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Travis Dermott
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Travis Dermott
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Travis Dermott (born December 22, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He was recently under contract to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dermott was rated as a top prospect projected as a possible first round pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft but was ultimately selected in the second round, 34th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has previously played for the Maple Leafs, the Vancouver Canucks, the Arizona Coyotes, and the Minnesota Wild.

Key Information

In junior, Dermott was drafted by the Erie Otters in the 2012 Ontario Hockey League draft. His tenure with the team stretched over three seasons and he was named to the 2014 First All-Rookie Team. He has also competed with Canada men's national junior ice hockey team at the 2016 IIHF World U20 Championship.

After making his professional career debut in 2016 with the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, Dermott was utilized on the team's penalty-kill and moved to the right hand side as a left-handed shot. He made his NHL debut in 2018 and, after losing to the Boston Bruins in the first round, went on to help the Marlies win their first Calder Cup in franchise history.

Early life

[edit]

Dermott was born on December 22, 1996, in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada[1] to parents Jim and Paula Dermott.[2] He also grew up with an older sister.[3] His mother, who is a retired figure skater, first encouraged him to begin skating before the age of four and eventually signed him up for Timbits hockey.[4] He eventually graduated to the Super 7 Tyke Team in Newmarket by the age of seven with his father as his coach.[5] Growing up, Dermott's favourite team was the Chicago Blackhawks and his favourite player was Duncan Keith.[6] Besides hockey, he also played lacrosse with future Erie Otters teammate Connor McDavid.[7]

Playing career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Dermott began his youth hockey career with the Minor Midget “AAA” York Simcoe Express. During the 2010–11 season, he broke his collarbone twice causing him to only play in 19 games.[8] During his tenure with the Express, Dermott helped the team win five OMHA championships and an OHF peewee title.[9] Scouts witnessed Dermott's success and he was offered a try out with an East Coast select spring hockey team[10] and signed with the Newmarket Hurricanes in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).[8]

He was later drafted by the Erie Otters in the 2012 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft[11] but continued to play with the Newmarket Hurricanes. After being named to the OJHL's 2nd Team All-Stars[12] and Fan Favourite,[13] he committed to play for the Erie Otters on May 4, 2013.[14] During his tenure with the Otters, Dermott attended McDowell High School and was named Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for January 2014.[15] Following a strong first year performance with the Erie Otters in which he scored 28 points in 67 games, Dermott was rewarded when he was named to the 2013–14 OHL First All-Rookie Team.[16]

Dermott with the Otters in 2013.

During following season, Dermott scored 45 points in 61 games, including a franchise record seven-game assist streak which was the longest such stretch by a defenceman. He also led all Erie defencemen in playoff scoring with 17 points[6] earning him a jump in ratings and a projection as a possible first round pick.[17] Dermott attested his scoring prowess as the result of filling in for a suspended Kurtis MacDermid and practicing with former NHL defenceman Jay McKee.[7] The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked Dermott 46th amongst North American skaters,[18] a boost from his midterm ranking of 47.[19]

Dermott was eventually drafted 34th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL entry draft and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with them on July 22, 2015.[20] Prior to his draft, Dermott began training with Dave Harris at Iperformance.[5] He returned to the Otters for his final year of major junior hockey after attending the Leafs training camp.[21] On December 1, 2015, Dermott and teammate Dylan Strome were selected to compete with Team Canada at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[22] Upon returning from Finland empty handed,[23] Dermott was ejected from a game against the Mississauga Steelheads for a hit to the head on Owen Tippett.[24] After the game concluded, he was assessed a five-game suspension following a hearing.[25] Although the Otters qualified for the 2016 OHL Playoffs, they were swept in the OHLs Western Conference final by the London Knights.[26]

Professional

[edit]

Toronto Maple Leafs

[edit]

After the Otters were swept in the Western Conference final, Dermott joined the Toronto Marlies for the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs.[27] He made his professional post-season debut with the Marlies during the third round of the playoffs as a replacement for Stuart Percy[28] before they were ultimately eliminated by the Hershey Bears.[29]

On August 26, 2016, Dermott was selected to compete at the Maple Leafs 2016 Rookie Tournament[30] and their 2016 training camp. After participating in both, he was returned to the Toronto Marlies for their 2016–17 season.[31] Dermott made his AHL debut on October 16, 2016, where he recorded his first career AHL goal and assist in a win against the Utica Comets.[32] He concluded his rookie season with the Marlies having recorded 24 points in 59 games, earning him a second-place finish amongst Marlies defencemen in scoring.[8]

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

The following year, Dermott was again selected to participate in the Leafs Rookie Tournament,[33] but was reassigned to the Marlies to begin the season.[34] He played on a defensive pairing with Timothy Liljegren and earned time on the penalty-kill. Although he was a left-handed shooter, he was moved to the right hand side.[35] Dermott's playmaking ability earned him his first NHL recall on January 5, 2018[35] where he recorded one assist in two games before being sent back down to the Marlies on January 11, 2018.[36] While with the Marlies again, Dermott was named to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic alongside teammate Kasperi Kapanen.[37] Following another recall on January 15 with fellow Marlies player Frédérik Gauthier,[38] he was given the number 23 to wear instead of his usual 3.[39] That night, he scored his first career NHL goal in the leafs 5–0 win against the New York Islanders on January 31.[40] Dermott stayed will the Leafs as they qualified for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Boston Bruins[41] and recorded his first playoff goal during Game 7 to tie the game 3–3, although the Leafs ended up losing the game 7–4.[42] Despite playing in the NHL playoff series, Dermott, Andreas Johnsson, and Kasperi Kapanen remained eligible to compete in the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs.[43] After the Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs, Dermott was sent to the Marlies to help them in their 2018 Calder Cup playoffs run.[44] He ended his rookie campaign with the Leafs recording one goal and 12 assists in 37 regular season games.[43] Upon returning to the Toronto Marlies lineup, he helped them win their first Calder Cup in franchise history following a seven–game playoff series against the Texas Stars.[45]

On the heels of his successful rookie campaign, Dermott began the 2018–19 season with the Leafs in the NHL for the first time in his career.[46] As the youngest defenceman on the Leafs roster, Dermott played on a pairing with Ron Hainsey with the goal of moving him to Morgan Rielly's side.[47] Former head coach Mike Babcock stated that “[Dermott’s issues] are all the things that are no different than Morgan Rielly....Everyone raves about you, but you’re a dash all the time. The puck is going in your net all the time. So you have to figure that out over time. That’s what the league is all about.”[48] He played in 24 games until teammate William Nylander returned to the lineup following a contract dispute on December 2, 2018.[49] Dermott was loaned to the Marlies temporarily to make room for Nylander in the Leafs lineup but returned for their following game against the Buffalo Sabres.[50] Upon returning, he continued to play with the Leafs until February 27, 2019, when he suffered a shoulder injury. As a result, he was out of the lineup for a month before eventually returning to finish the regular season and playoffs with the Leafs.[51] He underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason after the Leafs were eliminated in the first round the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.[52]

Although the 2019–20 season would eventually be delayed due to COVID-19,[53] Dermott began the season in late October as he recovered from his surgery in May.[54] In the final year of his contract, Dermott began seeing playing time on the top defenceman pairing after Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin suffered injuries.[55] Following the hiring of Sheldon Keefe, who Dermott played under with the Marlies, he was paired with Justin Holl to replace those on the top pair.[56] Although he was again shortly sidelined due to an illness, he only missed one game to recover.[57] Under the guidance of Keefe, Dermott averaged nearly 19 minutes of ice time per game playing beside Holl and helped the team outscore opponents 4–1.[58]

On October 23, 2020, Dermott signed a one-year, $874,125 contract extension with the Maple Leafs.[59][60] Dermott played in 51 games with the Leafs that year, scoring two goals and six points but saw his ice time diminish from previous seasons.[61] On July 8, 2021, Dermott signed a two-year, $3 million extension with the Maple Leafs.[61] Dermott was left exposed by the Maple Leafs in the 2021 NHL expansion draft,[62] but the Seattle Kraken chose to select Jared McCann from the Leafs.[63] During the 2021–22 season Dermott played in 43 games with the Maple Leafs scoring one goal and five points. During the season he was surpassed by Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren on the Maple Leafs depth chart.[64]

Vancouver Canucks

[edit]

On March 20, 2022, one day before the trade deadline, Dermott was traded by the Maple Leafs to the Vancouver Canucks, in exchange for a 2022 third-round draft pick.[64] He played in 18 games with the Canucks to finish off the season.[65] During the 2022–23 season Dermott suffered a concussion during a practice on September 27, 2022 and remained out of the lineup until December 29.[66] He played in 11 games with Vancouver before suffering another injury that saw him placed on injured reserve.[65] He missed the rest of the season. At the end of the season Dermott was a restricted free agent. However, the Canucks chose not to provide him with a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.[67]

Arizona Coyotes

[edit]

On July 11, 2023, Dermott was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes for the 2023–24 season. The contract carried an NHL salary of $800,000 and an AHL salary of $450,000.[68] Dermott attracted attention shortly into his tenure with the Coyotes when, during the team's October 21 home opener game, he became the first NHL player to defy the league's new ban on the use of Pride-themed hockey tape.[69] The NHL, NHL Player's Association, and NHL Player Inclusion Coalition reviewed Dermott's action, and ultimately, the ban on Pride tape was rescinded.[70] Dermott had used pride tape regularly since he'd been in the AHL. He had only waited until a new shipment had arrived after misplacing his supply during his move from Vancouver.[71]

Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild

[edit]

Having concluded his tenure with the Coyotes, Dermott as a free agent was un-signed over the summer. On September 14, 2024, Dermott accepted an invitation to attend the Edmonton Oilers training camp for the 2024–25 season on a professional tryout (PTO).[72] Dermott had a successful training camp and his PTO was converted into a one-year, two-way contract with the Oilers for the 2024–25 season.[73] As a depth defenceman, Dermott went scoreless through 10 appearances with the Oilers before he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Minnesota Wild on December 13, 2024.[74] He was reclaimed by the Oilers on February 26, 2025 and was sent down to the Bakersfield Condors.[75]

Personal life

[edit]

Dermott and his dog Niylah appeared in a dog food commercial for Nulo and work as ambassadors.[76] He also signed a multi-year contract with Levelwear Pro-Sports business and club partnership.[77]

He earned the nickname "Skin Doctor" from the Toronto Maple Leafs as a play on his last name Dermott into dermatologist.[78]

Dermott is married to Katerina Di Lucia and has two children, Rosa and James.[79]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Newmarket Hurricanes OJHL 53 1 14 15 24 24 4 11 15 4
2013–14 Erie Otters OHL 67 3 25 28 45 14 0 5 5 8
2014–15 Erie Otters OHL 61 8 37 45 53 19 5 12 17 20
2015–16 Erie Otters OHL 51 6 37 43 65 13 3 11 14 14
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL — — — — — 1 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Toronto Marlies AHL 59 5 19 24 60 11 1 4 5 2
2017–18 Toronto Marlies AHL 28 2 16 18 34 14 1 3 4 18
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 37 1 12 13 8 7 1 0 1 2
2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 64 4 13 17 22 7 1 2 3 2
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 56 4 7 11 37 5 0 1 1 4
2020–21 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 51 2 4 6 19 3 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 43 1 4 5 14 — — — — —
2021–22 Vancouver Canucks NHL 17 1 1 2 0 — — — — —
2022–23 Abbotsford Canucks AHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2022–23 Vancouver Canucks NHL 11 1 0 1 2 — — — — —
2023–24 Arizona Coyotes NHL 50 2 5 7 26 — — — — —
2024–25 Edmonton Oilers NHL 10 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2024–25 Minnesota Wild NHL 9 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2024–25 Bakersfield Condors AHL 3 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
NHL totals 348 16 46 62 130 22 2 3 5 8

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2016 Canada WJC 6th 5 0 2 2 2
Junior totals 5 0 2 2 2

Awards and honours

[edit]
Dermott was awarded the OJHL's Fan Favourite Award in 2013.
Award Year Ref
OJHL
Fan Favorite Award 2013 [13]
2nd Team All-Stars 2013 [12]
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2014 [80]
AHL
Calder Cup champion 2018 [81]
AHL All-Star Classic 2018 [37]

References

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

Travis Dermott

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Travis Dermott (born December 22, 1996) is a Canadian who has played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the , , , and . Drafted in the second round, 34th overall, by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Dermott established himself as an NHL regular during the 2018–19 season after progressing through the with the and the with the . Over his NHL career spanning 348 games, he has recorded 16 goals and 46 assists for 62 points, while maintaining a plus-minus rating of +12, reflecting his role as a reliable defensive presence with occasional offensive contributions. In October 2023, while with the Coyotes, Dermott defied the NHL's then-recent ban on themed stick tape by using Pride Tape during a game, citing personal family connections to the LGBTQ+ community; this action prompted the league to promptly reverse the policy after review. As of 2025, Dermott is affiliated with the organization, including time in the with the .

Early life

Upbringing in Newmarket

Travis Dermott was born on December 22, 1996, in , where he spent his early years. His family home was located near the Ray Twinney Complex arena in Newmarket, the site of his initial skating lessons during childhood. Dermott's mother, a former competitive and coach with the Newmarket Figure Skating Club, introduced him to the ice at age three, fostering his early interest in skating alongside his sister. His parents actively supported his development by transporting him to rinks for practices, often starting in the early morning hours, which helped build his foundational skills in a hockey-centric community. As a young player in Newmarket's minor hockey system, Dermott competed for the York-Simcoe Express teams, sharing the ice with future NHL stars and Sam Bennett during several seasons. Growing up as a fan in the , Dermott's proximity to the team influenced his aspirations from an early age.

Entry into organized hockey

Dermott first learned to skate at the Ray Twinney Recreational Complex in , where public sessions with his mother and older sister introduced him to the ice at age two or three. Once proficient, he transitioned to organized hockey with the York Simcoe Express minor hockey association, a AAA program based in the region. His involvement with the Express spanned eight years, covering (approximately ages 7–8) through minor midget (under-18) divisions, during which he developed foundational skills in competitive youth hockey. The organization emphasized structured play and progression, contributing to his early reputation as a mobile defenseman. His father, Jim Dermott, later served as a coach for him in these youth ranks, providing direct guidance on positioning and puck-handling. This period laid the groundwork for his advancement to junior levels, including stints with local teams before entering major junior drafts. Dermott's early experiences at Ray Twinney and with the Express highlighted a family-influenced entry into the , with his mother's background influencing his initial edge work and balance.

Playing career

Junior career

Dermott was selected by the Erie Otters in the ninth round, 164th overall, of the 2012 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. He began his OHL career with the Otters in the 2013–14 season, appearing in 67 regular-season games and recording 3 goals and 25 assists for 28 points, along with a +35 plus-minus rating. His performance earned him a selection to the OHL First All-Rookie Team. In the 2014–15 season, Dermott elevated his play, tallying 8 goals and 37 assists for 45 points in 61 games, helping the Otters to a strong regular-season finish. During the , he contributed 5 points (likely 0 goals and 5 assists) over 23 games as Erie advanced deep into the postseason. The 2015–16 season saw Dermott limited to 51 regular-season games due to injuries, in which he posted 6 goals and 37 assists for 43 points. He added 2 assists in 3 playoff games before the Otters' elimination. That year, Dermott was named to Canada's roster for the 2016 . Following the OHL playoffs, he signed an entry-level contract with the and joined their affiliate, the , for the playoffs. Dermott's junior tenure culminated in his selection by the in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Over three seasons with , he established himself as one of the league's top offensive defensemen, amassing 116 points in 179 regular-season games.

Toronto Maple Leafs tenure (2015–2022)

The selected Travis Dermott in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team on July 22, 2015, but returned to the of the for the 2015–16 season. Dermott transitioned to professional hockey following his junior season, making his debut with the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, during the 2016–17 season. In 59 games with the Marlies that year, he recorded 5 goals and 24 points. He began the 2017–18 campaign in the AHL before earning a recall to the NHL. Dermott made his NHL debut for the Maple Leafs on January 6, 2018, against the Vancouver Canucks. He scored his first NHL goal on January 31, 2018, against the New York Islanders. Over his Maple Leafs tenure, Dermott appeared in 251 regular-season games, tallying 12 goals and 40 assists. His seasonal NHL statistics with Toronto are as follows:
SeasonGPGAPTS+/-PIM
2017–183711213+168
2018–196441317-522
2019–20564711+1437
2020–2151246-119
2021–2243145+414
Dermott was traded to the on March 20, , in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.

Vancouver Canucks stint (2022–2023)

Dermott was acquired by the from the on March 20, 2022, one day before the NHL trade deadline, in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. In the remaining 17 games of the 2021–22 , he contributed 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points, posting a +5 plus-minus rating while averaging 14:32 of ice time per game. Dermott described the trade as emotional but expressed intent to rebuild his game and confidence on a Canucks team pushing for . The 2022–23 season proved challenging due to injury, as Dermott sustained a in an innocuous collision during a preseason on , 2022. He appeared in only 11 regular-season , recording 1 , a -4 plus-minus rating, 10 hits, and 10 blocked shots before symptoms escalated, sidelining him for nearly the entire campaign on injured reserve. A conditioning loan to AHL affiliate preceded his recall on December 19, 2022, but persistent post-concussion issues limited further play. Dermott became an unrestricted upon expiration of his contract after the season and departed , signing a one-year, $775,000 deal with the on July 11, 2023.

Arizona Coyotes period (2023–2024)

Dermott signed a one-year, with the on July 11, 2023, carrying an NHL-level salary of $800,000. The agreement allowed for assignment to the American Hockey League's if not retained on the NHL roster. Following , Dermott secured a position on the Coyotes' opening night roster, with head coach noting his strong performance and physical play during preseason exhibitions. He primarily served as a bottom-pairing defenseman, contributing to penalty kill units and logging an average of 17:16 ice time per game. In 50 regular-season appearances during the 2023–24 campaign, Dermott recorded 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points, alongside 26 penalty minutes and a -14 plus-minus rating. His goals came on October 14, 2023, against the and March 26, 2024, versus the , while he blocked 52 shots and registered 64 hits over the season. Dermott did not appear in any playoff games, as the Coyotes missed postseason qualification.

Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild involvement (2024–2025)

Dermott signed a one-year, with the on October 8, 2024, worth $775,000 at the NHL level, after attending on a professional tryout agreement. He earned a spot on the Oilers' opening night roster as a depth defenseman, appearing in multiple games during the early portion of the 2024–25 season and contributing defensively with blocks and hits but no points. On December 13, 2024, the Oilers placed Dermott on waivers to accommodate roster adjustments, and he was claimed by the later that day. With the , Dermott filled a similar bottom-pairing role, logging additional games without recording points while providing physical presence through hits and shot-blocking. Across 19 combined appearances for and in the season, he tallied zero goals or assists, six hits, and 16 blocked shots. The Oilers reclaimed Dermott off waivers from the Wild on February 26, 2025, returning him to the organization amid ongoing defensive needs. Shortly thereafter, he was assigned to the Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, to continue development and maintain game readiness. This movement reflected his status as a versatile but journeyman defender navigating limited NHL ice time across both teams during the campaign.

Pride Tape incident

Defiance of NHL policy in 2023

On October 21, 2023, during the ' home opener against the at in , defenseman Travis Dermott affixed rainbow-colored Pride Tape to the shaft of his , becoming the first known NHL player to violate the league's newly implemented uniform policy banning such specialized tape on equipment during games and warmups. The policy, outlined in the NHL's 2023-24 uniform regulations, prohibited players from using tape or other equipment modifications displaying "cause messaging," including Pride Tape, which had been distributed by You Can Play, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, to support hockey's Pride initiatives. Dermott's use of the tape—a subtle application not immediately visible during play—was confirmed post-game through photographs and team acknowledgment, prompting an NHL review for potential discipline. Dermott later explained his decision stemmed from a desire to restore players' ability to express support for inclusion amid the league's restrictions, stating, "Had to be done," and emphasizing that the ban silenced individual voices on social issues. He had previously worn Pride Tape during his tenures with the and without issue, viewing the 2023 policy as an overreach that conflated equipment uniformity with limiting advocacy. In interviews, Dermott highlighted his personal commitment to allyship, noting he consulted teammates and coaches beforehand but proceeded independently, framing the act as a low-risk stand to test the policy's enforcement. No immediate on-ice penalty or ejection occurred, as the tape did not alter gameplay equipment standards beyond its messaging.

League response and broader implications

The NHL reviewed Dermott's use of Pride Tape during the October 21, 2023, game against the as a potential violation of its June 2023 policy prohibiting colored tape for social causes during games and practices, but ultimately imposed no fine or suspension. This leniency contrasted with the league's prior enforcement of uniformity to minimize on-ice , a directive reiterated in preseason memos to teams. On October 24, 2023, the NHL reversed the ban, permitting players to resume using Pride Tape and similar cause-related tape on sticks, directly following Dermott's defiance. Dermott described the outcome as restoring players' "voice," emphasizing his intent to highlight personal experiences with LGBTQ+ bullying without expecting the policy shift. The supported his action internally, with no reported team discipline. The incident underscored tensions between league efforts to standardize presentations—aimed at avoiding distractions amid prior controversies over optional Pride Night participation—and individual player autonomy in expressing values. Advocacy groups like welcomed the reversal as advancing inclusivity, while Dermott noted broader player encouragement to challenge restrictive rules. It prompted discussions on causal links between visible support and youth outcomes, though empirical data on tape's direct impact remains anecdotal rather than rigorously quantified. The quick policy pivot suggested responsiveness to player pushback over punitive measures, influencing future NHL guidelines on personal expression.

Injuries and career challenges

Concussion protocol experiences

Dermott sustained a concussion on September 27, 2022, during a Vancouver Canucks preseason practice at the University of British Columbia, when he was pinned against the boards in an awkward corner battle, resulting in an immediate unusual sensation in his head. He experienced symptoms including compromised awareness, tunnel vision, difficulty checking blind spots, and reduced puck-handling capability, which persisted despite initial medical clearance. The Canucks placed him on injured reserve shortly after, followed by long-term injured reserve on October 27, 2022, as he underwent the NHL's standardized concussion protocol involving rest, gradual exertion, and neurological evaluations. After missing the first 34 games of the 2022–23 season, Dermott completed an conditioning stint and returned to NHL action on December 29, 2022, against the , where he logged 15:09 of ice time. However, symptoms reemerged during games without new impacts, revealing limitations in protocol rehabilitation that failed to fully replicate high-intensity play conditions, prompting a shift toward enhanced off-ice symptom management. He appeared in only 11 total games that season, recording one goal and a minus-4 rating, before voluntarily removing himself to prioritize recovery, stating, "You’ve got to take your confidence and ego out of it and just take care of yourself." The recovery process involved daily variability with good and bad days, demanding mental resilience to endure setbacks and adhere to protocol steps, which Dermott described as a "slow process with ups and downs" where "those tough days are where you really learn where your character comes through." On January 12, 2023, he exited a game against the with an undisclosed injury, potentially exacerbating his ongoing issues. These experiences underscored the unpredictable nature of post-concussion symptoms in professional hockey, contributing to his season being effectively sidelined and influencing his subsequent unrestricted free agency status without qualification from the Canucks.

Impact on performance and team movements

Dermott's most significant occurred on September 27, 2022, during a preseason practice, sidelining him for over two months and limiting him to just 11 games in the 2022–23 season, where he recorded one goal, 10 hits, and 10 blocked shots. The injury's escalating symptoms necessitated placement on long-term injured reserve, disrupting his integration into the Canucks' lineup after a midseason trade from and contributing to a season effectively wiped out by post-concussion effects. He returned on December 29, 2022, following a conditioning stint with the AHL's , but the abbreviated play failed to secure a qualifying offer, rendering him an unrestricted in 2023. This performance shortfall directly influenced his team movement, prompting a one-year, with the on July 12, 2023, as a depth defenseman seeking recovery and opportunity. In (later rebranded Utah Hockey Club midseason), Dermott appeared in 33 games, posting three assists and a minus-10 rating, reflecting ongoing challenges in regaining pre-injury form amid a bottom-pairing role. The limited production and injury history likely factored into his unsigned status as a post-2023–24, leading to a professional tryout with the in September 2024, where he impressed in training camp with a strong expected goals share but struggled in regular-season play, registering zero points and a minus-3 rating in 10 games before being waived on December 12, 2024. Subsequent claiming by the on December 13, 2024, addressed Edmonton's depth needs but underscored Dermott's journeyman status, with prior contributing to perceptions of availability risks and hindering consistent top-six deployment across teams. Earlier injuries, including a 2019 upper-body issue with that tested organizational depth, similarly caused missed games but lacked the long-term protocol complications of the 2022 . Overall, these setbacks reduced his cumulative ice time and scoring output, averaging under 14 minutes per game post-2022 and correlating with short-term contracts and frequent transactions rather than roster stability.

International career

Junior international tournaments

Dermott was selected to represent at the 2016 IIHF World Under-20 Championship on December 1, 2015, alongside teammate , as one of seven defensemen on the roster. The tournament took place in , , from December 26, 2015, to January 5, 2016. Assigned a shutdown defensive role rather than his typical offensive contributions from the , Dermott appeared in five games, accumulating 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, 2 penalty minutes, and a minus-2 plus-minus rating. advanced to the gold medal game but secured silver after a 5-4 overtime loss to the . No other junior international appearances for Dermott are recorded in official statistics.

Personal life

Family and off-ice interests

Dermott married Katerina Di Lucia, whom he proposed to in early 2022, and the couple has two children: a daughter, Rosa Ruth, born in early March 2023, and a son, James, born in December 2023. Off the ice, Dermott pursues musical interests, including playing guitar—often using a travel-sized model—and participating in informal sessions with teammates. He favors , particularly the James Barker Band, having met one of their members. Dermott also enjoys video games, such as NHL and MLB titles, a he shared with his during childhood that continues as a activity.

Views on social and political matters

Travis Dermott has publicly expressed strong support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional hockey, most notably through his defiance of the NHL's temporary ban on Pride Tape in October 2023. On October 21, 2023, during a game against the , Dermott became the first NHL player to use the rainbow-colored tape on his stick, violating league guidelines that prohibited its use outside designated theme nights to avoid political associations. He described the action as necessary, stating, "Had to be done," and emphasized that it stemmed from personal convictions rather than coordinated efforts, noting he acted alone without prior consultation from his teammates or the league. Dermott's stance reflects a broader advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, which he has described as "near-and-dear" to him, influenced by observations of the "toxic effects" of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment on individuals close to him. He expressed frustration with the NHL's earlier retreats from pride-related initiatives, admitting it had upset him, though he welcomed the league's reversal of the tape ban days after his action on October 24, 2023, calling it "amazing" and a point of personal pride. Dermott reported receiving widespread support from family, fellow players, and executives like Brian Burke, whose son Brendan was gay, reinforcing his view that such gestures foster allyship without intending broader political entanglement. No public statements from Dermott on partisan politics, economic policies, or other non-LGBTQ+-related social issues have been documented in available sources.

Career statistics

NHL regular season and playoffs

Dermott debuted in the NHL with the during the 2017–18 season, appearing in 37 games and recording 13 points. He established himself as a regular defenseman in 2018–19, playing 64 games and contributing 17 points, though his performance varied in subsequent seasons marked by injuries and team changes. Dermott was traded to the on March 20, 2022, and later played for the in 2023–24 before brief stints with the and in 2024–25. Over 348 regular-season games with these teams, he accumulated 16 goals, 46 assists, 62 points, 130 penalty minutes, and a +12 plus-minus rating.
SeasonTeamGPGAPTSPIM+/-
2017–18TOR37112138+16
2018–19TOR644131722–5
2019–20TOR56471137+14
2020–21TOR5124619–1
2021–22TOR/6025714+9
2022–23111012–4
2023–24ARI5025726–14
2024–25EDM/MIN190002–3
Career348164662130+12
In the playoffs, Dermott appeared exclusively with the Maple Leafs from 2018 to 2021, totaling 22 games with 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, 8 penalty minutes, and a –5 plus-minus. His teams advanced to the first round each year but did not progress further.
SeasonTeamGPGAPTSPIM+/-
2017–18TOR71012–2
2018–19TOR712320
2019–20TOR50114–2
2020–21TOR30000–1
Career222358–5

International play statistics

Dermott represented Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Under-20 Championship in , , appearing in all five games as the team earned silver after losing 5–4 in overtime to the in the gold medal final on January 5, 2016. In the tournament, he tallied no goals and two assists for two points, alongside two penalty minutes and a minus-2 plus-minus rating.
YearTournamentTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2016World U2050222-2
No further senior or other junior international appearances are recorded for Dermott.

Awards and honors

Junior-level recognitions

Dermott's junior career with the Erie Otters in the (OHL) began in the 2013–14 season, where he recorded 5 goals and 23 assists for 28 points in 67 regular-season games, earning selection to the OHL First All-Rookie Team. During the 2015–16 OHL season, Dermott posted 8 goals and 42 assists for 50 points in 57 games, leading to his naming on the OHL Second All-Star Team. He was also named a finalist for the Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year that season, alongside and Cam Dineen, though he did not win the award. Prior to joining the OHL, Dermott received the (OJHL) Fan Favourite Award in 2013 while playing for the Newmarket Hurricanes, after finishing second among defencemen in playoff scoring with 15 points in 24 games.

Professional achievements

Dermott's most notable professional achievement occurred in the (AHL), where he was a member of the team that won the championship in the 2017–18 season, marking the franchise's first title since its inception in 2005. Following the ' elimination from the , Dermott joined the Marlies for their postseason run, contributing to their victory over the in the finals. In the National Hockey League (NHL), Dermott has not earned individual awards such as selections or major honors like the Norris Trophy. His career highlights include establishing himself as a regular NHL defenseman with the Maple Leafs starting in the 2018–19 season and later teams, though without standout accolades beyond playoff participation.

References

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