Nick Holden
Holden with the Colorado Avalanche in 2014
Born (1987-05-15) May 15, 1987
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Columbus Blue Jackets
Colorado Avalanche
New York Rangers
Boston Bruins
Vegas Golden Knights
Ottawa Senators
National team  Canada
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2008–2023

Nick Holden (born May 15, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Ottawa Senators.

Holden began his hockey career in the St. Albert, Alberta area, playing alongside Ryan Stanton with the St. Albert Raiders. His play eventually drew attention towards him from the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), but he never foresaw a future with the sport. By the age of 18, Holden began apprenticeships to work towards the goal of becoming a plumber. Instead, he joined the Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League (WHL) as an undrafted player and played two seasons with them.

Holden ended his major junior hockey career by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played within the organization for seven years before leaving as a free agent for the Colorado Avalanche. While with the Avalanche, Holden became a mainstay on the NHL roster and proved to be an important part of their defence during the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. He spent three seasons with the Avalanche before being traded to the New York Rangers in 2016, who in turn, traded him to the Boston Bruins after a year and a half. Holden played 18 games with the Bruins before signing as a free agent with the Vegas Golden Knights, his fifth NHL club. Holden was traded to the Ottawa Senators in July 2021, before retiring in 2023 to join the Golden Knights' player development staff.

Early life

Holden was born on May 15, 1987, in St. Albert, Alberta, to parents Lynda and John Holden.[1] His father John was a former hockey player and his step brother played for the Vancouver Giants.[2] He grew up in Alberta with siblings Tiffany and Jack[1] and attended St. Albert Catholic High School.[3] When he was 12 years old, Holden earned his first job as an ice hockey referee.[1]

Playing career

Junior

As a youth, Holden played bantam and midget-A ice hockey without trying out for a team.[4] He began playing peewee hockey with his sister Tiffany and only took the game seriously when he reached Midget.[2] He later played Midget AAA hockey for the St. Albert Raiders alongside future NHLer Ryan Stanton. In his final season with the team, he played in 35 games and recorded 22 points, the most by a defenseman, which drew attention from the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). His play earned him a callup to the Junior A-level Camrose Kodiaks and competed with them in the RBC Cup.[5] During the 2005 AJHL Championship, Holden and the Kodiaks lost 3–2 against the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).[6]

Holden eventually played Junior A-level hockey for the Kodiaks and Sherwood Park Crusaders in the AJHL,[7] but disliked the attention he received.[4] While playing in the AJHL, Holden has said he was more focused on earning a college scholarship than continuing to play hockey.[8] By the age of 18, Holden secured an apprenticeship in plumbing which he planned on continuing if his hockey career did not pan out.[9] As a result, Holden flew under the radar of most scouts until Chilliwack Bruins General manager Darrell May saw him play for the Kodiaks the night before the 2006 Western Hockey League (WHL) Entry Draft.[2]

He eventually joined the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL as an undrafted player in 2006 after graduating from St. Albert's.[3] Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighing 200 pounds (91 kg), Holden garnered attention from Allain Roy of CMG Sports, a sports agent company. Holden said this is when he'd first "ever thought about it....I never figured I needed an agent."[10] After his rookie season, Holden earned a scholarship to the University of the Fraser Valley[11] and was invited to the Edmonton Oilers 2007 NHL training camp on an Amateur Tryout.[12] Upon returning for his second season with the Bruins, Holden was named captain of the team[13] while recording 22 goals and 38 assists for a total of 60 points. On March 28, 2008, Holden signed a three year entry level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, thus concluding his major junior career.[14]

Professional

Columbus Blue Jackets

Holden during his tenure with the Springfield Falcons.

Upon signing his contract, Holden joined the Columbus Blue Jackets then-American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.[14] He played one game with the team before beginning his first full professional campaign during the 2008–09 season,[3] where he recorded 22 points in 61 games.[15] Holden attended the Blue Jackets training camp prior to the 2009–10 season, but was reassigned to the AHL on September 28, 2009.[16] He spent the entirety of the season with the Crunch and recorded a then-career high 23 points in 68 games.[15]

Following the 2009–10 season, the Blue Jackets switched their AHL affiliate to the Springfield Falcons and Holden began the season with them. After playing in two games for the Falcons, Holden was called up to the NHL as a replacement for the injured Mike Commodore.[17] He made his NHL debut on October 20, 2010, in a 3–1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks[18] and played in five games before being reassigned to the AHL on November 5, 2010.[19] Holden concluded the season with the Falcons and recorded a then-career high 25 points in 67 games.[15] On June 20, 2011, Holden and the Blue Jackets agreed to a one-year, two-way NHL-American Hockey League Contract for the following season.[20]

With a new contract signed, Holden attended the Blue Jackets training camp prior to the 2011–12 season.[21] On October 1, 2011, Holden was placed on waivers by the Blue Jackets for the purpose of assigning him to the AHL[22] and he thus started the 2011–12 season with the Springfield Falcons.[23] Early in the season, Holden suffered an ankle and shoulder injury which cut his campaign to only 25 games.[24] He returned to the Falcons during the lock-out-shortened 2012–13 season, after attending the Jackets training camp.[25] He was named an alternate captain of the Falcons[26] and appeared in a brief, two-game return to the NHL with the Blue Jackets. After recording 4 goals and 18 assists, Holden was called up to the NHL level on February 4, 2013.[27] He finished the season with nine goals and 39 points in 73 games, and was named the Falcons IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year.[28]

Holden during a game in 2013

Colorado Avalanche

On July 5, 2013, Holden left the Blue Jackets organization and signed a two-year contract as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche.[29] After partaking and impressing in his first Avalanche training camp, Holden was unexpectedly successful in making the team's opening night roster for the 2013–14 season.[30] Holden sat as a healthy scratch in the first 11 games of the season before making his Avalanche debut as a forward in a 3–2 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars on November 1, 2013.[31] At the time of his debut, he was the only player on the roster to not play in a regular-season game during the 2013–14 season.[32] In returning to his natural position of defence, Holden scored his first career NHL goal, a game-winner, against Braden Holtby in a 4–1 victory over the Washington Capitals on November 10, 2013.[33] As the season progressed, Holden solidified his position within the Avalanche blueline, and on January 18, in a game against the Nashville Predators, he set a career high in scoring two goals and three points whilst also recording an all-time team record of nine hits for a defenceman. His three points and nine hits were last matched by Jiří Šlégr of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2001.[34] Holden finished the season second amongst Avalanche defencemen with ten goals in only 54 games.[35] He also led all Avalanche defenceman with three goals and four points in their Western Conference Quarter-final series defeat in the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Minnesota Wild.[36] Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic spoke highly of Holden's play, saying "He provided offense from our blue line and played with a lot of confidence as the season moved on. We are pleased that he will continue to be a part of our team."[37] Holden was rewarded from his break-out season in signing a three-year contract extension on July 1, 2014.[38]

Holden began the 2014–15 season with the Avalanche and played in his 100th career NHL game.[39] Numerously throughout the season, Holden was called upon to serve at the Avalanche's fourth line forward with teammates Marc-André Cliche and winger Cody McLeod.[40] He also sat as a healthy scratch during the 2014–15 campaign, including four consecutive games in December.[41] In spite of this, Holden remained a mainstay in the Avalanche's lineup and once again made their opening night roster.[42]

New York Rangers and Boston Bruins

On June 25, 2016, with two years remaining on his contract, Holden was traded by the Avalanche at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft to the New York Rangers in exchange for a 4th-round pick in 2017.[43] In the 2016–17 season, Holden enjoyed a successful year with the Rangers in establishing new career highs with 11 goals and 34 points in 80 games.[44] He often played on the right side for the Rangers due to their depleted defense, and spent time on both the second and first top pairings with Marc Staal and Ryan McDonagh.[45] He played in nearly all games for the Rangers in the postseason, only sitting as a healthy scratch during Game 3 against Montreal.[44] Fellow defenseman Brady Skjei spoke highly of Holden as a teammate, saying "He’s a steady player and has a good shot from the point, obviously.... He makes the simple play, he’s strong, big, skates well....He’s a nice guy, not a rah-rah guy in the room, but everyone respects him."[46] In spite of this, his future with the Rangers was tenuous and coach Alain Vigneault acknowledged Holden was not guaranteed a spot on the roster in the 2017–18 season.[47] Accurately so, Holden played only 55 games for the Rangers while in the final year of his contract before being traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Rob O'Gara and a 2018 third-round draft pick.[48] Holden, who was familiar with Massachusetts having played for the Springfield Falcons, left his wife and children in New York as he joined the team in Toronto.[49] He appeared in 18 games with the Bruins to close out the season with one goal and five points. In the post-season, Holden was relegated to a healthy scratch throughout the run, appearing in just two games.[50]

Vegas Golden Knights

With the Bruins unwilling to extend his contract, Holden left to sign with his fifth NHL club, the Vegas Golden Knights, on a two-year, $4.4 million contract on July 1, 2018.[51] In his first season with the Golden Knights, Holden was often paired with Shea Theodore or Zach Whitecloud on the blueline.[52] On February 28, 2020, Holden assisted on a goal with Nicolas Roy and Nick Cousins, making them the first trio of "Nicks" to combine on a goal.[53] At the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline, Vegas rewarded Holden's play with a two-year, $3.4 million contract extension; preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2019–20 season.[54] Holden spent most of the 2020–21 season on Vegas' "Taxi Squad", designed to hold players on the NHL roster without having their cap hit. Something Vegas desperately needed. Holden participated in his most successful postseason yet, netting two goals and five assists in 15 games before being sent home at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens in the third round.

Ottawa Senators

On July 28, 2021, Holden was traded to the Ottawa Senators alongside a 2022 3rd-round pick in exchange for Evgenii Dadonov.[55] He played in 30 games with the Senators, registering one goal and four points. On January 27, 2022, the Senators signed Holden to a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension.[56] In his second season with the club, he played in 65 games, scoring two goals and sixteen points. At the end of the season he was informed that he would not be re-signed by the Senators.[57]

Retirement

On September 12, 2023, the Vegas Golden Knights announced that Holden had joined their player development staff, retiring from play in the process.[58]

Personal life

Holden and his wife Angela have four children together[59] and are devout Christians. He participates in a chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes alongside former teammate Ryan Carpenter.[60] On September 7, 2011, Holden was inducted into the St. Albert Skating Wall of Fame.[61]

During the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, Holden worked with Sport Central, a sports charity, to donate hockey equipment to children of Fort McMurray who lost theirs.[62] He also purchased and donated tickets for military organizations during the Avalanche's 2015 Military Appreciation Night.[63]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2003–04St. Albert Steel 18U AAREMHL349152470—————
2003–04St. Albert Raiders AAAAMHL20000—————
2004–05St. Albert Raiders AAAAMHL357152224—————
2004–05Camrose KodiaksAJHL40000—————
2005–06Camrose KodiaksAJHL29581327—————
2005–06Sherwood Park CrusadersAJHL282151719—————
2006–07Chilliwack BruinsWHL67823316251126
2007–08Chilliwack BruinsWHL702238605441340
2007–08Syracuse CrunchAHL10002—————
2008–09Syracuse CrunchAHL614182246—————
2009–10Syracuse CrunchAHL686172352—————
2010–11Springfield FalconsAHL674212563—————
2010–11Columbus Blue JacketsNHL50000—————
2011–12Springfield FalconsAHL2536914—————
2012–13Springfield FalconsAHL73930395880336
2012–13Columbus Blue JacketsNHL20000—————
2013–14Colorado AvalancheNHL541015252273148
2014–15Colorado AvalancheNHL78591428—————
2015–16Colorado AvalancheNHL826162224—————
2016–17New York RangersNHL8011233435112244
2017–18New York RangersNHL55391214—————
2017–18Boston BruinsNHL18145020110
2018–19Vegas Golden KnightsNHL61312151410002
2019–20Vegas Golden KnightsNHL61681413190114
2020–21Vegas Golden KnightsNHL170222152570
2021–22Ottawa SenatorsNHL765141912—————
2022–23Ottawa SenatorsNHL652141610—————
NHL totals 654 52 126 178 174 55 7 10 17 18
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championship
Silver medal – second place2022 Finland

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 Canada WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 10 0 2 2 4
Senior totals 10 0 2 2 4

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
AHL
Falcons IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year 2013 [28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Nick Holden" (PDF). nhl.bamcontent.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Weber, Marc (November 30, 2007). "The Search Began In Alberta Snowstorm". The Province. Retrieved May 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 Mitchell, Laura; Neenan, John (February 5, 2009). "Rookie blueliners find common ground in Syracuse". theahl.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Chambers, Mike (February 2, 2014). "Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden wasn't in a rush to play in the NHL". Denver Post. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Flashback Friday: Nick Holden". ajhl.ca. Alberta Junior Hockey League. August 11, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Where are they now? Nick Holden". ajhl.ca. July 12, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Alumni of The Week". ajhl.ca. Alberta Junior Hockey League. November 11, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  8. ↑ Kramer, Lindsay (April 2, 2008). "New defenseman raw but ready". Syracuse Post Standard. Syracuse – via NewspaperArchive.Free access icon
  9. ↑ Gotz, Ben (January 22, 2019). "Golden Knights mailbag: Nick Holden on juggling, plumbing". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  10. ↑ Weber, Marc (January 17, 2008). "Late bloomers in demand". The Province. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  11. ↑ "2006-07 WHL Scholarship Recipients Announced". whl.ca. Western Hockey League. February 1, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Oilers Rookie Camp who's who". nhl.com. National Hockey League. 2007. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  13. ↑ Welsh, Eric J. (September 21, 2007). "Holden Named Bruins Captain". The Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved May 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 "Holden signs contract". whl.ca. Western Hockey League. March 28, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  15. 1 2 3 "Nick Holden". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Crunch Announce Roster Moves". oursportscentral.com. Our Sports Central. September 28, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Falcons' Nick Holden promoted to Columbus Blue Jackets". masslive.com. Masslive. October 20, 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  18. ↑ Hansen, Jeff (March 28, 2015). "Holden flashes NHL form". St. Albert Today. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Columbus Blue Jackets Activate Defenseman Mike Commodore Off Injured Reserve; Assign Defenseman Nick Holden to American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons". nhl.com. National Hockey League. November 5, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Defenseman Nick Holden to one-year, two-way NHL-American Hockey League Contract". nhl.com. National Hockey League. June 20, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Columbus Blue Jackets 2011 Training Camp Roster" (PDF). nhl.com. National Hockey League. 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Blue Jackets Make Roster Moves". nhl.com. National Hockey League. October 1, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Opening rosters announced". theahl.com. American Hockey League. October 12, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  24. ↑ Brown, Gary (October 2, 2012). "Springfield Falcons' preseason is officially upon us". masslive.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Falcons get five more from Columbus". theahl.com. American Hockey League. September 15, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  26. ↑ Levine, Eric (December 4, 2012). "Falcons give back". theahl.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Nick Holden of Springfield Falcons called up by Columbus Blue Jackets". masslive.com. February 4, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  28. 1 2 "Holden Named Springfield's IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year". oursportscentral.com. April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Avalanche announce signings". Colorado Avalanche. July 5, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  30. ↑ Chambers, Mike (October 1, 2013). "Avalanche to play longshots Nate Guenin and Nick Holden in NHL openers". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  31. ↑ Dater, Adrian (November 1, 2013). "Colorado Avalanche defeats Dallas Stars in OT, improves to 11-1". Denver Post. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  32. ↑ Knabenbauer, Ron (November 1, 2013). "Nick Holden Ready to Play Forward versus Stars". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  33. ↑ Ward, Scott (November 12, 2013). "Hardwork, positivity led to Holden's first score". Colorado Avalanche. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  34. ↑ Knabenbauer, Ron (January 19, 2014). "Holden Delivers Big Game As Avs Hold Off Predators". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Nick Holden showing "undrafted" doesn't always have to mean "unwanted"". Denver Post. October 4, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  36. ↑ Hansen, Jeff (February 23, 2016). "Strong season for Holden". St. Albert Today. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  37. ↑ Simmons, Ryan (August 20, 2014). "Nick Holden: 2013-14 Season in Review". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Avalanche signs Nick Holden to extension". Colorado Avalanche. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  39. ↑ Knabenbauer, Ron (January 12, 2015). "Power Play The Difference In Goaltending Duel". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  40. ↑ Knabenbauer, Ron (December 29, 2014). "Holden To Play Forward Against Blues". nhl.com. National Hockey League.
  41. ↑ Boulding, Ryan (January 4, 2015). "Avalanche Tilt Vs. Columbus Could Be Special". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  42. ↑ Knabenbauer, Ron (October 8, 2015). "Plenty of Memories for Avs on Opening Night". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Rangers acquire defenseman Nick Holden". New York Rangers. June 25, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  44. 1 2 "The season that Nick Holden had for the Rangers". sny.tv. SportsNet New York. May 26, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  45. ↑ Brooks, Larry (February 20, 2018). "Rangers' fire sale begins with Nick Holden". New York Post. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  46. ↑ Zipay, Steve (April 17, 2017). "Rangers' Nick Holden, Pavel Buchnevich can help on offense". newsday.com. Newsday. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Marc Staal and Nick Holden know they are battling for spots". sny.tv. SportsNet New York. September 14, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Bruins acquire Nick Holden in trade with Rangers". Boston Bruins. February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  49. ↑ Russo, Eric (February 23, 2018). "Holden Ready for Whatever Role Comes His Way". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  50. ↑ Joe Haggerty (June 13, 2018). "A look at Bruins free agents: Nick Holden". nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Defenseman Nick Holden signed by Vegas". Vegas Golden Knights. July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  52. ↑ Gotz, Ben (April 30, 2020). "Golden Knights roster review: Nick Holden". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  53. ↑ @StatsBySTATS (February 29, 2020). "The first goal for the @GoldenKnights tonight was scored by Nicolas Roy, with assists to Nick Cousins and Nick Holden. It's the first time in NHL history three players with the first name "Nick" (or a variation thereof) have combined on a goal" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  54. ↑ Schoen, David (February 24, 2020). "Golden Knights sign Nick Holden to two-year extension". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  55. ↑ Tidcombe, Matt (July 28, 2021). "Sens acquire Holden from Vegas". NHL.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Senators sign defenceman Nick Holden to a one-year contract extension". Ottawa Senators. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Sens' Holden informed he won't be back next season". TSN. April 14, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Vegas Golden Knights Add Nick Holden to Player Development Staff". Vegas Golden Knights. September 12, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023. Holden retires after a 15-year professional career that included 654 NHL games.
  59. ↑ Hill, Adam (September 21, 2018). "Vegas Born: Golden Knight Nick Holden's wife delivers son". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  60. ↑ Hill, Adam (March 11, 2019). "Faith guides Knights' Ryan Carpenter on and off the ice". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  61. ↑ Hensen, Jeff (September 7, 2011). "Holden skates into new season". stalberttoday.ca. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  62. ↑ Heidenreich, Phil (June 17, 2016). "Sports charity scores huge donation for Fort McMurray thanks to iconic hockey equipment brand". globalnews.ca. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  63. ↑ "Military Appreciation Night Feb. 22 at Pepsi Center". nhl.com. January 23, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
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