Trevor Zegras

Lore & Background

Zegras began skating at age three and played in the Rising Stars youth program with his cousins. At age 10, he faced future NHL player Jack Hughes at the Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament.

He played bantam major hockey with the Mid Fairfield Rangers and later attended Avon Old Farms, where he recorded 42 points in one season. He then joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, playing for both the under-17 and under-18 teams, tallying 59 and 87 points respectively. Despite being drafted by Anaheim, he honored his commitment to Boston University, where he tied for third among Division I freshmen in points with 36 and earned Hockey East honors.

Zegras signed an entry-level contract with the Ducks in March 2020 and made his NHL debut in February 2021. He scored his first NHL goal in an overtime win against the Arizona Coyotes, and later that season was moved from left wing to center in the AHL to aid his development. In the 2021–22 season, he became a mainstay on the Ducks' lineup, recorded a lacrosse-style assist to Sonny Milano, and was named NHL Rookie of the Month for December 2021.

He finished his first full season with 23 goals and 38 assists, becoming a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist. The following season he led the team in all statistical categories with a career-high 65 points. In 2023–24, he signed a three-year, $17.25 million contract after a holdout, but struggled with injuries including osteitis pubis and a broken ankle.

International play

On June 23, 2025, Zegras was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick. He tied his career high for goals (23) after scoring in overtime against the Dallas Stars on March 29, 2026. The Flyers re-signed him to a four-year, $36.5 million contract on July 16, 2026. Internationally, Zegras won a gold medal with the United States junior team at the 2021 World Junior Championships, where he was named tournament MVP after recording seven goals and 11 assists, tying the U.S. points record.

Reader's Guide

Trevor Zegras entered the NHL as a highly skilled playmaker whose unorthodox style—exemplified by a never-before-seen lacrosse-style assist in December 2021—quickly made him a fan favorite and a marketing asset, becoming the cover athlete for NHL 23. His rookie season placed him among the league's top first-year players, earning a Calder Memorial Trophy nomination. Despite early success, his tenure with the Anaheim Ducks was marked by contract disputes and injuries, including a holdout in 2023 and multiple stints on injured reserve.

His trade to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2025 represented a fresh start, and he immediately matched his career high in goals. Zegras' international performance at the 2021 World Junior Championships, where he led the tournament in scoring and was named MVP, underscored his ability to perform on big stages. His legacy is still developing, but his creative offensive contributions and highlight-reel plays have already distinguished him as one of the more inventive players of his generation.