Jonathan Marchessault

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Marchessault's path to NHL stardom began in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts, where he won the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP and led the league in game-winning goals. Despite going undrafted, he signed an amateur tryout agreement with the AHL's Connecticut Whale, but his first pro contract was with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012. After signing with the Blue Jackets, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring his first NHL goal on April 9, 2015, against the Boston Bruins. A breakout 30-goal season with the Florida Panthers in 2016–17 led to his selection by Vegas in the expansion draft. He signed a six-year, $30 million extension with the Golden Knights and became a fixture, representing the team at the 2022 All-Star Game. In the 2023 playoffs, after a slow start, he erupted with a hat-trick (including an empty-net goal) to eliminate the Edmonton Oilers and scored a late tying goal in the conference final. He led the playoffs outright with 13 goals and finished second in points (25), winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in five games.

In Their Own Story

The 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs were a testament to Marchessault's resilience. After managing only two assists in the first seven postseason games, his output surged in the second round against the Edmonton Oilers. In Game 6, he scored a natural hat-trick to eliminate the Oilers. In the conference final against the Dallas Stars, he scored a late tying goal in Game 2, sending the game to overtime where Vegas won. Facing his former team, the Florida Panthers, in the Stanley Cup Final, Marchessault continued to score prolifically. He tied Leon Draisaitl for the playoff lead in goals (13) and finished second in points (25), one behind teammate Jack Eichel. The Golden Knights won the Cup in five games, and Marchessault was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, becoming the 10th undrafted player to win the award and the first since Wayne Gretzky in 1988.

Reader's Guide

Marchessault's career is a masterclass in defying expectations. As an undrafted player, he built his game through the AHL, earning his first NHL contract with the Blue Jackets. His breakout came with the Panthers, where he led the team with 30 goals. Selected by Vegas in the 2017 expansion draft, he became a core offensive piece, helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. His leadership was recognized when he was named the Golden Knights' All-Star representative in 2022. In the 2023 playoffs, he elevated his game, scoring a natural hat-trick to eliminate the Oilers and a late tying goal in the conference final. He tied for the playoff lead in goals (13) and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. His journey from undrafted free agent to Conn Smythe winner is a story of perseverance and skill.

Did You Know?

• Marchessault was the first undrafted player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy since Tim Thomas in 2011.
• He did not lead the QMJHL in playoff scoring in 2011; Jonathan Audy-Marchessault led with 27 points, while Marchessault had 20.
• His first NHL contract was signed on a recommendation from an ECHL coach, not an NHL scout.
• He scored his first career playoff hat-trick on June 6, 2021, against the Colorado Avalanche.
• Marchessault led the 2023 playoffs outright with 13 goals, not tied.

The Undrafted Journey from Junior Star to Pro

Marchessault played his entire junior career with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, joining as a 16-year-old after being drafted in the 12th round. In 2009–10, he won the Gaétan Duchesne Trophy as the QMJHL's best defensive player. In his final junior season, he finished sixth in QMJHL scoring and led the league with 11 game-winning goals. In the 2011 playoffs, he led the QMJHL in scoring despite Quebec being eliminated in the semi-finals, becoming the first player to lead the league in playoff scoring without playing in the final round. He was named a QMJHL First Team All-Star and awarded the Bud Light Cup as Quebec's player of the year. Despite these accolades, he went undrafted by any NHL team. On June 23, 2011, he signed his first professional contract with the AHL's Connecticut Whale on a recommendation by ECHL coach Dean Stork. In his first pro season, he tied for the Whale team lead with 64 points, leading the team with 40 assists and adding 24 goals.

Early Professional Struggles and Breakthroughs

After his rookie AHL season, Marchessault signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played for their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, leading the team in scoring and being named a First Team AHL All-Star. On March 5, 2014, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning with Dalton Smith for Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina. On April 11, 2015, he was called up to replace an ill Jonathan Drouin and scored his first NHL goal in a 3–2 shootout win over the Boston Bruins, earning First Star honors. He made his Stanley Cup playoff debut after Ryan Callahan's emergency appendectomy. He re-signed with Tampa Bay to a one-year, two-way contract on June 28, 2015. On July 1, 2016, he signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Florida Panthers. In the 2016–17 season, he led the Panthers with 30 goals and 51 points in 75 games, becoming the first Panthers player to reach 30 goals since David Booth in 2008–09.

Vegas Golden Knights Core and Historic Expansion

On June 21, 2017, Marchessault was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL expansion draft. On January 3, 2018, he signed a six-year, $30 million extension. In the 2017–18 season, he recorded 75 points in the regular season and 21 points in the playoffs, leading the team in postseason scoring with eight goals as the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. In the 2018–19 season, he scored 25 goals and 34 assists. In Game 7 of the first round of the 2019 playoffs, he scored the game-tying goal in the final minute, though the Sharks won in overtime. On June 6, 2021, he scored his first career playoff hat-trick against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the second round. In the 2021–22 season, he equalled his career high in goals and led the team in points, representing the Golden Knights at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game.

2023 Stanley Cup Victory and Conn Smythe Legacy

In the 2022–23 season, Marchessault managed 28 goals and 57 points in the regular season. In the playoffs, after managing only two assists in the first seven games, his output increased in Game 3 of the second round against the Edmonton Oilers. He scored his second career playoff hat-trick, a natural one, in Game 6 to eliminate the Oilers. In the conference final against the Dallas Stars, he scored a late tying goal in Game 2, sending it to overtime where the Golden Knights won. The Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second time, facing the Florida Panthers. Marchessault tied Leon Draisaitl for first in playoff goal-scoring (13) and was second in points (25), one behind Jack Eichel. The Golden Knights won the Cup in five games, and Marchessault won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He was the 10th undrafted player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, and the first to do so since Wayne Gretzky in 1988.