Jonathan Marchessault

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Lore & Background

Marchessault's path to NHL stardom was unconventional. Undrafted, he signed his first professional contract with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL in 2011. He signed his first NHL contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets the following year, though he remained mostly with their AHL affiliates. He became a more regular fixture with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015–16 season, scoring his first career NHL goal on April 11, 2015, in a 3–2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins. He departed to the in-state rival Florida Panthers that off-season, where he had a 30-goal breakout season in 2016–17, becoming the first Panthers player to reach 30 goals since David Booth in 2008–09. Selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL expansion draft, Marchessault signed a six-year, $30 million extension on January 3, 2018. He helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, with William Karlsson leading the team in postseason scoring. In the 2023 playoffs, after managing only two assists in the team's first seven postseason games, his output markedly increased beginning with game three of the second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers. He scored his first career playoff hat-trick in game six to eliminate the Oilers. The Golden Knights won the Cup in a five-game series against the Florida Panthers. Marchessault tied Leon Draisaitl for first place in goal-scoring in the playoffs (13) and was second in points (25), earning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

In Their Own Story

The 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs were a tale of two runs for Jonathan Marchessault. Through the first seven postseason games, he managed only two assists, his offensive game seemingly stymied. But everything changed in game three of the second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers. He scored his second career playoff hat-trick in game six of that series, a natural one, to eliminate the Oilers. In the conference final rematch against the Dallas Stars, Marchessault managed a late tying goal in game two, sending it to overtime where the Golden Knights emerged victorious. The Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history, this time facing Marchessault's former team, the Panthers. Continuing to score prolifically, many in the media began to suggest that Marchessault would be the favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Ultimately, the Golden Knights won the Cup in a five-game series. Marchessault tied the Oilers' Leon Draisaitl for first place in goal-scoring in the playoffs (13) and was second in points (25), one behind teammate Jack Eichel, earning as a result the Conn Smythe Trophy. He was the 10th undrafted player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, and the first to do so since Wayne Gretzky in 1988.

Reader's Guide

Jonathan Marchessault played his entire junior ice hockey career with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He originally joined the team as a 16-year-old for the 2007–08 season after being drafted by them in the 12th round. In the 2009–10 season, he won the Gaétan Duchesne Trophy as the QMJHL's best defensive player. As Quebec's alternate captain in his final junior level season, Marchessault finished sixth in the QMJHL in scoring during the 2010–11 regular season and led the league in game-winning goals with 11. In the 2011 playoffs, he led the QMJHL in scoring despite Quebec having been eliminated in the semi-finals, becoming the first player to lead the QMJHL in playoff scoring despite not playing in the final round. Not having been selected in any NHL entry draft, on June 23, 2011, Marchessault signed his first professional contract with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL. In his first professional season, he tied for the Whale team lead with 64 points, leading the team with 40 assists and adding 24 goals. After the 2011–12 season, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played the following season for Columbus' 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 with Dalton Smith to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina. On April 11, 2015, he scored his first career NHL goal and point in a Tampa Bay's 3–2 shootout victory over the visiting Boston Bruins. 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 in recording 51 points in 75 games.

Did You Know?

• Marchessault was the first undrafted player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy since 1988.
• He led the QMJHL in playoff scoring in 2011 despite his team, the Quebec Remparts, having been eliminated in the semi-finals.
• Marchessault scored his first career NHL goal on April 11, 2015, in a 3–2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins and was named the game's first star.
• He was the first Panthers player to reach 30 goals since David Booth in 2008–09.
• Marchessault tied Leon Draisaitl for first place in goal-scoring in the 2023 playoffs with 13 goals.