Dylan McIlrath

Lore & Background

McIlrath played junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Warriors, who selected him 46th overall in the 2007 WHL bantam draft. He played 53 games in 2008–09, scoring one goal, and improved to seven goals in 65 games in 2009–10. He was selected for Team Orr at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game, where he won a fight against Alex Petrovic of Team Cherry. He played every game of the Warriors' seven-game playoff series against the Calgary Hitmen, recording an assist.

McIlrath signed his first NHL contract with the New York Rangers on March 17, 2011. He played two regular-season games with the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale, at the end of 2010–11, recording no points and seven penalty minutes. After Moose Jaw's elimination from the 2011–12 WHL playoffs, he rejoined the Whale and was later added to the Rangers' roster for the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. He spent the 2012–13 season in Connecticut and was again added to the Rangers' playoff roster. He made his NHL debut on December 12, 2013, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After a strong pre-season in 2015, McIlrath was named to the full 23-man roster on October 2, 2015, and scored his first NHL goal on December 15, 2015. He played 34 games for the Rangers in 2015–16, recording two goals and two assists with 64 penalty minutes. His most notable fight that season was on Valentine's Day against Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds, who had earlier concussed Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh. After a poor training camp in 2016, McIlrath was placed on waivers on October 27, 2016, and traded to the Florida Panthers on November 8, 2016, in exchange for Steven Kampfer and a conditional seventh-round pick. He was traded again on March 1, 2017, by the Panthers to the Detroit Red Wings along with a conditional third-round pick for Thomas Vanek. He was assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins, recording four assists in 21 regular-season games and five assists with a team-best plus-10 rating in 19 playoff games, helping the Griffins win the Calder Cup.

McIlrath signed a two-year contract extension with the Red Wings on June 29, 2017. He was recalled from the Griffins on March 24, 2019, after recording one goal and eight assists in 49 games, ranking first on the team in penalty minutes (94) and third in plus-minus (12). He appeared in seven games for the Red Wings in 2018–19. He signed another two-year extension on May 9, 2019, and was assigned to the Griffins on January 12, 2021. On July 28, 2021, he signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals as a free agent. He signed a two-year, two-way extension on July 2, 2023, and a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $1.6 million on March 27, 2025.

Reader's Guide

McIlrath's career illustrates the path of a high draft pick who developed into a reliable defensive presence through multiple organizations. Drafted 10th overall by the New York Rangers in 2010, he was expected to become a physical, shutdown defenceman. His junior career with the Moose Jaw Warriors included a notable fight at the CHL Top Prospects Game that raised his profile. After his NHL debut in 2013, he played 34 games for the Rangers in 2015–16, scoring his first goal and engaging in a memorable fight with Wayne Simmonds. However, a poor training camp in 2016 led to waivers and a trade to the Florida Panthers, then a second trade to the Detroit Red Wings within the same season. With the Grand Rapids Griffins, he helped win the Calder Cup in 2017, recording a team-best plus-10 rating in the playoffs. He signed multiple extensions with the Red Wings before joining the Washington Capitals as a free agent in 2021. His subsequent two-year extensions with the Capitals, including a one-way deal worth $1.6 million in 2025, reflect his continued value as a depth defenceman. McIlrath is of majority Scottish descent and was influenced as a junior by Shea Weber's playing style.

Did You Know?

• McIlrath was drafted 46th overall by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2007 WHL bantam draft.
• He won a fight against Alex Petrovic at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game.
• He helped the Grand Rapids Griffins win the Calder Cup in 2017 with a team-best plus-10 rating in the playoffs.
• McIlrath signed a two-year, one-way contract extension with the Capitals worth $1.6 million on March 27, 2025.