If you’re a hockey fan, you’ve probably heard the name Nick Suzuki buzzing around the NHL lately. The young captain of the Montreal Canadiens has been turning heads with his slick moves and leadership skills both on and off the ice. Nicknamed “Slick Nick” for his craftiness, Suzuki has quickly become one of the most exciting players to watch in professional hockey today. Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about this rising superstar.
Nick Suzuki’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Nicholas Masaru James Suzuki |
| Nickname | Slick Nick |
| Born | August 10, 1999 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Education | London Waldorf School |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Weight | 207 lbs (94 kg) |
| Turned Professional | 2019 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $10 million |
| Annual Salary | $7.875 million |
| Spouse | Caitlin Fitzgerald |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | None |
| Instagram Profile | @nsuzuki_37 |
Early Career
Nick Suzuki’s hockey journey started when he was just three years old, despite facing several health challenges as a child including hand, foot, and mouth disease, multiple bouts of pneumonia, and recurrent ear infections that required surgery. His health improved as he grew older, and he quickly fell in love with the sport. Growing up in London, Ontario, he became best friends with his neighbor Isaac Ratcliffe, and the two played sports together starting at age eight.
Suzuki played minor hockey with the London Jr. Knights, where he absolutely dominated. During the 2014-15 season, he led his league with an impressive 34 goals and 68 points in just 31 games, earning him the ALLIANCE Hockey Player of the Year award. His incredible performance caught the attention of scouts across the Ontario Hockey League, setting the stage for his junior career.
Professional Career
Suzuki was selected 14th overall by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection Draft. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, scoring two goals and one assist in his first three games. By the end of his first year, he became the first Attack rookie since 2008 to score 20 or more goals at age 16. His sophomore season was even better, as he exploded for 96 points including 45 goals and 51 assists in 65 games, earning him the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.
Suzuki continued his dominance in his third OHL season, posting 100 points with 42 goals and 58 assists in 64 games. The Vegas Golden Knights had seen enough and selected him 13th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. However, Suzuki never played a regular-season game for Vegas. In September 2018, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with Tomas Tatar and a second-round pick in exchange for Max Pacioretty. This trade would prove to be a franchise-altering move for Montreal.
In January 2019, Suzuki was traded again, this time in the OHL, from Owen Sound to the Guelph Storm. This move turned out to be magical. He helped lead the Storm to the OHL Championship, posting an incredible 42 points in just 24 playoff games, earning him the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the OHL Playoff MVP. He also won his third consecutive William Hanley Trophy that season, becoming the first player in OHL history to win the award three straight times.
Suzuki made his NHL debut with the Canadiens on October 4, 2019, against the Carolina Hurricanes. In his rookie season, he scored 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points in 71 games, earning him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. His sophomore season saw him help lead the Canadiens on an incredible playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021, where he tied for the team lead in playoff scoring with 16 points in 22 games. His overtime winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the first round became one of the most memorable goals in recent Canadiens history.
On September 12, 2022, at just 23 years old, Suzuki was named the 31st captain in Montreal Canadiens history, becoming the youngest captain in franchise history. Since then, he’s continued to improve every season. In the 2024-25 season, he posted career-high numbers with 30 goals and 59 assists for 89 points in 82 games, helping lead the Canadiens back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Wife
Nick Suzuki is happily married to Caitlin Fitzgerald, his longtime girlfriend whom he wed on June 9, 2025. The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at Amanyara in Turks and Caicos, then surprised their friends and family by showing the wedding film at their reception party in Montreal in July 2025. Fitzgerald, who is also from London, Ontario, has been incredibly supportive of Nick’s career, and the two share a strong bond built on mutual respect and understanding.
Caitlin has described Nick as “super compassionate” and “super easy to get along with,” praising his calm demeanor and ability to handle any situation with composure. The couple enjoys spending their summers in Montreal, taking advantage of the city’s vibrant restaurant scene and attending concerts. They currently do not have any children but have expressed interest in adopting a dog in the future. The couple also shares their home with two cats.
Nick Suzuki’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Nick Suzuki’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. This figure comes from his NHL contract, endorsement deals, and various investments. In October 2021, Suzuki signed an eight-year, $63 million contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens, which carries an annual cap hit of $7.875 million. For the 2024-25 season, he earned a base salary of $10 million. Over his career so far, Suzuki has earned approximately $42.17 million in salary alone, ranking him among the top earners in his age group. His financial success reflects not only his on-ice performance but also his marketability as one of the NHL’s rising stars and the captain of one of hockey’s most storied franchises.
Prize Money
| Season | Team | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Total Salary | Cap Hit |
| 2019-20 | Montreal Canadiens | $832,500 | $92,500 | $925,000 | $863,334 |
| 2020-21 | Montreal Canadiens | $832,500 | – | $832,500 | $863,334 |
| 2021-22 | Montreal Canadiens | $832,500 | – | $832,500 | $863,334 |
| 2022-23 | Montreal Canadiens | $10,000,000 | – | $10,000,000 | $7,875,000 |
| 2023-24 | Montreal Canadiens | $10,000,000 | – | $10,000,000 | $7,875,000 |
| 2024-25 | Montreal Canadiens | $10,000,000 | – | $10,000,000 | $7,875,000 |
| 2025-26 | Montreal Canadiens | $8,750,000 | – | $8,750,000 | $7,875,000 |
| Career Total | – | ~$42,172,500 | – | ~$42,172,500 | – |
Endorsements
- BAUER – Suzuki is sponsored by BAUER, one of the leading hockey equipment manufacturers. He uses the BAUER Twitch stick, BAUER Supreme Mach skates, and BAUER Vapor HyperLite gloves
- Hellmann’s – The mayonnaise brand has partnered with Suzuki for various promotional campaigns
- Goodfood – A meal kit delivery service popular in Canada
- Tim Hortons – The iconic Canadian coffee and fast-food chain
- McDonald’s – Partnership with the global fast-food giant
- Various food and dining brands – Suzuki has endorsed multiple brands in the coffee, tea, and food dining categories
- Community initiatives – Suzuki has been the ambassador for the Asista Foundation since June 2022, helping raise awareness about mental health and the organization’s mission to provide service dogs to those in need
Career Records
| Award/Achievement | Year(s) | Details |
| William Hanley Trophy | 2017, 2018, 2019 | OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (record 3 consecutive wins) |
| Wayne Gretzky 99 Award | 2019 | OHL Playoff MVP – 42 points in 24 playoff games |
| OHL Championship | 2019 | Won J. Ross Robertson Cup with Guelph Storm |
| NHL All-Rookie Team | 2020 | Selected after posting 41 points in rookie season |
| Stanley Cup Finals | 2021 | Led Canadiens in playoff scoring with 16 points |
| NHL All-Star | 2022, 2023, 2024 | Selected to three consecutive All-Star games |
| Youngest Canadiens Captain | 2022 | Named 31st captain at age 23 |
| Career-High Season | 2024-25 | 89 points (30 goals, 59 assists) in 82 games |
| OHL All-Star Teams | 2017, 2018, 2019 | Named to OHL All-Star teams multiple times |
| Hart Trophy Votes | 2025 | Received votes for NHL MVP, including one first-place vote |
| Lady Byng Trophy Finalist | 2025 | 5th place with 694 voting points (8 first-place votes) |
| King Clancy Trophy Nominee | 2025 | Nominated for leadership and humanitarian contributions |
FAQs
1. How did Nick Suzuki get his nickname “Slick Nick”?
Nick earned the nickname “Slick Nick” because of his incredible craftiness and smooth playmaking ability on the ice. His creative passes, slick stickhandling, and ability to think outside the box make him one of the most entertaining players to watch in the NHL today.
2. What is Nick Suzuki’s playing style?
Suzuki is known as a cerebral two-way center who excels at both offensive production and defensive responsibility. He’s a smart, vision-oriented player who sees plays develop before they happen. His game is built on high hockey IQ, excellent passing ability, and a surprisingly accurate shot. He’s not the fastest skater but makes up for it with positioning and anticipation.
3. How did the Montreal Canadiens acquire Nick Suzuki?
The Canadiens acquired Suzuki from the Vegas Golden Knights on September 10, 2018, as part of a blockbuster trade that sent Max Pacioretty to Vegas. Montreal also received Tomas Tatar and a second-round pick in the deal. This trade is now considered one of the best in recent Canadiens history.
4. Has Nick Suzuki represented Canada internationally?
Yes, Suzuki represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he recorded three assists in five games. He helped Canada compete at the tournament during his final junior season.
5. What makes Nick Suzuki a good captain?
Suzuki leads by example both on and off the ice. He’s known for his calm demeanor, work ethic, and ability to handle pressure situations. He communicates well with coaches and teammates, isn’t afraid to make his voice heard when needed, and demonstrates strong leadership through his consistent play and community involvement. His humble approach and dedication to the team make him respected throughout the locker room.
6. What is Nick Suzuki’s relationship with Cole Caufield?
Suzuki and Caufield have developed incredible chemistry as linemates and have become close friends off the ice. Their contrasting personalities complement each other perfectly, with Suzuki’s calm and composed nature balancing Caufield’s energetic and fun-loving spirit. They’ve been the driving force behind Montreal’s offensive production in recent seasons.
7. What charitable work does Nick Suzuki do?
Suzuki is heavily involved in community work in Montreal. He serves as ambassador for the Asista Foundation, which provides service dogs to people struggling with mental health issues. He’s committed to supporting the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation by acquiring a suite at Bell Centre to allow hundreds of youths in need to attend games. He and his wife Caitlin also co-chair the Canadiens Casino Night fundraising event, which raised over $270,000 in 2025.
8.What was Nick Suzuki’s most memorable playoff performance?
Suzuki’s most memorable playoff moment came in Game 5 of the 2021 first-round series against Toronto when he scored the overtime winner just 59 seconds into OT to keep the Canadiens’ season alive. That playoff run saw him lead the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, where he posted 16 points in 22 games, tied for the team lead.
9.How has Nick Suzuki improved throughout his career?
Suzuki has shown remarkable improvement in every NHL season. He’s increased his goal-scoring ability each year, going from 13 goals as a rookie to 30 in 2024-25. His faceoff percentage has improved dramatically, now consistently above 50 percent. He’s also become more defensively responsible while maintaining his offensive production, developing into a complete two-way center.
10.What records does Nick Suzuki hold?
Suzuki holds several notable records: he’s the first and only player to win the OHL’s William Hanley Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player) three consecutive times; he set a Guelph Storm franchise record with 42 playoff points in 2019; he’s the youngest captain in Montreal Canadiens history at age 23; and he holds the Storm playoff record with 16 goals in a single postseason.