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Nick Paul
Nick Paul
from Wikipedia

Nicholas Paul (born March 20, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round, 101st overall, of the 2013 NHL entry draft. He has also played for the Ottawa Senators.

Key Information

Early life

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Paul was born on March 20, 1995, in Mississauga, Ontario,[1] to parents Ellwood and Melinda. He holds dual citizenship between Canada and the United States due to his mother being an American citizen.[2] Growing up, his father and half brother Christopher built a backyard rink for Paul and his older brother Jesse to use for practice.[3] As a youth, Paul was friends with Max Domi and attended Toronto Maple Leafs games with him.[4]

Playing career

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Junior

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While growing up in Mississauga, Paul played minor midget hockey for the Mississauga Chargers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). During his 2011–12 season with the Chargers, Paul scored three goals and two assists for five points.[5] While standing at only 5-foot-6 during his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft eligibility year, Paul tallied four goals and 25 points in 37 games.[6] Despite failing to be drafted into the OHL in his first year of eligibility, Paul was later selected by the Brampton Battalion, (later the North Bay Battalion) as an overaged player.[7] After his first season with the Battalion, where he scored 12 goals and 28 points, Paul was selected 101st overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2013 NHL entry draft.[5]

Following the draft, Paul returned to the Battalion and continued his scoring prowess. By October 14, Paul led the team with five goals in eleven games.[8] This continued throughout the season as he accumulated 37 goals and 29 assists through 58 regular-season games under coach Stan Butler.[9] As such, he helped lead the team to the OHL's Eastern Conference Finals against the Oshawa Generals. Throughout the post-season, Paul maintained a four-game goal scoring streak and was tied for second in goal scoring with nine through 15 games.[10] Following the playoffs, Paul's NHL rights were traded by the Stars on July 1, 2014, along with Alex Chiasson, Alex Guptill, and a 2015 second-round pick, to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Jason Spezza and Ludwig Karlsson.[11]

Paul re-joined the Battalion for his final season in the OHL during the 2014–15 season. By December, he had accumulated 19 goals and 34 points through 27 regular-season games and subsequently signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Senators on December 20, 2014.[12] Upon joining the Senators for their 2015 development camp, he measured at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 225 pounds (102 kg).[9]

Professional

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Ottawa Senators

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Paul signed with Ottawa and made his professional debut with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators in the 2014–15 season. He finished with six goals and 11 assists in 45 games with Binghamton. Paul was assigned to Binghamton by Ottawa for the 2015–16 season also. Paul was called up in February 2016 and made his NHL debut on February 16, 2016, against the Buffalo Sabres.[13] He recorded his first career NHL goal on February 24, 2016, in a 4–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.[14]

On July 16, 2018, Paul signed a one-year contract extension with the Senators.[15] On July 2, 2019, Paul re-signed with the Senators for another season.[16] Paul struggled to break into Ottawa's lineup under coach Guy Boucher.[17] At the end of the 2019 training camp, Paul was placed on waivers but went unclaimed and was assigned to the Senators AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.[18] Paul became a regular NHL player during the 2019–20 season, setting a new high in games played in the NHL with 56.[19] After Erik Gudbranson was traded away by the Senators during the 2020–21 season, Paul was named an alternate captain. That season Paul established himself as one of the team's top penalty killers. Paul was named the Senators' nominee for the NHL's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy at the end of the season.[18] During the 2021–22 season, Paul was used all over the lineup by coach D. J. Smith, slotting in wherever the coach needed a hole in the lineup filled. However, contract negotiations stalled with the Senators and Paul was made available for a trade by the organization.[20]

Tampa Bay Lightning

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On March 20, 2022, just a day before the trade deadline, Paul was traded by Ottawa to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.[21] He scored his first goal as a Lightning on March 22 versus the Carolina Hurricanes.[22] Paul made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in the first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.[22] In the seventh game of series against the Maple Leafs, Paul scored his first two playoff goals, including the series winner.[23] Paul helped the Lightning advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for their third successive season[24] and contributed with 5 goals and 9 points through 23 games before losing to the Colorado Avalanche.[25]

On July 1, 2022, Paul opted to forego free-agency in agreeing to a seven-year, $22.05 million contract extension to remain with the Lightning.[26] Paul helped the Lightning to the playoffs again during the 2022–23 season. They faced the Maple Leafs in the first round again and with Toronto leading the series 3–1 and the Lightning facing elimination in Game 5, Paul scored the game-winning goal to keep the Lightning in the series.[27] However, the Maple Leafs eliminated the Lightning in the following game.[28]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Canada
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 Latvia

Paul made his international debut for Canada with the national junior team at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He finished the tournament with three goals in seven games to help Canada win a gold medal.[29]

Paul was chosen to represent Team Canada again at the senior level for the 2021 IIHF World Championship. Paul scored at 6:26 of the first overtime in the gold medal game against Finland to give Canada its 21st all-time gold medal.[30]

Following the Tampa Bay Lightning's ouster in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Paul again joined Team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Championship.[31]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Mississauga Chargers OJHL 9 3 2 5 4
2012–13 Brampton Battalion OHL 66 12 16 28 21 5 0 1 1 0
2013–14 North Bay Battalion OHL 67 26 20 46 39 22 12 6 18 10
2014–15 North Bay Battalion OHL 58 37 29 66 49 15 7 8 15 6
2015–16 Binghamton Senators AHL 45 6 11 17 10
2015–16 Ottawa Senators NHL 24 2 3 5 6
2016–17 Binghamton Senators AHL 72 15 22 37 30
2016–17 Ottawa Senators NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Belleville Senators AHL 54 14 13 27 40
2017–18 Ottawa Senators NHL 11 1 0 1 0
2018–19 Belleville Senators AHL 43 16 23 39 29
2018–19 Ottawa Senators NHL 20 1 1 2 4
2019–20 Ottawa Senators NHL 56 9 11 20 24
2019–20 Belleville Senators AHL 3 1 3 4 0
2020–21 Ottawa Senators NHL 56 5 15 20 19
2021–22 Ottawa Senators NHL 59 11 7 18 22
2021–22 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 21 5 9 14 17 23 5 4 9 6
2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 80 17 15 32 33 6 1 0 1 2
2023–24 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 82 24 22 46 27 5 2 0 2 6
2024–25 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 76 22 19 41 30 5 2 0 2 2
NHL totals 486 97 102 199 182 39 10 4 14 16

International

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Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 3 0 3 2
2021 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 2 4 4
2024 Canada WC 4th 10 3 3 6 4
Junior totals 7 3 0 3 2
Senior totals 20 5 5 10 8

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Nick Paul (born March 20, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays left wing for the of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) and weighing 234 pounds (106 kg), Paul is known for his physical presence, strong work ethic, and versatility on the ice, often contributing in bottom-six roles while providing energy and penalty-killing support. Hailing from , , he developed his skills in local youth hockey programs before advancing through the (OHL). Paul's junior career began with the Brampton Battalion in the OHL during the 2012–13 season, where he recorded 28 points in 66 games, before moving to the North Bay Battalion for the following two years. In 2014–15, as team captain for North Bay, he achieved a junior-high of 66 points in 58 games, helping lead the team to a strong playoff performance. Selected in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars, Paul's rights were traded to the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2014, as part of the package that sent Jason Spezza to Dallas, which included Alex Chiasson, Alex Guptill, and a 2015 second-round pick. He made his NHL debut with Ottawa during the 2015–16 season, appearing in 24 games and tallying five points while splitting time with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. Throughout his NHL tenure, Paul established himself as a reliable depth forward, playing 227 games with Ottawa from 2015 to 2022 and accumulating 66 points. On March 20, 2022—his 27th birthday—he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Mathieu Joseph and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, where he quickly integrated into the lineup and contributed to their playoff run, including scoring both goals in a Game 7 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He signed a seven-year contract extension with the Lightning on July 1, 2022. Since joining Tampa Bay full-time in the 2022–23 season, Paul has reached career highs, including 24 goals and 46 points in 82 games during 2023–24, and he notched his 100th NHL assist on March 15, 2025, against the Boston Bruins. As of the 2024–25 season, he played 76 games for the Lightning, recording 41 points with a plus-13 rating. As of November 2025, Paul has yet to appear in the 2025–26 season due to recovery from upper-body surgery in September 2025, with a return expected soon. Internationally, Paul represented at the 2015 , where he won a and contributed three goals in seven games. He later debuted for the senior team at the 2021 , earning four points in 10 games, and returned in 2024 for another six points in 10 appearances. Over 486 NHL games entering the 2025–26 season, Paul has tallied 199 points, solidifying his role as a gritty, consistent contributor in professional hockey.

Early career

Early life

Nick Paul was born on March 20, 1995, in , , . Raised in a hockey-focused household, Paul was immersed in the sport from a young age, with his family playing a central role in nurturing his interest. His father, Ellwood Paul, of Irish descent and originally from Powassan, , constructed a backyard rink that became a key venue for family play, while his mother, Melinda Rios-Paul, of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage from , provided unwavering support after relocating to following her marriage to Ellwood. Paul's older brother, Jesse, eight years his senior, further influenced his early exposure by allowing him to watch games and join in on-ice activities, instilling resilience through competitive sibling matchups on the home rink. Paul's initial hockey experiences centered around local rinks in , where he spent considerable time honing basic skills and developing a deep passion for the game. He progressed into organized youth play through the Mississauga Minor Hockey Association and the , competing in minor midget hockey for the Mississauga Senators, an affiliation that emphasized fundamental development in a competitive environment. These formative years in 's hockey community laid the groundwork for Paul's athletic growth, fostering the dedication that propelled him toward organized junior leagues.

Junior hockey

Nick Paul began his organized junior hockey career in the 2011–12 season with the Mississauga Chargers of the (OJHL), where he appeared in 9 games, recording 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points. This brief stint served as an affiliate player (AP) role before transitioning to major junior hockey. In 2012–13, Paul joined the of the (OHL), playing in his rookie season with the team. He suited up for 66 regular-season games, scoring 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points, while accumulating 21 penalty minutes. The Battalion reached the OHL playoffs that year, where Paul contributed 1 point in 5 games. Following the season, Paul was selected by the in the fourth round, 101st overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The relocated to North Bay for the 2013–14 season, and Paul emerged as a key contributor, posting career-best numbers at that point with 26 goals and 20 assists for 46 points in 67 games. His performance helped the team advance deep into the OHL playoffs, where they reached the Western Conference Finals; Paul excelled with 12 goals and 6 assists for 18 points in 22 games. In his final junior season (2014–15), Paul served as an alternate captain ("A") for the and led the team offensively with 37 goals and 29 assists for 66 points in 58 regular-season games. The again made a strong playoff showing, reaching the conference finals, with Paul recording 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points in 15 games. Over his three OHL seasons, Paul totaled 140 points in 191 games, establishing himself as a reliable two-way forward known for his size and scoring touch.

Professional career

Ottawa Senators

Nick Paul was acquired by the Ottawa Senators from the on July 1, 2014, as part of a blockbuster trade that sent center and prospect Ludwig Karlsson to in exchange for forward , prospects Alex Guptill and Paul, along with a 2015 second-round draft pick. Paul, originally selected by in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract with on December 20, 2014. He began his professional career with 's (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, in the 2015–16 season, recording 6 goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 45 games and showcasing his physical presence as a 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), 234 lb (106 kg) forward. Paul continued developing in the AHL during the 2015-16 season with Binghamton before earning his first NHL call-up in February 2016. He made his NHL debut on February 16, 2016, in a 2-1 shootout victory against the . In his fourth NHL appearance, Paul scored his first career goal on February 23, 2016, in a 4-1 win over the , assisted by and . Over the next few seasons, Paul shuttled between the NHL and AHL, appearing in limited NHL games (24 in 2015-16 with 2 goals and 3 assists; 1 game in 2016-17; 11 games with 1 goal in 2017-18; 20 games with 1 goal and 1 assist in 2018-19) while honing his game in Binghamton/Belleville, where he tallied 37 points in 72 games in 2016-17 and 39 points in 43 games in 2018-19. Establishing himself as a full-time NHL player starting in the 2019-20 season, Paul filled a bottom-six forward for , valued for his physicality, faceoff reliability, and contributions on the penalty kill. In 2019-20, he recorded 9 goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 56 games, followed by 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points in 56 games during the shortened 2020-21 season, where he also scored his first short-handed goal. In 2021-22, prior to his , Paul had 11 goals and 7 assists in 59 games. His emerged during these years; he was named an alternate for multiple games in April-May 2021 after Erik Gudbranson's trade, joining the Senators' group as a reliable presence. He served in a similar alternate for games from October 2021 through March 2022. On March 20, 2022, Paul was traded to the in exchange for forward and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, concluding his tenure with after 227 regular-season games, 29 goals, and 37 assists.

Nick Paul was acquired by the from the on March 20, 2022, in exchange for forward and a 2024 fourth-round draft pick. He made an immediate impact in the 2021-22 , contributing 5 goals and 9 points in 23 games as the Lightning advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the in six games. Notably, Paul scored both goals in a 2-1 Game 7 victory over the in the first round, helping overcome a 3-2 series deficit. In his first full season with the during 2022-23, Paul established himself as a reliable middle-six forward, recording 17 goals and 32 points in 80 games while posting a +11 plus-minus rating. He built on that performance in 2023-24, achieving career highs with 24 goals, 22 assists, and 46 points over 82 games, despite a team-worst -16 plus-minus amid Tampa Bay's inconsistent season. Paul continued his scoring prowess in 2024-25, tallying 22 goals, 19 assists, and 41 points in 76 games with a +13 rating, including three game-winning goals that underscored his clutch contributions. His durability was evident, as he missed only six games that year before undergoing upper-body in mid-September 2025, expected to miss the start of the 2025–26 season; as of mid-November 2025, he continued to recover and had not yet returned to game action. On July 1, 2022, Paul signed a seven-year contract extension with the worth $22.05 million, carrying an average annual value of $3.15 million through the 2028-29 season. As a versatile left winger capable of playing center, he has served as a key depth player and penalty killer, logging significant minutes in playoff runs, including the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. Paul's and physical presence have made him a staple in Tampa Bay's bottom-six forward group, contributing to their sustained contention in the Eastern Conference.

International career

World Juniors

Nick Paul was selected to Team Canada for the 2015 IIHF World Under-20 Championship, held across and from December 26, 2014, to January 5, 2015. His inclusion came after a breakout 2014–15 season with the of the , where he posted 37 goals and 66 points in 58 games, showcasing his size, physicality, and scoring touch that made him a valuable depth addition to the roster. Previously overlooked for international junior play, Paul described the opportunity as a long-awaited dream realized. Playing primarily as a checking forward on the third and fourth lines, Paul contributed to Canada's balanced attack and defensive structure throughout the tournament, leveraging his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame to win puck battles and provide energy in limited ice time. In seven games, he recorded three goals and three assists for six points, tying for 17th in tournament scoring among all players. His goals included one in the 8–0 preliminary-round rout of on opening day, another in the 8–0 quarterfinal shutout of to extend the lead to 6–0 in the third period, and the second goal of the gold-medal final against just 2:32 in, helping build an early 2–0 advantage en route to a 5–4 victory. Paul's efforts helped Canada secure its first World Juniors gold medal on home ice since the 1985 tournament, also held in Toronto, capping a dominant 7–0 run that included outscoring opponents 51–14 overall. As a bottom-six forward, his physical presence and timely scoring exemplified the team's depth, which was crucial in high-stakes games like the final where Canada withstood a late Russian rally to claim the 16th junior world title in program history.

Senior international

Paul made his senior international debut with Team at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, held as a bubble tournament in , . He earned his selection following a breakout 2020–21 NHL season with the , where he recorded 9 goals and 11 assists in 55 games, showcasing his physical style and bottom-six reliability. Playing as a depth forward, Paul emphasized physicality and contributed on the penalty kill, appearing in all 10 games for . He tallied 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points, with his most notable contribution being the overtime game-winning goal in the gold medal final against , securing a 3–2 victory and 's 27th world championship title. Paul returned to Team Canada for the in and , Czechia, selected after a career-best with the , in which he posted 24 goals and 46 points in 82 games. Again serving as a physical depth forward and penalty killer, he played in 10 games, registering 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points while posting a +6 plus-minus rating. advanced to the semifinals but lost 3–1 to before falling 4–2 to in the game, finishing fourth overall. As of November 2025, Paul has not made additional senior international appearances beyond the 2021 and 2024 tournaments.

Career statistics and awards

Regular season and playoffs

Nick Paul has appeared in 486 National Hockey League (NHL) games over his career, recording 97 goals, 102 assists, 199 points, and a -20 plus-minus rating, along with 182 penalty minutes. His NHL career spans from the 2015–16 season with the to the 2024–25 season with the . The following table summarizes Paul's year-by-year NHL regular season statistics:
SeasonTeamGPGAPts+/-PIM
2015–16OTT24235-36
2016–17OTT1000-20
2017–18OTT11101-40
2018–19OTT20112-104
2019–20OTT5691120024
2020–21OTT5651520519
2021–22OTT5911718-1822
2021–22TBL215914417
2022–23TBL801715321133
2023–24TBL82242246-1627
2024–25TBL762219411330
Total48697102199-20182
These statistics reflect his progression from limited roles in to a more prominent offensive contributor after his trade to in March 2022. In the (AHL), Paul played 217 regular season games primarily with the Binghamton and affiliates, tallying 52 goals, 72 assists, 124 points, a -14 plus-minus rating, and 109 penalty minutes. Paul has participated in 39 NHL playoff games, accumulating 10 goals, 4 assists, 14 points, a -9 plus-minus rating, and 16 penalty minutes. His postseason experience includes the 2021–22 with , where he recorded 5 goals and 4 assists in 23 games during their successful run to . The following table summarizes Paul's year-by-year NHL playoff statistics:
SeasonTeamGPGAPts+/-PIM
2021–22TBL2354906
2022–23TBL6101-12
2023–24TBL5202-46
2024–25TBL5202-42
Total3910414-916
Paul's goal production has shown a marked increase following his 2022 trade to , with career highs of 24 goals in the 2023–24 regular season and consistent 20-plus goal output in recent years, establishing him as a reliable middle-six forward.

International statistics

Nick Paul competed for Team Canada in the 2015 , the 2021 , and the 2024 , where he recorded the following statistics.
TournamentGPGAP+/-Medal
2015 World Juniors7303+6Gold
2021 World Championship10224-1Gold
2024 World Championship10336+6None
Total278513+11
Canada secured the gold medal in both tournaments during Paul's appearances.

Awards and honors

Nick Paul has received several accolades throughout his hockey career, spanning junior, professional, and international levels. In the (OHL), he was awarded the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as the Humanitarian of the Year in 2014–15 for his off-ice contributions, including community initiatives that supported awareness. On the international stage, Paul contributed to Canada's at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he recorded three goals in seven games, including a performance in the tournament final. He later played a pivotal role in securing another for at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, scoring the overtime-winning goal in the final against to clinch the 3–2 victory and Canada's 21st title in the event. In the NHL, Paul earned recognition for his leadership and resilience. During the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons with the Ottawa Senators, he was selected as an alternate captain for multiple games, reflecting his growing influence on the team. After joining the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022, he continued in this role, serving as an alternate captain in various games across the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. Additionally, at the end of the 2020–21 season, the Senators nominated him for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, honoring his perseverance through career challenges and his advocacy for mental health. In the 2024–25 season with the , Paul emerged as a key contributor, scoring three game-winning goals in 76 regular-season games, though he did not receive a formal for the .

References

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