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Justin Holl
Justin Holl
Justin Holl
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Justin Gunnar Holl[1] (born January 30, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted in the second round, 54th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Key Information

In 2018, Holl became the first defenseman in Maple Leaf history to record two goals in his first two NHL games. In the same year, he helped the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Toronto Marlies win their first Calder Cup.

Playing career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Holl attended Minnetonka High School from 2007 to 2010. In his senior year at Minnetonka High School, Holl was named co-captain alongside Jake Gardiner and made the honor roll. On November 20, 2009, he signed a commitment agreement with the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the University of Minnesota.[2] At the conclusion of the season, Holl was named a finalist for Minnesota Mr. Hockey, an award given to the best senior high school hockey player in Minnesota.[3]

Collegiate

[edit]

Holl was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round, 54th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; however, he kept his commitment to play for the University of Minnesota.[4] While studying at the University of Minnesota, Holl majored in Finance at the Carlson School of Management.[5] In his first season with the Gophers, he played in 25 games and recorded 7 points, including one goal. After his freshman season, he was invited to Team USA's National Junior Evaluation Camp in August.[6]

In his sophomore season, Holl's role on the Gophers deviated from defence to offence occasionally throughout the year. After recording three goals and seven points, he was presented with the Gophers Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero.[7] The next year, Holl helped the Gophers qualify for the 2014 NCAA Frozen Four where he recorded his first collegiate goal that season with 0.6 seconds left in the game to beat North Dakota 2–1.[8] After his senior season, Holl split his time during the 2014–15 season between Chicago's minor league affiliates: the Indy Fuel of the ECHL and the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL).[9]

Toronto Maple Leafs

[edit]

Since he never signed an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks, Holl was a free agent and signed an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies in 2015. One year later, on July 2, 2016, he signed an NHL entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[10][9] He was assigned to the Marlies for the 2016–17 season. During the 2016–17 season, he was named an alternate captain for the Marlies.

Holl (left foreground) stands with other skaters at the 2018 AHL All-Star Game.

During the 2017–18 season, Holl was selected for the 2018 AHL All-Star Game in Utica, New York.[11][12] He was called up to the NHL on an emergency basis on January 31, 2018, to replace an ill Ron Hainsey.[13][14] He made his NHL debut that night in a game against the New York Islanders. During this game, he scored his first NHL goal to help the Leafs win 5–0.[15][16] It marked the first time since 1978 that a Maple Leafs defenseman scored in his NHL debut.[17][18] On February 1, in a game against the New York Rangers, Holl scored his second NHL goal to become the first Maple Leafs defenseman to score two goals in his first two games.[19][20] As well, he became only the sixth defenseman in NHL history to score in each of his first two games.[20]

He was reassigned to the Marlies on February 3 after defenseman Morgan Rielly was activated off injured reserve.[21] Holl continued to succeed in the AHL, setting a new career-high in points and assists during the regular season. During the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs, he recorded 5 points in 20 games to help the Marlies win their first Calder Cup in franchise history.[22]

Holl with the Toronto Marlies during the 2018 Calder Cup Final.

On July 3, 2018, Holl signed a two-year, $1.35 million contract extension with the Maple Leafs.[23] He attended the Leafs' training camp prior to the 2018–19 season and was named to the opening night roster.[24] He was a healthy scratch for the Leafs' first 12 games of the season, playing in his first game on November 1 against the Dallas Stars.[25] As a result of injuries and illnesses, Holl replaced Igor Ozhiganov in the Leafs lineup[26] and recorded his first career assist in a 7–6 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on March 15, 2019.[27][28]

The following season, Holl entered a bigger role with the Leafs after the firing of Mike Babcock. He consistently played on one of the Leafs top pairings alongside Jake Muzzin[29] and later Travis Dermott due to injuries.[30] In this increased role, he earned his first multi point game on December 11 against the Vancouver Canucks.[31] He eventually signed a three-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs on December 31 before their game against his hometown team, the Minnesota Wild.[32]

Detroit Red Wings

[edit]

On July 1, 2023, Holl left the Maple Leafs as a free agent and was signed to a three-year, $10.4 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings.[33][34]

Personal life

[edit]

His father Jerry is an author who published a book detailing his bike ride from Alaska to Mexico.[35]

Holl’s cousin Mike Erickson also played hockey for the University of Minnesota and was drafted 72nd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.[5][36] He married his fiancé Audrey in August 2019.[37]

Career statistics

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Minnetonka High USHS 24 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2008–09 Minnetonka High USHS 28 1 6 7 4 — — — — —
2009–10 Minnetonka High USHS 25 17 14 31 8 6 3 3 6 0
2009–10 Omaha Lancers USHL 11 0 4 4 6 8 1 1 2 4
2010–11 University of Minnesota WCHA 25 1 6 7 12 — — — — —
2011–12 University of Minnesota WCHA 43 3 8 11 34 — — — — —
2012–13 University of Minnesota WCHA 35 3 4 7 10 — — — — —
2013–14 University of Minnesota B1G 39 1 12 13 20 — — — — —
2014–15 Indy Fuel ECHL 66 7 27 34 39 — — — — —
2014–15 Rockford IceHogs AHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 60 5 16 21 15 15 0 4 4 2
2016–17 Toronto Marlies AHL 72 8 11 19 30 11 1 6 7 2
2017–18 Toronto Marlies AHL 60 7 21 28 34 20 3 2 5 16
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 2 2 0 2 0 — — — — —
2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 11 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 68 2 16 18 43 5 0 0 0 2
2020–21 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 55 2 18 20 25 7 0 1 1 4
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 69 3 20 23 41 5 0 1 1 6
2022–23 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 80 2 16 18 39 8 0 1 1 11
2023–24 Detroit Red Wings NHL 38 0 5 5 22 — — — — —
2024–25 Detroit Red Wings NHL 73 2 6 8 16 — — — — —
NHL totals 396 13 82 95 188 25 0 3 3 23

Awards and honors

[edit]
Award Year
College
All-WCHA Academic 2012, 2013 [38]
AHL
All-Star Game 2018 [11]
Calder Cup (Toronto Marlies) 2018 [39]

References

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

Justin Holl

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Justin Holl (born January 30, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently under contract with the of the National Hockey League (NHL) and playing for their (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and weighing 205 pounds (93 kg), he shoots right-handed and is known for his shutdown defensive style. Holl was selected by the in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft after captaining his high school team at Minnetonka High School in , where he recorded 31 points in 25 games during the 2009–10 season. He then played one season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the , contributing 4 points in 11 games, before committing to the , where he skated for the Golden Gophers from 2010 to 2014, amassing 38 points in 142 NCAA games and reaching the 2014 national championship final. After not being signed by the Blackhawks following and becoming an unrestricted , Holl began his professional career in the with the in 2014–15 before moving to the AHL's , the Blackhawks' affiliate, for parts of three seasons. He signed as a with the organization on July 2, 2016, and spent the 2016–17 season with the AHL's , helping them win the in 2018 after posting 70 points in 201 AHL games overall with the team. Holl made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs on January 31, 2018, becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to score goals in his first two games, and went on to play 285 regular-season games with over five seasons, recording 82 points (11 goals, 71 assists) with a +58 plus-minus rating. On July 1, 2023, Holl signed a three-year, $10.2 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent, where he played 111 games across the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, adding 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists). Entering the 2025–26 season, he was assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins on October 6, 2025, after appearing in the preseason with Detroit, and as of November 2025 has recorded 2 points in 8 AHL games. Over his NHL career spanning 396 games with Toronto and Detroit, Holl has totaled 95 points (13 goals, 82 assists) and a +59 rating, establishing himself as a reliable stay-at-home defenseman capable of logging over 20 minutes per game. He was also selected to the 2018 AHL All-Star Game during his time with the Marlies.

Background

Early life

Justin Holl was born on January 30, 1992, in Tonka Bay, Minnesota, a small community in the greater Minnetonka area near the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan region. He grew up in a family with strong ties to athletics and literature; his father, Jerry Holl, is an author known for works such as Downhills Don't Come Free, a detailing a cross-continental journey from to . Holl's cousin, Mike Erickson, also pursued hockey, playing collegiately at the and after being selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the . Raised in Minnesota's hockey-centric culture, Holl developed an early passion for the sport amid the state's renowned youth programs and frozen ponds that foster the game from a young age. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area, often called the "State of Hockey," provided a supportive environment where local rinks and community leagues introduced him to organized play, allowing steady progression from introductory levels to more competitive youth teams. This foundational exposure honed his skills in a region that produces numerous NHL talents, emphasizing teamwork and resilience in cold-weather conditions. Holl's high school career took shape at Minnetonka High School, where he played for the Skippers under coach Brian Urick. As a senior in the 2009-10 season, he served as team captain and led Minnetonka to the Section 6AA championship, recording 37 points (20 goals and 17 assists) in 31 games. That year, the team advanced to the state tournament, showcasing Holl's emerging leadership and defensive prowess on the blue line. His performance drew attention from scouts, culminating in his selection by the in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft—though he ultimately did not sign with the team and opted for collegiate development.

Personal life

Holl married his wife, , in August 2019. As of 2025, he resides in the area, where he is affiliated with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the . Holl majored in at the University of Minnesota's , completing his degree in three years and supplementing it with coursework as a foundation for potential post-hockey pursuits. His father, Jerry Holl, is an author whose 2017 book Downhills Don't Come Free recounts a solo journey from to , an endeavor that emphasized perseverance and has influenced Justin's personal values of optimism and resilience amid professional challenges. Holl's cousin, Mike Erickson, followed a similar path in hockey, playing collegiately at the and after being selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the .

Playing career

Collegiate career

Justin Holl enrolled at the in 2010, where he played four seasons for the Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team from 2010 to 2014, initially in the (WCHA) before the program's transition to the in 2013-14. As a major at the , Holl balanced his athletic commitments with academics, earning three-time all-conference academic honors, including selections to the All-WCHA Academic Team in 2012 and 2013. Over 142 games, Holl accumulated 38 points, consisting of 8 goals and 30 assists, while serving as a four-year letterwinner and contributing to the team's defensive stability. His role evolved during his collegiate tenure; entering as a forward, he transitioned to defense by his year, though he occasionally shifted back to forward in later seasons, such as playing forward for much of the second half of the 2012-13 campaign. This versatility highlighted his adaptability, with his senior season (2013-14) marking a career-high 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists) in 39 games, including a pivotal game-winning goal with 0.6 seconds remaining in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinal against , propelling to the game. Holl's contributions aided the Golden Gophers' success, including two Frozen Four appearances in 2012 and 2014, as well as three consecutive regular-season conference championships—WCHA titles in 2012 and 2013, followed by the inaugural Big Ten regular-season crown in 2014. In recognition of his team-first efforts during the 2012-13 season, he received the Dr. V. Unsung Hero Award from the program. Following his graduation in 2014, Holl chose not to sign an entry-level contract with the , who had drafted him in the second round (54th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, opting instead to begin his professional career in the .
SeasonGames PlayedGoalsAssistsPoints
2010-1125167
2011-12433811
2012-1335347
2013-143911213
Career14283038

Toronto Maple Leafs

After completing his collegiate career, Holl signed an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies in July 2015, following a 2014–15 ECHL season with the Indy Fuel where he recorded 34 points (7 goals, 27 assists) in 66 games. Over the next three seasons with the Marlies, Holl steadily progressed, posting 21 points in 60 games during 2015–16, 19 points in 72 games in 2016–17, and a career-high 28 points in 60 games in 2017–18. On July 2, 2016, he inked a one-year entry-level NHL contract with the Maple Leafs, solidifying his place in the organization. Holl's breakthrough came in the 2018 AHL playoffs, where he contributed 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in 20 games to help the Marlies capture the , their first championship in franchise history; he appeared in every postseason contest. That same year, his regular-season performance earned him a selection to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic. Holl made his NHL debut on January 31, 2018, against the , scoring twice in a 5–0 shutout victory—becoming the first Maple Leafs defenseman to record multiple goals in his initial two games, with the second coming the following night versus the Rangers. He transitioned to a full-time NHL role starting in 2018–19, appearing in 285 games over five seasons through 2022–23 and accumulating 82 points (11 goals, 71 assists). As a reliable shutdown defenseman, Holl often paired with or on the second or third lines, emphasizing defensive zone coverage and puck retrievals while averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game across his Toronto tenure. His contributions extended to the playoffs from 2020 to 2023, where he logged 25 games with 2 assists, including key shifts in penalty kill situations during Toronto's postseason runs. Holl's contract progression reflected his growing reliability: after his entry-level deal, he signed a two-year, $1.35 million extension in July 2018, followed by a three-year, $6 million pact in December 2019 that carried a $2 million cap hit through 2022–23. Amid cap constraints and defensive depth questions, trade speculation surrounded him ahead of the 2023 deadline, though retained him as a . In his final season with the Leafs (2022–23), Holl played all 80 regular-season games, tallying 18 points (2 goals, 16 assists) with a +15 rating and 139 blocked shots, while avoiding major injuries despite occasional lineup tweaks.

Detroit Red Wings

On July 1, 2023, Holl signed a three-year contract worth $10.2 million with the as an unrestricted , carrying an average annual value of $3.4 million. In the 2023-24 season, Holl served as a third-pairing defenseman for , appearing in 38 games with no goals and five assists for five points, alongside a plus-8 rating and 22 penalty minutes. His role emphasized defensive responsibilities, where he recorded 39 blocked shots and 59 hits, averaging 15:04 of ice time per game. Holl's playing time increased during the 2024-25 season, as he played 73 games for the Red Wings, contributing two goals and six assists for eight points with a minus-7 rating and 16 penalty minutes. Averaging 14:47 of ice time, he continued in a shutdown capacity but faced criticism for inconsistent performance relative to his contract, including defensive lapses amid the team's rebuilding efforts under coach . No major injuries disrupted his season, though adaptation to Detroit's evolving defensive systems highlighted ongoing challenges in maintaining his prior shutdown effectiveness. Entering the 2025-26 season, Holl's NHL opportunities remained limited; after appearing in two games with one assist and two penalty minutes, he was placed on waivers on October 5, 2025, cleared them, and was assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the on October 6. As of November 16, 2025, Holl has played eight games with the Griffins, recording two assists, a plus-6 rating, and two penalty minutes while providing veteran leadership on the blue line and averaging significant ice time in a top-four role. Holl's contract expires after the 2025-26 season, prompting trade discussions in 2025 as seeks to clear cap space and integrate younger prospects, with potential suitors including teams needing defensive depth like the or . A return to the NHL lineup remains possible if injuries or performance gaps arise on 's roster.

Career achievements

Awards and honors

During his senior year at Minnetonka High School in 2009-10, Holl earned all-Classic Lake Conference, all-Metro, and all-state honors while serving as team captain and leading the Skippers to the Section 6AA championship. He was also named a finalist for the Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award, recognizing the state's top senior boys' hockey player. At the , Holl received All-WCHA Academic Team honors in 2012 and 2013 for his performance on the ice and in the classroom. These selections underscored his reliability as a defenseman, contributing to team successes like the 2014 Big Ten regular-season championship. In the , Holl was selected for the after a breakout season with the , where he recorded 28 points in 60 regular-season games. He further cemented his defensive prowess by winning the as a key contributor on the Marlies' championship team that year, logging significant minutes in the playoffs. Holl has not received major individual awards at the NHL level during his tenure with the or , though his steady, shutdown defensive play has earned internal recognition for reliability in penalty-kill situations and against top opponents. As of November 2025, no additional AHL honors have been documented for his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

NHL Regular Season

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2017–1822020+5
2018–19110112–5
2019–20682161843+13
2020–21552182025+16
2021–22693202341+14
2022–23802161839+15
2023–243805522+8
2024–257326816–7
Total396138295188+59

NHL Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2019–2050002–3
2020–2170114+5
2021–2250116+2
2022–23801111–7
Total2503323–3

AHL Regular Season

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2014–15Rockford IceHogs20000–1
2015–16Toronto Marlies605162115+32
2016–17Toronto Marlies728111930+5
2017–18Toronto Marlies607212834+23
2025–26Grand Rapids Griffins80222+6
Total20220507081+65

AHL Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2015–16150442+1
2016–17111672+4
2017–182032516+7
Total464121620+12

ECHL

In the 2014–15 season with the , Holl recorded 7 goals and 27 assists for 34 points in 66 games, along with 39 penalty minutes and a –4 rating.

NCAA

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2010–112516712
2011–1243381134
2012–133534710
2013–14391121320
Total1428303876

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/redwings/player/justin-holl-8475718
  2. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/46905/justin-holl
  3. https://griffinshockey.com/news/detroit-assigns-justin-holl-to-grand-rapids
  4. https://gophersports.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/justin-holl/5178
  5. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/hollju01.html
  6. https://theahl.com/stats/player/5824
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/229877/2018/02/02/justin-holl-jerry-father-jake-gardiner-toronto-maple-leafs-minnetonka/
  8. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/12492/mike-erickson
  9. https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2010/6/9/1509628/2010-nhl-draft-prospect-justin-holl
  10. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/540831/2018/09/23/justin-holl-the-lanky-kid-who-should-have-quit-now-on-the-cusp-of-the-leafs/
  11. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/bio/_/id/5763/justin-holl
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2399283/2021/02/24/kyle-dubas-big-find-maple-leafs-justin-holl/
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/33068/2017/01/09/meet-justin-holl-the-hidden-gem-playing-on-the-marlies-blueline/
  14. https://www.amazon.com/Downhills-Dont-Come-Free-Alaska/dp/1634899423
  15. https://gophersports.com/news/2018/1/31/Holl_Scores_in_NHL_Debut_with_Toronto
  16. https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/6/19/4443998/gophers-hockey-minnesota-hands-out-end-of-season-awards
  17. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0073122015.html
  18. https://indyfuelhockey.com/news/2018/06/justin-holl-wins-calder-cup-with-toronto-marlies
  19. https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-tor/2018/01/31/2017020773
  20. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4215090/2023/02/17/justin-holls-maple-leafs/
  21. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/justin-holl-playoff-stats
  22. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-sign-defenceman-justin-holl-three-year-extension/
  23. https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2023/03/03/nhl-rumours-maple-leafs-justin-holl-trade-list/
  24. https://www.rotowire.com/hockey/player/justin-holl-3583
  25. https://www.ilitchnewshub.com/post/detroit-red-wings-sign-defenseman-justin-holl-to-three-year-contract
  26. https://octopusthrower.com/detroit-red-wings-blue-liner-justin-holl-fails-the-grade-after-a-tough-season-01jw3vkeq17k
  27. https://thehockeywriters.com/red-wings-2023-24-final-grades-defense/
  28. https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/red-wings-reduce-roster-to-23-2025
  29. https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/justin-holl/2857/page1
  30. https://griffinshockey.com/stats
  31. https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/10/detroit-red-wings-shopping-defensemen.html
  32. https://octopusthrower.com/red-wings-ideal-trade-partner-help-them-solve-annoying-problem
  33. https://detroithockeynow.com/2025/10/27/gustafsson-erik-grand-rapids-griffins-nhl-trade-rumors-justin-holl/
  34. https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/justin-holl/
  35. https://www.nhl.com/player/justin-holl-8475718
  36. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=123841
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