deal/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=July 3, 2024}}

Personal life

Schmidt was born to Tom and Joann Schmidt, and grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with two siblings.{{cite news |last1=Khurshudyan |first1=Isabelle |title=Fathers' trip extra special for Schmidts as Nate's role on Capitals has grown |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/capitals/fathers-trip-extra-special-for-schmidts-as-nates-role-on-capitals-has-grown/2015/12/11/ee5afa82-a03e-11e5-8728-1af6af208198_story.html |accessdate=December 5, 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=December 11, 2015}} Growing up, Schmidt also played football and baseball, before deciding to stick with hockey.{{cite news |last1=Prewitt |first1=Alex |title=Nate Schmidt is the Capitals' renewable energy source |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nate-schmidt-is-the-capitals-renewable-energy-source/2015/10/06/10668ab0-6921-11e5-9ef3-fde182507eac_story.html |accessdate=December 5, 2018 |date=October 9, 2015}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Regular season

! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Playoffs

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2006–07

| St. Cloud Cathedral

| MNHS

| 16

| 17

| 14

| 31

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2007–08

| St. Cloud Cathedral

| MNHS

| 16

| 10

| 12

| 22

| —

2008–09

| St. Cloud Cathedral

| MNHS

| 25

| 21

| 24

| 45

| 30

| 3

| 1

| 4

| 6

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2009–10

| Fargo Force

| USHL

| 57

| 14

| 23

| 37

| 81

| 13

| 0

| 6

| 2

2010–11

| University of Minnesota

| WCHA

| 13

| 0

| 1

| 6

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2011–12

| University of Minnesota

| WCHA

| 43

| 3

| 38

| 41

| 14

| —

2012–13

| University of Minnesota

| WCHA

| 40

| 9

| 23

| 32

| 16

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2012–13

| Hershey Bears

| AHL

| 8

| 1

| 2

| 3

| 4

| 5

| 0

| 2

| 0

2013–14

| Hershey Bears

| AHL

| 38

| 2

| 11

| 13

| 12

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2013–14

| Washington Capitals

| NHL

| 29

| 2

| 4

| 6

| —

2014–15

| Washington Capitals

| NHL

| 39

| 1

| 3

| 4

| 10

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2014–15

| Hershey Bears

| AHL

| 19

| 3

| 6

| 9

| 6

| 8

| 4

| 5

| 9

| 0

2015–16

| Washington Capitals

| NHL

| 72

| 2

| 14

| 16

| 10

| 0

| 1

| 2

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2016–17

| Washington Capitals

| NHL

| 60

| 3

| 14

| 17

| 16

| 11

| 1

| 3

| 4

2017–18

|Vegas Golden Knights

|NHL

|76

|31

|36

|16

|20

bgcolor="f0f0f0"

|2018–19

|Vegas Golden Knights

|NHL

|61

|21

|30

2019–20

|Vegas Golden Knights

|NHL

|59

|24

|31

|12

|20

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2020–21

| Vancouver Canucks

| NHL

| 54

| 5

| 10

| 15

| 4

| —

2021–22

| Winnipeg Jets

| NHL

| 77

| 4

| 28

| 32

| 10

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2022–23

| Winnipeg Jets

| NHL

| 71

| 7

| 12

| 19

| 8

| 5

| 0

| 2

| 0

2023–24

| Winnipeg Jets

| NHL

| 63

| 2

| 12

| 14

| 16

| 3

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 0

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2024–25

| Florida Panthers

| NHL

| 80

| 5

| 14

| 19

| 30

| —

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | NHL totals

! 741

! 52

! 187

! 239

! 152

! 76

! 7

! 21

! 28

! 16

=International=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Year

! Team

! Event

! Result

! rowspan="98" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2022

| United States

| WC

| 4th

| 10

| 2

| 4

| 6

| 4

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="4"|Senior totals

! 10 !! 2 !! 4 !! 6 !! 4

Awards and honors

class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year !
colspan="3"\|College
All-WCHA Second Team \| 2011–12 \|
All-WCHA First Team \| 2012–13 \| {{cite web \| url = http://collegehockeyinc.com/pages/conference-honors-2012-13 \| title = Conference Honors, 2012–13 \| publisher = College Hockey.com \| date = 2013-03-24 \| accessdate = 2013-10-15 \| archive-date = October 12, 2013 \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131012040518/http://collegehockeyinc.com/pages/conference-honors-2012-13 \| url-status = dead }}
AHCA West Second-Team All-American \| 2012–13 \|

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Year

colspan="3"|College

All-WCHA Second Team

| 2011–12

All-WCHA First Team

| 2012–13

| {{cite web | url = http://collegehockeyinc.com/pages/conference-honors-2012-13 | title = Conference Honors, 2012–13 | publisher = College Hockey.com | date = 2013-03-24 | accessdate = 2013-10-15 | archive-date = October 12, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131012040518/http://collegehockeyinc.com/pages/conference-honors-2012-13 | url-status = dead }}

AHCA West Second-Team All-American

| 2012–13