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Jonathan Cheechoo
Jonathan Cheechoo
Jonathan Cheechoo
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Jonathan Cheechoo (/ˈtʃiːtʃuː/; Cree: ᔔᓇᕦᓐ ᒋᒍ; born July 15, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Key Information

During the 2005–06 season, he led the NHL with 56 goals and won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. He was the first San Jose Sharks player to win the "Rocket" Richard Trophy, awarded to the NHL player with the most goals in a season.

Playing career

[edit]

Drafted by the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 1997 OHL priority selection, Cheechoo had a reasonably strong rookie year in 1997–98 with 76 points (31 goals and 45 assists) in 64 games, good for third place on his team. In the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks traded the second overall pick (used to select David Legwand) to the Nashville Predators for the third overall pick (used to select Brad Stuart) and the 29th overall pick, which they used to select Cheechoo. Most had predicted that Cheechoo would be a later-round pick, and San Jose was criticized for picking a lackluster forward who "skated slower forwards than most players skated backwards" instead of the highly touted Legwand.[citation needed]

Cheechoo joined the Bulls for the 1998–99 season and finished with 82 points (35 goals and 47 assists) in 63 games. Taking off in the playoffs, Cheechoo scored 30 points (15 goals and 15 assists) in 21 games. Five of those goals were scored during Game 7 of the OHL Final against the London Knights, a game the Bulls would win 9–2 to secure their first OHL Championship. Although he was now eligible for American Hockey League (AHL) assignment, San Jose chose to leave him unsigned, knowing he still had room to improve in the OHL. In the following season, Cheechoo had his best year, tallying a team-high 91 points (45 goals and 46 assists) in 66 games. Cheechoo added 17 points (5 goals and 12 assists) in 16 games during the playoffs. Notably, Cheechoo never played a full season while in juniors because of minor injuries he gained from his crash-and-bang style of play. Cheechoo joined San Jose's AHL affiliate, the Kentucky Thoroughblades in the 2000–01 season and retained hockey agent Thane Campbell.

San Jose Sharks

[edit]

Cheechoo had a strong rookie season with Kentucky in the AHL, scoring 66 points in 75 games. After going scoreless in the playoffs (in which he was a healthy scratch for two games), Cheechoo rebounded with 46 points (21 goals and 25 assists) in 53 games (he missed games due to a leg injury).

In 2002–03, after scoring seven points (three goals and four assists) in nine games with the Cleveland Barons (the relocated Kentucky Thoroughblades franchise), Cheechoo was recalled to San Jose to help revitalize the struggling team. Playing mostly on the third and fourth lines, Cheechoo had a modest 16 points (9 goals and 7 assists) in 66 games.

His hard work paid off, as Cheechoo had 47 points in 81 games in 2003–04. Playing alongside Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton, Cheechoo had two mentors who taught Cheechoo how to be defensively responsible. Before the Calgary Flames eliminated San Jose in the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cheechoo had 10 points in 17 games. During the NHL lock-out, Cheechoo played with HV71 of the Swedish Elitserien and scored 5 goals in 20 games.

In the 2005–06 season, Cheechoo's offensive statistics exploded, with him netting a franchise record 56 goals and 93 points.[1] Much of Cheechoo's success was augmented by the Sharks acquisition of his new linemate, superstar center Joe Thornton in late November. Before the trade, Cheechoo had 15 points (7 goals and 8 assists) in 24 games. In the 57 games after the trade, Cheechoo had 78 points (49 goals and 29 assists). Due to his uptick in goal scoring, Cheechoo became the first Sharks player to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and the second aboriginal player to score more than 50 goals in a season.[2] Thornton would go on to win the Hart trophy (league MVP) that season.

In 2006, Cheechoo signed a five-year contract extension worth US$15 million, paying him US$2.5 million the first two years, US$3 million the third year and US$3.5 million the last two years.[3][4]

In the 2006–07 season, Cheechoo got off to a slow start as he, Joe Thornton and newly acquired power forward Mark Bell failed to click. However, after a struggling Bell was demoted to the press box in favour of young speedster Milan Michalek, Cheechoo picked it up, finishing the season with 37 goals and 69 points in 76 games. During the 2007 off-season, Cheechoo required double hernia surgery to repair injuries he suffered during the Sharks' playoff run.[5][6]

Cheechoo during the 2005–06 season. He scored a Sharks team record 56 goals that season.

During the 2007–08 season, Cheechoo's production dropped to 23 goals. Cheechoo's production dropped further the following season, where he scored just 12 goals.

Ottawa Senators

[edit]

On September 12, 2009, Cheechoo was traded by the Sharks (along with Michalek and a second-round draft pick) to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Dany Heatley and a fifth-round pick.[7] On February 12, 2010, Cheechoo was placed on waivers by the Senators after they acquired Matt Cullen from the Carolina Hurricanes.

On February 13, 2010, he cleared waivers and was reassigned to the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa's AHL affiliate. He was recalled in the playoffs and played one game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. On June 28, he was again placed on waivers by the Senators.[8] Cheechoo, who was heading into the final year of a five-year contract signed with San Jose in 2006, was reportedly owed $3.5 million for the 2010–11 season.[9] On June 29, the Senators bought out the final year of his contract, making him a free agent.[10]

Later career

[edit]

Following his buy out, Cheechoo was invited to the Dallas Stars training camp on September 4, 2010.[11] He was released from the tryout 22 days later, on September 26, following his appearance in two pre-season games where he failed to register a point and posted a −2 rating. Despite his efforts, Dallas felt Cheechoo could not out perform their current players and therefore released him so he would have the opportunity to join another team.[12]

On October 5, 2010, Cheechoo returned to the Sharks organization, signing a professional try-out contract with their AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, to re-unite with his first professional head coach Roy Sommer, who previously coached him with the Kentucky Thoroughblades.[13]

On July 12, 2011, Cheechoo was signed by the St. Louis Blues to a one-year, two-way contract. While playing with the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, Cheechoo earned his 500th career professional point on November 27 against the Chicago Wolves.[14]

A free agent upon the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Cheechoo was belatedly signed to a professional try-out contract with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL during the midpoint of the 2012–13 season on January 20, 2013.[15]

On July 10, 2013, Cheechoo left North America and signed a one-year contract with Croatian club, Medveščak Zagreb of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).[16]

In May 2014, Cheechoo signed a two-year deal with KHL club Dinamo Minsk from Belarus. In 2016, he signed a one-year deal with Slovan Bratislava.[17] Cheechoo was selected for the 2017 KHL All-Star game.[18]

Retirement

[edit]

On March 6, 2018, Cheechoo officially announced his retirement. He was recognized at the SAP Center in San Jose prior to the Sharks' game against the Calgary Flames on March 24, 2018.[19] After Cheechoo announced his retirement, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson commented about Cheechoo's background; Wilson talked about the fact that he was a player who was able to have great success from a remote area of Canada.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

Cheechoo is a member of the Cree First Nations tribe from Moose Factory, Ontario.[21] When he was young, Cheechoo did not believe he would play in the NHL; instead, he believed that he would follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and would become a trapper and hunter for the Cree.[22] Over time, Cheechoo developed into a strong hockey player and, at age 14, left his home after being told he would need to in order to develop his hockey skills.[22] Cheechoo moved to Timmins, Ontario, around 300 kilometres away from his home, to play bantam hockey. Living so far from home, Cheechoo was homesick and found it very difficult to have to leave his close family at such a young age.[23] Cheechoo has said he had a very strong support system when he was deciding to pursue hockey. His success was a highlight for Moose Factory, as shown by the 120 individuals who left Moose Factory to support him when he went 29th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.[22]

Growing up in a small town, Cheechoo enjoyed the tight-knit nature of the town and expressed thanks for the high level of support he had from the people he grew up with.[22] Cheechoo's childhood was very reminiscent of a traditional Cree upbringing and he has said his favourite things to do when he was young were to hunt and fish with his grandfather, George Cheechoo.[22]

In his youth, Cheechoo was involved in the Little Native Hockey League, a tournament which gives aboriginal youth an outlet to play hockey.[24] During the 25th Little Native Hockey Tournament, Cheechoo sat as the captain of the team and won the tournament.[21] Cheechoo has described his involvement with the organization as being a positive aspect of his hockey career. Cheechoo sat as the Honorary Chair during the 46th annual event which took place in March 2017.[24]

Cheechoo has been known to go out of his way to talk to children and interact with those who admire him.[25] Cheechoo is seen as a role model for aboriginal youth in hockey, with his involvement in the Little Native Hockey League being a source of inspiration for those currently competing in the tournament and wishing to achieve the same level of success.[26]

Records

[edit]
  • San Jose Sharks' franchise record for goals in a season (56) – 2005–06
  • San Jose Sharks' franchise record for power-play goals in a season (24) – 2005–06 season.
  • San Jose Sharks' franchise record for hat-tricks in a season (5) – 2005–06 season.
  • San Jose Sharks' franchise record for hat-tricks in a career (9)

Career statistics

[edit]

Bold indicates led league

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1996–97 Kitchener Dutchmen MWJHL 43 35 41 76 33 — — — — —
1997–98 Belleville Bulls OHL 64 31 45 76 62 10 4 2 6 10
1998–99 Belleville Bulls OHL 63 35 47 82 74 21 15 15 30 27
1999–2000 Belleville Bulls OHL 66 45 46 91 102 16 5 12 17 16
2000–01 Kentucky Thoroughblades AHL 75 32 34 66 63 3 0 0 0 0
2001–02 Cleveland Barons AHL 53 21 25 46 54 — — — — —
2002–03 San Jose Sharks NHL 66 9 7 16 39 — — — — —
2002–03 Cleveland Barons AHL 9 3 4 7 16 — — — — —
2003–04 San Jose Sharks NHL 81 28 19 47 33 17 4 6 10 10
2004–05 HV71 SEL 20 5 0 5 5 — — — — —
2005–06 San Jose Sharks NHL 82 56 37 93 58 11 4 5 9 8
2006–07 San Jose Sharks NHL 76 37 32 69 69 11 3 3 6 6
2007–08 San Jose Sharks NHL 69 23 14 37 46 13 4 4 8 4
2008–09 San Jose Sharks NHL 66 12 17 29 59 6 1 1 2 4
2009–10 Ottawa Senators NHL 61 5 9 14 20 1 0 0 0 0
2009–10 Binghamton Senators AHL 25 8 6 14 37 — — — — —
2010–11 Worcester Sharks AHL 55 18 29 47 14 — — — — —
2011–12 Peoria Rivermen AHL 70 25 31 56 24 — — — — —
2012–13 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 35 13 19 32 16 17 3 9 12 8
2013–14 Medveščak Zagreb KHL 54 19 19 38 40 4 0 2 2 8
2014–15 Dinamo Minsk KHL 49 24 24 48 34 5 0 1 1 18
2015–16 Dinamo Minsk KHL 54 16 22 38 28 — — — — —
2016–17 Slovan Bratislava KHL 60 14 26 40 40 — — — — —
AHL totals 322 120 148 268 224 20 3 9 12 8
NHL totals 501 170 135 305 324 59 16 19 35 32
KHL totals 217 73 91 164 142 9 0 3 3 26

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year
OHL
CHL Top Prospects Game 1998
First All-Rookie Team 1998
AHL
All-Rookie Team 2001
All-Star Game 2001, 2011* [27]
NHL
NHL YoungStars Game 2004
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy 2006
All-Star Game 2007
KHL
All-Star Game 2014, 2015, 2017 [28]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jonathan Cheechoo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jonathan Cheechoo is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and other leagues, most notably leading the NHL in goals with 56 during the 2005–06 season to win the . Born on July 15, 1980, in , , he is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation and grew up in a remote Indigenous community in . Over his NHL career spanning 501 games with the (2002–2009) and (2009–2010), he recorded 170 goals, 135 assists, and 305 points. Cheechoo's path to the NHL began in junior hockey with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he was drafted fifth overall in the 1997 OHL Priority Selection and helped the team win the 1999 OHL championship and reach the Memorial Cup. Selected 29th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, he debuted in the 2002–03 season after developing in the American Hockey League (AHL). During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played for HV71 in Sweden's Elitserien. His breakout 2005–06 campaign, playing alongside Joe Thornton, established him as an elite sniper, earning NHL All-Star honors. Following his NHL tenure, Cheechoo continued professionally in , including four seasons in the (KHL) from 2013 to 2017 with teams such as Dinamo Minsk and , where he was also an . He announced his retirement on March 6, 2018, and was inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to hockey and Indigenous youth development through coaching and community programs. As of 2025, he serves as for the San Jose Jr. Sharks' 13U and 14U AAA teams.

Early life and junior career

Early life

Jonathan Cheechoo was born on July 15, 1980, in , , a remote community located on Moose Factory Island at the southern end of . As a member of the Moose Cree First Nation, Cheechoo grew up immersed in his Cree heritage, where family traditions centered on activities such as , , and , which were essential to the community's way of life. His grandfather, a trapper, profoundly influenced his early aspirations, leading young Cheechoo to envision a future following in those footsteps rather than pursuing organized sports. In the close-knit, isolated community of approximately 2,500 residents on a roughly two-square-mile with limited modern amenities, Cheechoo's childhood focused primarily on outdoor pursuits and learning respect for the land through cultural practices, including and alongside family members. Hockey initially played a secondary role, with Cheechoo first skating informally at age three or four on makeshift rinks created by his family, and participating in basic local programs in before more structured opportunities arose. At age 14, Cheechoo moved approximately 300 kilometers south to , , to access better hockey development through AAA Bantam leagues, facing significant challenges including and cultural adjustment away from his remote Indigenous community. This relocation marked his transition toward competitive junior hockey while honoring the foundational influences of his early life.

Junior hockey career

Cheechoo began his major junior hockey career after playing Junior B in Kitchener at age 16, leading to his selection by the Belleville Bulls in the first round, fifth overall, of the 1997 OHL Priority Selection. In his rookie OHL season of 1997–98 under head coach Lou Crawford, Cheechoo recorded 31 goals and 76 points in 64 games, establishing himself as a promising offensive talent on the right wing. Following this season, he was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the second round, 29th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. The following year, 1998–99, he improved to 35 goals and 82 points in 63 regular-season games, then excelled in the playoffs with 15 goals and 30 points in 21 contests, helping the Bulls win the OHL championship; he notably scored five goals in Game 7 of the finals against the London Knights. The Bulls then represented the OHL at the 1999 Memorial Cup, where Cheechoo scored two goals in four games. Cheechoo's development peaked in his final junior season of 1999–00, where he led the team with 45 goals and 91 points in 66 games, showcasing his elite goal-scoring ability and at 6 feet 1 inch and around 200 pounds. His consistent progression through the OHL, marked by increasing production and playoff success under Crawford's guidance, positioned him as a top prospect.

Professional playing career

San Jose Sharks

Jonathan Cheechoo began his professional career in the (AHL) with the Barons, the top minor-league affiliate of the , during the 2002–03 season, where he recorded seven points in nine games before being called up to the NHL. He made his NHL debut with the Sharks on February 1, 2003, against the , and went on to appear in 66 games that season as a , scoring 9 goals and adding 7 assists for 16 points while averaging 10:43 of ice time per game. In the 2003–04 season, Cheechoo established himself as a key contributor on the ' roster, playing all 81 games and increasing his production to 28 goals and 19 assists for 47 points, with a plus-minus rating of +5 and notable contributions on the power play, including 8 power-play goals. He carried this momentum into the , where the reached the Western Conference Finals; in 17 postseason games, Cheechoo tallied 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points, helping the team advance past the and before falling to the . During the , Cheechoo played for in Sweden's Elitserien, recording 5 goals in 20 games. He returned for the 2005–06 season, which marked his breakout year and the pinnacle of his offensive output with the . The 2005–06 campaign saw Cheechoo rise to stardom after the Sharks acquired from the on November 30, 2005, forming a potent top line that boosted team chemistry and scoring. Playing primarily on the right wing alongside Thornton at , Cheechoo led the NHL with 56 goals—a franchise record for the Sharks—and added 37 assists for 93 points, earning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer. Of his 56 goals, 49 came after Thornton's arrival, highlighting the immediate impact of their partnership, which generated numerous scoring chances through Thornton's playmaking. Key highlights included five hat tricks—the most in Sharks history for a single season—and 24 power-play goals, establishing him as a specialist on the man advantage. In the that year, the Sharks were eliminated in the second round by the , with Cheechoo contributing in limited action. Over his seven seasons with the from 2002–03 to 2008–09, Cheechoo amassed 165 goals and 126 assists for 291 points in 440 regular-season games, showcasing consistent offensive presence despite varying roles. His scoring peaked in 2006–07 with 37 goals and 69 points in 76 games, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals where he recorded 3 goals and 3 assists in 11 playoff games before the Sharks lost to the . However, production declined in subsequent years, dropping to 23 goals in 2007–08 and 12 in 2008–09 amid increased competition for ice time and adjustments in team strategy. On September 12, 2009, Cheechoo was traded to the along with Milan Michalek and a second-round draft pick in exchange for and a fifth-round pick, as the Sharks sought to bolster their lineup for a push following his diminished output.

Ottawa Senators

On September 12, 2009, the acquired Jonathan Cheechoo along with Milan Michalek and a second-round draft pick from the in exchange for and a fifth-round draft pick. This trade came amid Cheechoo's declining production, as he had scored just 12 goals in 66 games during the 2008–09 season with the Sharks, a sharp drop from his career-high 56 goals in 2005–06. In his only full NHL season with Ottawa during 2009–10, Cheechoo appeared in 61 games, recording 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points while posting a minus-13 rating. His performance was hampered by ongoing injuries, including a double that required prior to the season and affected his skating and overall output, leading to limited ice time and frequent line adjustments as he struggled to regain form. On , 2010, he was placed on waivers and subsequently assigned to the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, further underscoring his challenges in adapting to the team's dynamics after leaving San Jose. Cheechoo had a minimal role in the 2010 playoffs, dressing for just one game as the Senators were eliminated in the first round by the in six games. Following the season, on June 29, 2010, the Senators bought out the final year of his , which was set to pay him $3.5 million, effectively ending his NHL at age 29. In later reflections, Cheechoo attributed much of his Senators tenure struggles to persistent injury issues that limited his training and physical play, marking a difficult transition from his peak years in San Jose.

Post-NHL career

Following his buyout by the in June 2010, Cheechoo signed a professional tryout agreement with the of the (AHL), the top minor-league affiliate of his former NHL team, the . In the 2010–11 season, he recorded 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points in 55 , providing offensive support but facing limited ice time amid roster competition. Cheechoo continued in the AHL the following year, joining the Peoria Rivermen, affiliate of the , where he posted a strong 25 goals and 31 assists for 56 points in 70 games during the 2011–12 season. In 2012–13, he moved to the , the ' affiliate, contributing 13 goals and 19 assists in 35 regular-season games before adding 3 goals and 9 assists in 17 playoff contests as the team reached the Western Conference finals. In July 2013, Cheechoo transitioned to international play by signing with Medveščak Zagreb of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Croatia's entry in the Russia-based circuit. During the 2013–14 season, he adapted to the league's larger ice surface and more fluid style, noting that persisting with a North American approach would lead to being "eaten up pretty quickly," though physical contact proved comparable to the NHL despite expectations otherwise. He tallied 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 54 regular-season games, plus 2 playoff points, and was selected as a starter for the KHL All-Star Game, where he scored and assisted in Team West's 18–16 victory over Team East. Cheechoo joined for the 2014–15 KHL season, leading the team with 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points in 49 games, earning another selection (though he did not participate). He remained with in 2015–16, registering 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points in 54 games while serving as a veteran presence on the forward lines. In his final professional season, 2016–17, Cheechoo signed with and finished second in team scoring with 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in 60 games, culminating in a selection to the KHL . Over four KHL seasons, Cheechoo appeared in 217 games, scoring 73 goals and adding 91 assists for 164 points, emphasizing and consistency in a competitive environment.

Retirement and post-playing activities

Retirement

Jonathan Cheechoo officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on March 6, 2018, at the age of 37, following 16 seasons in the league. The announcement was made through the , the organization where he spent the majority of his NHL career. Cheechoo cited cumulative injuries, including issues, double hernias in 2007, shoulder problems, and a back injury, as significant factors that had gradually diminished his performance and mobility on the ice. Additionally, he emphasized family priorities, particularly providing stability for his young son, and a desire to return to full-time after years abroad. In the wake of the announcement, Cheechoo returned to his home in San Jose, allowing him more time to visit family in and focus on personal recovery. He reflected on the decision as timely for his family's needs, stating, "We kind of wanted to get him into a stable spot… family-wise it was time to come home." This marked the end of a career that had taken him from remote to international leagues, culminating in his final seasons with the (KHL) from 2013 to 2017. The honored Cheechoo on March 24, 2018, at prior to their game against the , featuring a ceremonial puck drop accompanied by train whistles referencing his "Cheech Train" nickname, along with recognition of his contributions to the franchise. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson praised Cheechoo's perseverance, noting in the retirement release that he "completed a remarkable journey from one of North America's remote locations to an elite NHL player," and highlighted how his "perseverance and commitment to the game, along with his strong Indigenous background, have served as an inspiration to many." The tribute underscored the lasting impact Cheechoo had on the organization and the sport.

Community involvement

Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2018, which allowed him greater flexibility for travel to engage with his home community, Jonathan Cheechoo has focused on promoting the sport among Indigenous youth in northern Ontario while based in San Jose. He served as the Honorary Chair of the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) starting in 2017, a role in which he performed the ceremonial puck drop at the tournament's opening and shared his experiences as a former LNHL participant to emphasize values like respect, education, and sportsmanship. In this capacity, Cheechoo highlighted the league's importance in fostering community and healthy competition for First Nations youth across Ontario. He continued in the position for the 2018 tournament, hosted by his home community of Moose Cree First Nation, where he attended the opening ceremony and remarked on the event's family-oriented nature and the hard work involved in its organization. In 2025, he attended the LNHL Tournament, continuing his support for the event. Cheechoo has actively participated in community hockey clinics and camps, particularly in Moose Factory, to mentor young players and share his professional insights. In January 2020, he led a free four-day camp at the Thomas Cheechoo Jr. Memorial Complex for approximately 115 Indigenous youth aged 17 and under, providing on-ice instruction alongside his brother , a former junior player and coach. Motivated by his own formative experiences at similar camps, such as one run by NHL alum , Cheechoo aimed to inspire participants to pursue their dreams in hockey, even if it meant leaving remote communities like his own. These efforts extend to broader initiatives, where he conducts clinics to build skills and confidence among Indigenous children. Through speeches and appearances, Cheechoo has advocated for greater Indigenous representation in hockey, drawing on his NHL success to motivate the next generation. At events including his 2018 retirement recognition by the , where he was honored as an alumnus, he has emphasized perseverance and community support as keys to overcoming barriers faced by Indigenous athletes. His involvement underscores hockey's role in cultural preservation and youth development within First Nations. In 2023, Cheechoo was inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame, collaborating with the organization to promote Indigenous excellence in sports and serving as a for ongoing inspiration. As of 2025, in addition to low-profile speaking engagements with Indigenous youth, he serves as for the San Jose Jr. Sharks' 13U and 14U AAA teams, further reinforcing his commitment to mentorship.

Personal life and heritage

Family background

Jonathan Cheechoo was born to parents Mervin and Carol Cheechoo in , , where he grew up as the eldest of three children alongside siblings Kari and Jordan. His family instilled values of community and resilience from an early age, with his father Mervin later serving as chief of the Moose Cree First Nation, emphasizing collective support and perseverance in the face of challenges. This familial foundation played a key role in Cheechoo's development, as his parents relocated from to a community near Sudbury in 2001 to stay closer during his rising hockey career. Cheechoo married Ashley in 2009 after meeting her in 2006, and the couple has one son, Jack, born around 2012. Public details about his remain limited, reflecting Cheechoo's preference for privacy following his NHL tenure, though he has credited his wife and son for providing unwavering support through frequent relocations during his professional playing days and into retirement. The family resided in , for many years, balancing personal life with Cheechoo's commitments, while maintaining close ties to through regular visits. Post-retirement, Cheechoo has continued to engage in traditional activities such as fishing and hunting, pursuits rooted in his upbringing that offer a respite from public attention. He avoids the media spotlight on personal matters, focusing instead on family time and occasional travel for hockey-related events, allowing him to nurture family bonds away from professional scrutiny.

Indigenous heritage and advocacy

Jonathan Cheechoo is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation, a Cree community situated on Moose Factory Island at the southern end of James Bay in northern Ontario, Canada. Moose Factory holds significant cultural importance as one of the oldest European-established settlements in the region, founded in 1673 by the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trading post, which evolved into a hub for Cree families engaged in trapping, labor, and traditional crafts, fostering a deep connection to the land and Cree heritage. The community, accessible primarily by boat or snowmobile, emphasizes Cree cultural practices, including hunting, fishing, and language preservation, as highlighted by local institutions like the Cree Cultural Interpretive Centre. As an Indigenous athlete from a remote northern community, Cheechoo encountered significant challenges, including racist taunts, prejudice from parents and coaches during his youth hockey days in , and barriers to access due to the isolation of , where travel to games often required snowmobiles over frozen ponds. Leaving home at age 14 for bantam hockey in exacerbated these issues, leading to intense and emotional struggles, as he later reflected: "When I first left home… I didn’t have a clue about anything." He used his growing platform in the NHL to address stereotypes and promote opportunities for Indigenous youth, serving as an inspirational figure and speaking at native schools to encourage alternatives to and limited prospects in remote areas. Throughout his career, Cheechoo engaged in efforts, including hosting visits with Indigenous high school students from communities like Pierceland, , in 2003, and participating in NHL initiatives that embraced Aboriginal players during the mid-2000s, such as the league's growing recognition of Indigenous talent around his 2005-06 season. Post-retirement, he has endorsed inclusive programs by leading annual hockey camps in to mentor Indigenous youth on pursuing dreams, and he was inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions both on and off the ice. In interviews, Cheechoo has shared reflections on balancing Cree traditional values with the demands of professional hockey, noting the difficulty of transitioning from a close-knit community life of and family gatherings to the isolation and pressures of the NHL, yet crediting these roots for his resilience: "The transition from the traditional life of a community to the big bucks and big pressures of pro hockey didn't come easily." He integrated practices like during the 2012 lockout to reconnect with his heritage, emphasizing how his Moose Factory upbringing provided the foundation for his success while inspiring others: "I never thought I'd make it from , but I made it, and that's the highlight."

Achievements and records

Awards and honors

In 2005–06, Jonathan Cheechoo won the as the NHL's leading goal scorer with 56 goals during his peak scoring season with the . The following season, Cheechoo was selected as a fan-voted starter for the 2007 NHL All-Star Game, representing the Western Conference alongside teammate . During his time in the , Cheechoo earned a spot in the 2013–14 KHL while playing for Medveščak . After retiring from professional play, Cheechoo was inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023, recognizing his 16-year career that included becoming the second Indigenous player in NHL history to score more than 50 goals in a season. As a member of the San Jose Sharks Alumni Foundation, Cheechoo has been recognized for his contributions to the franchise, including participation in alumni events and community outreach.

Franchise records

Jonathan Cheechoo holds several longstanding franchise records for the , primarily stemming from his prolific 2005–06 season, during which he scored 56 goals to lead the NHL and claim the Trophy. This total remains the Sharks' single-season record for goals, surpassing the previous mark by 12 and underscoring his peak scoring efficiency alongside linemate . In the same season, Cheechoo set the franchise record for power-play goals with 24, leveraging his from the right circle to capitalize on Thornton's playmaking. He also achieved five hat tricks that year, establishing the ' single-season record for multi-goal games. Over his career from 2002 to 2009, Cheechoo tallied nine hat tricks, a franchise mark that highlights his clutch scoring ability in high-volume games. Cheechoo's overall contributions place him eighth on the Sharks' all-time goals list with 165 (as of 2025), reflecting his consistent production across 440 games. He ranks eleventh in franchise points with 291, combining those goals with 126 assists to cement his legacy as one of the team's top offensive talents.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1996–97Kitchener DutchmenMwJHL4335417633
1997–98Belleville BullsOHL6431457662
1998–99Belleville BullsOHL6335478274
1999–00Belleville BullsOHL66454691102
2000–01Kentucky ThoroughbladesAHL7532346663
2001–02Cleveland BaronsAHL5321254654
2002–03Cleveland BaronsAHL934716
2002–03San Jose SharksNHL66971639
2003–04San Jose SharksNHL8128194733
2004–05HV71 JönköpingSEL2050510
2005–06San Jose SharksNHL8256379358
2006–07San Jose SharksNHL7637326969
2007–08San Jose SharksNHL6923143746
2008–09San Jose SharksNHL6612172959
2009–10Binghamton SenatorsAHL25861437
2009–10Ottawa SenatorsNHL61591420
2010–11Worcester SharksAHL5518294714
2011–12Peoria RivermenAHL7025315624
2012–13Oklahoma City BaronsAHL3513193216
2013–14Medveščak ZagrebKHL5419193840
2014–15Dinamo MinskKHL4924244834
2015–16Dinamo MinskKHL5416223828
2016–17Slovan BratislavaKHL6014264040
OHL totals193111138249238
AHL totals322120148268224
NHL totals501170135305324
KHL totals2177391164142

Playoffs

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
1997–98OHL1042610
1998–99OHL2115153027
1999–00OHL165121716
2000–01AHL30000
2003–04NHL17461010
2005–06NHL114598
2006–07NHL113366
2007–08NHL134484
2008–09NHL61124
2009–10NHL10000
2012–13AHL1739128
2013–14Medveščak ZagrebKHL40228
2014–15Dinamo MinskKHL501118
OHL totals4724295353
AHL totals2039128
NHL totals5916193532
KHL totals903326

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/jonathan-cheechoo-8467357
  2. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/cheecjo01.html
  3. https://www.naiahf.org/team/jonathan-cheechoo/moose-cree-first-nation
  4. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/5529/jonathan-cheechoo
  5. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/jonathan-cheechoo
  6. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/bio/_/id/1154/jonathan-cheechoo
  7. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2013/02/07/barons-jonathan-cheechoo-is-a-long-way-from-moose-factory-ontario/61008382007/
  8. https://africa.espn.com/espn/magazine/archives/news/story?page=magazine-20070312-article42
  9. https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Native-role-model-Sharks-Cheechoo-to-meet-teen-2526130.php
  10. https://salvationist.ca/articles/2009/03/the-way-to-san-jose/
  11. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/cheechoo-had-vision-of-nhl-stardom-1.596744
  12. https://www.timminspress.com/news/local-news/jonathan-cheechoo-honoured-for-his-pro-hockey-career
  13. https://www.intelligencer.ca/2018/03/06/former-ohl-bulls-and-nhl-sharks-star-jonathan-cheechoo-announces-retirement-from-hockey-at-37
  14. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=31215
  15. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0008201998.html
  16. https://www.theahl.com/stats/player/2760
  17. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0008202000.html
  18. https://thehockeywriters.com/where-are-they-now-the-jonathan-cheechoo-edition/
  19. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/280090/2018/03/20/pollak-jonathan-cheechoo/
  20. https://records.nhl.com/sjs/records/skater-records/hat-tricks/most-3-or-more-goal-game-one-season
  21. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2006_leaders.html
  22. https://thecomeback.com/nhl/look-back-bizarre-hockey-career-jonathan-cheechoo.html
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/sports/hockey/13sportsbriefs-heatley.html
  24. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/heatley-shipped-to-sharks-1.842438
  25. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sens-cheechoo/
  26. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/senators-cheechoo-2/
  27. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/69/ottawa-senators/stats/2009-2010/playoffs
  28. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/ottawa-senators-buy-out-jonathan-cheechoos-contract/n-4038400
  29. https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/nhl/story/_/id/25901746/jonathan-cheechoo-being-one-hit-wonder-sharks-fans-youtube-songs
  30. https://theahl.com/news/cheechoo-to-join-worcester
  31. https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/jonathan-cheechhoo-khl-stardom-olympic-buzz-nhl-future-175209559--nhl.html
  32. https://www.espn.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/28724/cheechoos-loving-life-in-croatia
  33. https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/san-jose-sharks-great-jonathan-cheechoo-announces-his-retirement/c-296671748
  34. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/22667418/jonathan-cheechoo-announces-retirement-hockey
  35. https://twitter.com/sanjosesharks/status/977639031944069120
  36. https://anishinabeknews.ca/2017/03/46th-annual-little-native-hockey-league-tournament-is-a-commitment-to-the-health-and-well-being-of-our-communities-and-to-our-youth/
  37. https://anishinabeknews.ca/2018/03/47th-annual-little-nhl-tournament-kicks-off-with-inspirational-opening-ceremony/
  38. https://www.facebook.com/groups/336421063935440/posts/1864027051174826/
  39. https://windspeaker.com/news/sports/former-indigenous-nhl-star-gives-back-his-first-nation-through-hockey-camp
  40. https://nationnews.ca/sports/jonathan-cheechoo-honoured-for-his-pro-hockey-career/
  41. https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/103918/jonathan-cheechoo
  42. https://africa.espn.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=2380934
  43. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25901746/jonathan-cheechoo-being-one-hit-wonder-sharks-fans-youtube-songs
  44. https://firstnationshistory.ca/ontario-moose-cree-first-nation/
  45. https://northernontario.travel/northeastern-ontario/moosonee-guide-moose-factory-island
  46. https://ualberta.scholaris.ca/bitstreams/6af1f85f-1bcc-4839-8583-5abebb34c4da/download
  47. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/finding-his-way-in-san-jose/article728857/
  48. https://ictnews.org/archive/national-hockey-league-embraces-aboriginals/
  49. https://www.nhl.com/sharks/team/nhl-awards
  50. https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/maurice-rocket-richard-trophy
  51. https://www.si.com/uncategorized/2007/01/10/10-32007-nhl-all-star-starters
  52. https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/01/10/2-sharks-votedall-star-starters/amp/
  53. http://nationnews.ca/sports/jonathan-cheechoo-honoured-for-his-pro-hockey-career/
  54. https://sharksalumnifoundation.org/jonathan-cheechoo/
  55. https://records.nhl.com/sjs/records/skater-records/hat-tricks/most-3-or-more-goal-game-career
  56. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/73/san-jose-sharks/stats/all-time
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