Nicholas Baptiste

Nicholas Baptiste
Baptiste with the Buffalo Sabres in 2017
Born (1995-08-04) August 4, 1995 (age 29)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
KHL team
Former teams		 HC Vityaz
Buffalo Sabres
Ilves
Kölner Haie
Tappara
NHL draft 69th overall, 2013
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2015–present

Nicholas Baptiste (born August 4, 1995) is a Haitian-Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for HC Vityaz in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Baptiste was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round (69th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

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Baptiste was born on August 4, 1995, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada[1] to parents Ralph Baptiste and Michele Emond. His father, coming from Haiti, had limited knowledge of hockey and bought Baptiste his first pair of skates for $2.99 from the Salvation Army.[2] Baptiste began ice skating at the age of six and joined his first hockey team the following year.[3]

Playing career

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Minor

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Baptiste joined a house league hockey team at the age of eight and began playing competitive hockey shortly after. By the age of 12, he began being approached and recruited by scouts and agents. During this time, he also played football and soccer but eventually chose to focus on hockey.[3] Baptiste played minor midget hockey with the Ottawa Senators of the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association and won their Player of the Year Award in 2011 for his "outstanding ability and the qualities of sportsmanship and leadership."[4] While attending St. Joseph Catholic High School, Baptiste played in the Ontario East Minor Hockey League (OEMHL) and was chosen to compete with the Under-16 Ontario team at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax. During the tournament, he drew the attention of Sudbury Wolves head scout Norm Robert but suffering a season-ending injury. He thus finished the OEMHL regular season with 55 points in 24 games.[5]

Major junior

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Baptiste was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during the 2011 OHL Entry Draft.[5] In his first season with the team, Baptiste competed in 68 regular-season games and finished with 8 goals with 19 assists.[1] In December 2011, Baptiste was chosen to skate for Canada Ontario in the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge[6] and helped them win a bronze medal.[7]

Baptiste returned to the Wolves for his sophomore season and became the third-leading scorer for the team with 21 goals with 27 assists in 66 games.[8] Baptiste was again chosen to compete for Team Canada at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships where he helped the team win a gold medal by recording two assists in the gold medla game.[9] He and Morgan Klimchuk were tied behind Connor McDavid for second in scoring for Canada at the tournament, with both scoring three goals and five assists.[8] Upon concluding his sophomore season with the Wolves, Baptiste was given the final ranking of 61 amongst North American Skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau prior to the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.[10] He was eventually drafted in the third-round, 69th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres.[11]

In his third OHL season, Baptiste was named an assistant captain alongside Mathew Campagna and Jeff Corbett for the 2013–14 campaign.[12] He led the Wolves in scoring with 45 goals and 44 assists in 65 regular-season games[8] and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres on May 31, 2014.[11] As a result of his play, Baptiste was named the Eastern Conference’s Best Shootout Skater in the Ontario Hockey League’s Coaches Poll and finished second to Andreas Athanasiou as the best skater in the conference.[13]

Baptiste returned to the Wolves for his fourth and final season as co-captain for the team alongside Brody Silk.[14] He skated in 12 games for the team before being traded to the Erie Otters on November 24, 2014, in exchange for Travis Wood, Cole Mayo, and four draft picks.[15] In 53 regular-season games between the two teams, he scored 32 goals with 32 assists and had 26 penalty minutes.[8]

Professional

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Upon concluding his major junior career, Baptiste joined the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) for their 2015–16 season.[16]

Baptiste with Ilves in 2022.

Following his rookie season, Baptiste was invited by the Sabres to participate in their Prospects Challenge in September, during which he scored a hat-trick. As a result, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said that Baptiste is "a good possibility" to make his NHL debut at some point during the team's current three-game road trip in Western Canada.[17] Baptiste was also invited to the Sabres training camp prior to the 2016–17 season but was unable to finish due to a back injury suffered during a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.[18] He was medically cleared to play for the Americans opening night game.[17] Following injuries to Evander Kane and Jack Eichel, Baptiste earned his first NHL call up on October 16, 2016[19] and made his debut against the Calgary Flames on October 18, 2016.[20] He recorded his first career NHL goal the following game, in a 2–1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Although Baptiste was awarded the goal, he was not the one to shoot it into the net. There was a misplay between two Canucks players leading the puck to go into the net and since Baptiste was the last Sabres player to touch it, he was awarded his first NHL goal.[21] Upon rejoining the Americans, Baptiste recorded his first professional regular season hat-trick in a 5–2 win over the Toronto Marlies on December 15.[22]

In this third and final season with the Sabres, Baptiste skated in a career-high 33 NHL games with the Sabres during the year and recorded six points. He re-signed with the Sabres on July 18, 2018.[23]

On October 1, 2018, before the 2018–19 season, Baptiste was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Jack Dougherty.[24] He was immediately reassigned to join AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. Baptiste remained with the Admirals, scoring 10 goals and 20 points in 54 games before he was traded for the second time within the season, dealt by the Predators to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for future considerations on February 24, 2019.[25] He was assigned directly to the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, playing out the remainder of the season to collect 2 goals and 7 points in 18 games.

With his contract with the Maple Leafs concluded, Baptiste as a free agent opted to continue within the organization, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Marlies on August 15, 2019.[26] In the 2019–20 season, Baptiste recorded just 3 goals in 29 games with the Marlies before he was traded to the Belleville Senators in exchange for Miles Gendron on February 24, 2020.[27]

As a free agent from the Senators, Baptiste continued his tenure in the AHL, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Texas Stars on January 23, 2021.[28] Following the signing, Baptiste was named an alternate captain alongside Josh Melnick and captain Cole Schneider for the 2020–21 season.[29] In the shortened season, Baptiste registered 12 goals and 24 points through 34 regular season games for Texas.

As a free agent, Baptiste opted to sign his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with Finnish club, Ilves Tampere, of the Liiga, on July 21, 2021.[30] In the 2021–22 season, Baptiste quickly adapted to the European style, contributing with 21 goals and 35 points in 52 regular season games. He notched 5 goals in the playoffs, helping Ilves reach the semi-finals.

On July 4, 2022, Baptiste left Finland after agreeing to a one-year contract with German club, Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), for the 2022–23 season.[31] In his lone season in Germany, Baptiste contributed offensively with 14 goals and 34 points through 46 regular season games.

As a free agent Baptiste opted to leave the DEL and return to the Finnish Liiga, agreeing to a one-year contract with Tappara on June 22, 2023.[32]

After a successful season with Tappara, Baptiste left at the conclusion of his contract and continued his career abroad in agreeing to a one-year deal with Russian club, Vityaz Moscow Region of the KHL, on May 29, 2024.[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
2011–12 Sudbury Wolves OHL 64 8 19 27 42 4 0 0 0 2
2012–13 Sudbury Wolves OHL 66 21 27 48 44 9 3 1 4 6
2013–14 Sudbury Wolves OHL 65 45 44 89 59 5 1 4 5 8
2014–15 Sudbury Wolves OHL 12 6 5 11 8 — — — — —
2014–15 Erie Otters OHL 41 26 27 53 18 20 12 11 23 10
2015–16 Rochester Americans AHL 62 13 15 28 30 — — — — —
2016–17 Rochester Americans AHL 59 25 16 41 34 — — — — —
2016–17 Buffalo Sabres NHL 14 3 1 4 6 — — — — —
2017–18 Buffalo Sabres NHL 33 4 2 6 14 — — — — —
2017–18 Rochester Americans AHL 36 7 11 18 22 3 1 0 1 2
2018–19 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 55 12 10 22 14 — — — — —
2018–19 Toronto Marlies AHL 18 2 5 7 6 13 1 0 1 2
2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 29 3 6 9 8 — — — — —
2019–20 Belleville Senators AHL 6 1 1 2 2 — — — — —
2020–21 Texas Stars AHL 34 12 12 24 18 — — — — —
2021–22 Ilves Liiga 52 21 14 35 41 13 5 0 5 2
2022–23 Kölner Haie DEL 46 14 20 34 24 6 3 1 4 4
2023–24 Tappara Liiga 50 14 13 27 26 16 2 4 6 10
NHL totals 47 7 3 10 20 — — — — —
Liiga totals 102 35 27 62 67 29 7 4 11 12

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 Canada Ontario U17 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 1 3 4 2
2013 Canada U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 3 5 8 4
Junior totals 13 4 8 12 6

References

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  1. ^ a b "Nick Baptiste". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  2. ^ Warren, Ken (May 18, 2014). "Baptiste: From unlikely hockey background to Buffalo". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "From The Natural to The Prospect". Ottawa Citizen. January 30, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "2019-20 Minor Midget Player of the Year Awards". ontariohockeyleague.com. March 20, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Barrhaven native selected in OHL draft". toronto.com. May 11, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Baptiste To Take on World". sudburywolves.com. December 27, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "Baptiste Honoured For Bronze Medal". sudburywolves.com. January 7, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d "Nick Baptiste". hockeysfuture.com. Hockeys Future. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "Congrats Nick Baptiste!". sudburywolves.com. April 28, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  10. ^ "CSS Final 2013 North American Skater Rankings". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "SABRES SIGN BAPTISTE TO ENTRY-LEVEL DEAL". nhl.com. National Hockey League. May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  12. ^ "Wolves Name Team Captains". sudburywolves.com. September 19, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  13. ^ Ryndak, Chris (July 21, 2014). "BAPTISTE CONTINUES TO ELEVATE HIS PLAY". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Silk, Baptiste named co-captains". sudbury.com. September 25, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "Erie Acquires Nicholas Baptiste from Sudbury". ottershockey.com. November 24, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  16. ^ "OHL Alumni on Opening Day AHL Rosters". ontariohockeyleague.com. October 9, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  17. ^ a b LaBarber, Jourdan (October 15, 2016). "Sabres hope for Baptiste to bring speed to lineup". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  18. ^ "Sabres' Nicholas Baptiste: Suffers lower back injury Friday". thescore.com. 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  19. ^ Ryndak, Chris (October 16, 2016). "Sharpen Up: October 16, 2016". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  20. ^ "Nicholas Baptiste gets call to make NHL debut for Sabres". The Buffalo News. October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  21. ^ LaBarber, Jourdon (October 21, 2016). "Sabres unable to capitalize in loss to Vancouver". NHL.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  22. ^ "Baptiste's first hat trick leads Amerks to 5-2 win". 13wham.com. WHAM-TV. December 15, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  23. ^ "O'Regan, Baptiste sign 1-year deals". NHL.com. July 15, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "Sabres acquire Dougherty from Predators". NHL.com. October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  25. ^ "Predators trade Baptiste to Maple Leafs for future considerations". Nashville Predators. February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  26. ^ "Marlies sign Nicholas Baptiste". Toronto Marlies. August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  27. ^ "Sens trade for Baptiste". Belleville Senators. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  28. ^ "Texas Stars announce signings of six forwards". Texas Stars. January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  29. ^ "STARS NAME MELNICK AND BAPTISTE ALTERNATE CAPTAINS". texasstars.com. March 2, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  30. ^ "Canadian forward Nicholas Baptiste joins Ilves" (in Finnish). Ilves. July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  31. ^ "Nick Baptiste strengthens the Sharks attack" (in German). Kölner Haie. July 4, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  32. ^ "Nicholas Baptiste signs contract with Tappara" (in Finnish). Tappara. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  33. ^ "Vityaz roster expanded with Finnish Champion Nicholas Baptiste" (in Russian). HC Vityaz. May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
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