Brief Introduction of Devon Toews
Devon Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Renowned for his exceptional skating, puck-moving abilities, and strong defensive play, Toews has established himself as one of the premier defensemen in the league. He was drafted 108th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. After a successful collegiate career at Quinnipiac University, he turned professional and eventually became a key player for the Islanders before a trade to the Colorado Avalanche in 2020. With the Avalanche, he has formed a formidable defensive pairing with Cale Makar and was instrumental in their 2022 Stanley Cup championship victory. His journey from an overlooked, undersized youth player to an NHL star is a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
Devon Toews Overview
| Full Name | Devon Toews |
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1994 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 31 |
| Birthplace | Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada |
| Profession | Professional Ice Hockey Player |
| Husband/Wife | Kerry Wetzelberger |
| Family | Werner Toews (Father), Tammy Toews (Mother), Nolan Toews (Brother) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married |
| Net Worth | Information not publicly available |
Early Life and Education of Devon Toews
Devon Toews was born on February 21, 1994, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, to Werner and Tammy Toews. He was raised in a Mennonite Brethren community and attended the Mennonite Educational Institute for his elementary and secondary education. Growing up, his parents were avid baseball fans, naming him after former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Devon White and his brother, Nolan, after pitcher Nolan Ryan. Despite this, Devon gravitated towards ice hockey, beginning his journey at the Yale Hockey Academy at the age of six. A significant challenge in his early career was his small stature. As a bantam player, standing at just 5’2″, he was often overlooked by Western Hockey League (WHL) scouts, and was even cut from a AAA team due to concerns about his size. However, his talent and determination were undeniable. He played for the Abbotsford Hawks Bantam A1 team, helping them secure a provincial title. After being encouraged by a coach to switch to defense, he began to truly find his game, utilizing his intelligence and skating ability to overcome his physical disadvantages. Following his time in minor hockey, Toews played for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), where he continued to develop and showcase his skills, eventually earning a scholarship to Quinnipiac University. At Quinnipiac, he majored in accounting while excelling on the ice. He was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team multiple times.
Devon Toews’s Career
Devon Toews’s path to the NHL was one of persistence. After being passed over in two consecutive NHL drafts, the New York Islanders selected him in the fourth round, 108th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He played three seasons of collegiate hockey with the Quinnipiac Bobcats, where he became a standout defenseman. In his final season, he helped lead the team to the 2016 NCAA National Championship game and was named to the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team.
Professional Beginnings
Toews turned professional in 2016, signing an entry-level contract with the Islanders. He was assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In his rookie AHL season, he was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team and participated in the AHL All-Star Classic, where he won the Fastest Skater competition. A shoulder injury cut his second professional season short, but he returned strong the following year. After a productive start to the 2018-19 season in Bridgeport, he earned his first NHL recall.
New York Islanders
Toews made his NHL debut on December 23, 2018, against the Dallas Stars. He quickly proved he belonged in the league, and in his fifth game, he scored his first NHL goal in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks. He became a regular on the Islanders’ blue line, helping them qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs in both of his full seasons with the team. During the 2019 playoffs, he scored his first postseason goal.
Colorado Avalanche and Stanley Cup Champion
In October 2020, due to salary cap constraints faced by the Islanders, Toews was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for two second-round draft picks. This trade would prove to be a significant turning point in his career and a major acquisition for the Avalanche. He immediately signed a four-year contract with his new team. In Colorado, he was paired with superstar defenseman Cale Makar, and the duo quickly became recognized as arguably the best defensive pairing in the NHL. Toews’s exceptional two-way play and high hockey IQ perfectly complemented Makar’s dynamic offensive abilities. In his first season with the Avalanche, he led the team in average ice time. The pinnacle of his career came in the 2021-22 season when he played a crucial role in the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory. He continued to be a cornerstone of the Avalanche defense, and in October 2023, he signed a seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension.
Devon Toews Personal Life & Family
Devon Toews is a family man. He is married to Kerry Wetzelberger. The couple became engaged in 2018 and tied the knot in October 2020. Their wedding had a charitable component, as in lieu of traditional wedding favors, they made a donation to Hockey Fights Cancer in memory of Demetra Anas, the mother of Toews’s former Quinnipiac teammate, Sam Anas. Devon and Kerry have two children: a son named Bennett, born in 2021, and a daughter, Baylah Rose, born in December 2022. His family background is rooted in a journey across continents; his grandfather was born in the Chortitza Mennonite settlement in Ukraine, and the family later lived in Paraguay and Bolivia before immigrating to Canada. Toews’s father, Werner, was born in Bolivia. He is not related to former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. Toews and his family have made Denver their home.
Awards and Achievements of Devon Toews
- BCHL All-Rookie Team (2012)
- BCHL First All-Star Team (2013)
- MVP of BCHL Western Canada Cup (2013)
- Top Defenceman at BCHL RBC Cup (2013)
- All-ECAC (NCAA) Second Team (2016)
- NCAA (ECAC) Champion (2016)
- AHL All-Rookie Team (2017)
- AHL All-Star (2017)
- Stanley Cup Champion (2022)
Devon Toews Net Worth and Income
While an exact net worth for Devon Toews is not publicly available, his earnings from his professional hockey career are substantial. In October 2023, he signed a lucrative seven-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche worth $50.75 million. This contract carries an average annual salary, or cap hit, of $7.25 million and will run through the 2030-31 season. Prior to this extension, he was on a four-year, $16.4 million contract with the Avalanche. His career earnings as of the 2024-25 season are projected to be well over $30 million.
Legacy and Influence
Devon Toews’s legacy will be that of a player who defied the odds. Overlooked for years due to his size, he has become one of the most effective and respected defensemen in the NHL. His journey serves as an inspiration for smaller players, proving that hockey sense, skating, and skill can triumph over perceived physical limitations. With the Avalanche, he has become a critical component of a championship-caliber team, and his pairing with Cale Makar will be remembered as one of the most dominant in its era. His calm, steady presence on the blue line, combined with his offensive contributions, makes him an invaluable asset. He is often praised for his high hockey IQ and his ability to make smart plays with and without the puck. Off the ice, his charitable actions, such as the donation made at his wedding, reflect a commitment to his community. He has also expressed a desire to help parents with the financial burdens of youth hockey, remembering the sacrifices his own parents made.
Interesting Facts about Devon Toews
- He was named after former Toronto Blue Jays player Devon White.
- He is not related to fellow NHL player Jonathan Toews.
- He won the Fastest Skater competition at the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic.
- Toews and his wife made a donation to Hockey Fights Cancer in lieu of wedding favors.
- He majored in accounting while at Quinnipiac University.
- He was passed over in two NHL drafts before being selected by the New York Islanders.
- He is of Mennonite heritage, with his family having roots in Ukraine, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
Controversies
There are no widely reported controversies involving Devon Toews. He is known for his professional and focused demeanor both on and off the ice.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Not publicly available
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not applicable
Final Words about Devon Toews
Devon Toews’s story is a powerful narrative of perseverance and skill overcoming early-career obstacles. From being an undersized and overlooked prospect to a Stanley Cup champion and a top-pairing defenseman on one of the league’s best teams, his career trajectory is remarkable. His intelligent, two-way game has made him an indispensable part of the Colorado Avalanche. Locked into a long-term contract, Toews is poised to continue his elite level of play for years to come, further solidifying his legacy as one of the premier defensemen of his generation. His journey from Abbotsford to the pinnacle of the hockey world is a testament to his hard work, belief in himself, and the support of his family.
