Jake Muzzin

Jake Muzzin
Jake Muzzin playing with the Maple Leafs in 2022 (Quintin Soloviev).jpg
Muzzin with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022
Born (1989-02-21) February 21, 1989 (age 35)
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Los Angeles Kings
Toronto Maple Leafs
National team  Canada
NHL draft 141st overall, 2007
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2010–2022

Jacob Muzzin (born February 21, 1989) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and works in Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He previously had played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Muzzin went unsigned and returned to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as an overage player. There he served as team captain and won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the top defenceman in the OHL. As a free agent, Muzzin signed with the Kings in 2010, winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 2014. Muzzin was traded to Toronto during the 2018–19 season, where he played parts of five seasons. After a spinal injury suffered in 2022 resulted in his placement on long-term injured reserve, Muzzin joined the Maple Leafs' front office as a professional scout in 2023.

Internationally, he represented Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championship and 2016 World Cup of Hockey, winning gold in both tournaments.

Playing career

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Junior

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Muzzin played his early minor hockey in the Woodstock Minor Hockey Association before moving on to play AAA in Brantford, Ontario. He had previously played both soccer and hockey but at the age of 13 he committed to hockey.[1]

Muzzin was the first pick, 11th overall, by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection Draft from the Brantford 99'ers Minor Midgets. He did not play with the Greyhounds until late in 2006 after he required herniated disc surgery at age 16.[1] Despite having played only 37 regular season games and 13 playoff games, he was drafted 141st overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although he was drafted, he went unsigned by the Penguins and re-entered the 2009 NHL Entry Draft but was not picked and returned for an overage year with the Greyhounds.[2] In his final season in the OHL, Muzzin was named team captain[3] and selected for the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic.[4] Muzzin also won the Max Kaminsky Trophy for top defenceman in the league.[5]

Professional

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Los Angeles Kings

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Muzzin signed as a free agent to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on January 4, 2010.[6]

Following the Kings' training camp and pre-season games, Muzzin made the Kings' opening night roster for the 2010–11 season.[7] However, on November 3, 2010, he was assigned to the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs.[8] Just six days later, on November 9, the Kings recalled Muzzin for a brief stint[9] before again reassigning him to the Monarchs on November 23.

Muzzin with the Los Angeles Kings in 2013.

In 2012, Muzzin was recalled during the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs as a Black Ace, and was on the roster as a healthy scratch when they won the Stanley Cup over the New Jersey Devils.[10][11] He did not appear in any games that season. Although he did not qualify to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, he was nonetheless included in the team's celebratory picture.

Muzzin scored his first NHL goal in his third game following the 2012–13 NHL lockout on January 26, 2013, against Jason LaBarbera of the Phoenix Coyotes.[12] He went on to become a regular in the Kings' lineup and scored 7 goals and 9 assists in 45 regular season games, while adding 3 assists in 17 playoff games. He was also named NHL Rookie of the Month for March 2013.[13]

On July 12, 2013, Muzzin and the Kings agreed to a two-year contract extension.[14]

At the beginning of the 2013–14 season, Muzzin began as a third line pairing and was a healthy scratch for a series of games. However, he quickly continued to develop and, after being paired with defensive star Drew Doughty, he continued to earn more playing time on the top defensive pairing. Muzzin continued to earn minutes for the Kings and finished the regular season averaging 19:01 minutes per game, in addition to registering 5 goals and 19 assists in 76 regular season games. In the 2014 playoffs, he scored 6 goals and 6 assists in 26 games, averaging 23:23 minutes of ice time per game, including 37:18 in Game 5 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Rangers.[15]

On October 15, 2014, Muzzin signed a five-year contract extension with the Kings.[16] He went on to have a career-high 41 points in 76 games that season.

On January 6, 2018, Muzzin was placed on injured reserve by the Kings.[17] He was activated from injured reserve on January 18 after missing three games.[18] During the 2018 playoffs, due to an upper-body injury, Muzzin played in only two games in a 4–0 series loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.[19]

Toronto Maple Leafs

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On January 28, 2019, with the Kings one point from last place in the league standings, Muzzin was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Carl Grundström, the playing rights to Sean Durzi, and Toronto's first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.[20] He finished the season with 37 points, split between the Kings and Leafs.[21]

On February 24, 2020, Muzzin agreed to a four-year, $22.5 million contract extension with the Maple Leafs.[22][23]

During the 2021–22 season, Muzzin suffered two concussions within a span of a month. The first concussion occurred on January 15, 2022, in a game against the St. Louis Blues, when Muzzin was checked into the boards by Blues forward Klim Kostin. He missed seven games as a result.[24] The second happened after a collision with Chris Wideman of the Montreal Canadiens on February 21, 2022 (his 33rd birthday).[25] Muzzin did not return to the ice until April 2022 and played for the Leafs in the playoffs.[26][27]

The following season, after appearing in only four games, Muzzin injured his spine after colliding with Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller, and was placed on the injured reserve once again. He was later ruled out for the rest of the season on February 22, 2023.[28]

Muzzin remained on injured reserve to start the 2023–24 season, with new Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving confirming in late September 2023 that Muzzin would miss the entire season due to his spinal injury suffered the prior year.[29][30] Despite not officially retiring, Muzzin later joined the Maple Leafs' front office in early October as a professional scout.[31]

International play

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Muzzin has represented Canada national team at the 2015 IIHF World Championship and 2016 World Cup of Hockey, winning gold in both competitions.[2]

Personal life

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Muzzin is the son of Ed and Judy Muzzin and is of Italian and Dutch descent.[32] He became engaged to Courtney Fischer in December 2015, and they married on August 5, 2016, in London, Ontario. They have one child together, a daughter born in April 2019.[33]

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
2004–05 Brantford 99'ers AAA AH U16 57 20 23 43 78 12 1 2 3 34
2006–07 Soo Thunderbirds NOJHL 4 0 3 3 2 — — — — —
2006–07 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 37 1 3 4 10 13 0 4 4 6
2007–08 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 67 6 12 18 53 10 1 3 4 4
2008–09 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 62 6 23 29 57 — — — — —
2009–10 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 64 15 52 67 76 5 0 1 1 2
2009–10 Manchester Monarchs AHL 1 0 1 1 0 13 1 3 4 6
2010–11 Manchester Monarchs AHL 45 3 15 18 39 7 3 1 4 2
2010–11 Los Angeles Kings NHL 11 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2011–12 Manchester Monarchs AHL 71 7 24 31 40 3 0 1 1 2
2012–13 Manchester Monarchs AHL 29 2 9 11 24 — — — — —
2012–13 Los Angeles Kings NHL 45 7 9 16 35 17 0 3 3 6
2013–14 Los Angeles Kings NHL 76 5 19 24 58 26 6 6 12 8
2014–15 Los Angeles Kings NHL 76 10 31 41 22 — — — — —
2015–16 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 8 32 40 64 5 1 4 5 2
2016–17 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 9 19 28 46 — — — — —
2017–18 Los Angeles Kings NHL 74 8 34 42 40 2 0 0 0 2
2018–19 Los Angeles Kings NHL 50 4 17 21 33 — — — — —
2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 30 5 11 16 14 7 0 2 2 2
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 53 6 17 23 40 2 0 0 0 2
2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2020–21 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 53 4 23 27 29 6 2 1 3 0
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 47 3 11 14 16 7 2 1 3 2
2022–23 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 4 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
NHL totals 683 69 225 294 399 72 11 17 28 24
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Czech Republic
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2016 Toronto

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 0 9 9 4
2016 Canada WCH 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1 0 0 0 0
Senior totals 11 0 9 9 4

Awards and honours

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Muzzin lifts the Stanley Cup shortly after the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.
Award Year
OHL
First All-Star Team 2010
Max Kaminsky Trophy 2010
CHL First All-Star Team 2010
NHL
Rookie of the Month 2013 [13]
Stanley Cup champion 2014

References

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  1. ^ a b Muzzin, Jake (November 26, 2012). "My Story: Jake Muzzin". NHL.com. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Wharnsby, Tim (October 17, 2018). "LONG AND WINDING PATH LEADS TO VETERAN STATUS FOR MUZZIN". nhlpa.com. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  3. ^ "Sting home to Greyhounds". sarniasting.com. January 14, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2019. The Greyhounds are led by overage captain Jacob Muzzin, who leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and 37 assists for 47 points. He recently signed a contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
  4. ^ "Ontario Hockey League Announces Rosters for the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic". ontariohockeyleague.com. January 13, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  5. ^ "Jacob Muzzin named OHL defenseman of the year". sootoday.com. April 23, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  6. ^ "Kings sign Muzzin; Activate Stoll". Los Angeles Kings. January 4, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  7. ^ Helene Elliott (October 5, 2010). "Schenn, Loktionov, Lewis, Clifford and Muzzin make Kings' opening night roster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  8. ^ "Kings send Jake Muzzin to Manchester; Doughty to be activated". LA Times. November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  9. ^ "Kings Recall Jake Muzzin From Manchester (AHL)". NHL.com. November 9, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  10. ^ "Cup win a learning experience for Jones". Ontario Reign. June 2, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  11. ^ "Woodstock Native hoists the Stanley Cup". Woodstock Sentinel-Review. June 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  12. ^ "Defending champion Kings top Coyotes for first victory". cbssports.com. January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  13. ^ a b "L.A. Kings Jake Muzzin named NHL March rookie of the month". Woodstock Sentinel-Review. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  14. ^ "Multi-year contract step forward for Muzzin". Woodstock Sentinel-Review. July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  15. ^ "Game 5, Kings v Rangers boxscore". National Hockey League. June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on June 16, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  16. ^ "Kings' Muzzin signs five-year contract extension". NHL.com. October 15, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  17. ^ "Christian Folin Activated from IR; Jake Muzzin Placed on Injured Reserve". NHL.com. January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  18. ^ "LA Kings Activate Jake Muzzin From Injured Reserve". NHL.com. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  19. ^ Dan Greenspan (April 18, 2018). "Kings doomed by lack of production in first-round sweep". NHL.com. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  20. ^ "Maple Leafs acquire blueliner Muzzin from Kings". The Sports Network. January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  21. ^ "Jake Muzzin Hockey Stats and Profile". hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  22. ^ "Maple Leafs Sign Defenceman Jake Muzzin to Four-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  23. ^ "Maple Leafs sign Jake Muzzin to four-year extension". Sportsnet. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  24. ^ Fox, Luke (January 18, 2022). "Jake Muzzin's injury will test young Maple Leafs defencemen". Sportsnet. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  25. ^ "Maple Leafs place defenceman Muzzin on IR with 2nd concussion in less than a month". CBC Sports. February 24, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  26. ^ "Maple Leafs' Jake Muzzin to return Tuesday after suffering concussion in February". The Athletic. April 5, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  27. ^ Hall, Thomas (November 4, 2022). "Report: 'Legitimate concern' around Leafs D Jake Muzzin's injury". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  28. ^ Shilton, Kristen (February 22, 2023). "Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin to miss rest of season". ESPN. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  29. ^ "Maple Leafs' Jake Muzzin: Won't play in 2023-24". CBS Sports. September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  30. ^ Barden, Nick (September 20, 2023). "Maple Leafs Defenseman Jake Muzzin Ruled Out for Entire 2023-24 Season With Injury". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  31. ^ "Maple Leafs Announce Staff Updates". NHL.com. October 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Kloke, Joshua (March 27, 2019). "From Woodstock to Toronto: The remarkable journey of Jake Muzzin". The Athletic. Retrieved March 30, 2021. (subscription required)
  33. ^ Masters, Mark (April 19, 2019). "New dad Muzzin gives Leafs D core some swagger". TSN.ca. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
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