Jayden Struble
Jayden Struble is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. He was selected in the second round, 46th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2019 NHL entry draft.
Playing career
Early years
As a youth, Struble played in the 2014 iteration of the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor [ice hockey #United States|minor ice hockey] team from Long Island, New York.Collegiate
After a successful high school hockey career at St. Sebastian's School, Struble played collegiately with the Boston-based Northeastern Huskies of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for four years beginning in the 2019–20 [NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2019–20 NCAA season]. While with the program, he played on the second power play unit and was used in all on-ice situations.Professional
Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 2019 NHL entry draft, Struble signed a two-year entry-level contract with the team following his senior year with Northeastern on March 15, 2023.After beginning the 2023–24 season with the Canadiens' American Hockey League affiliate, the Laval Rocket, Struble was assessed a three-game suspension by league officials for Penalty (ice hockey) #List of infractions that result in [game misconduct penalties|leaving the bench] during a game versus the Manitoba Moose on November 12, 2023. A week later, he was recalled by Montreal after injuries to defenseman Arber Xhekaj and forward Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, and made his NHL debut on November 22 against the Anaheim Ducks. Struble recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in his second career game on November 24 versus the San Jose Sharks, whereas his first NHL goal came on December 9 against Devon Levi in a 3–2 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres. After the Canadiens failed to qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, he was one of four players reassigned to Laval to end the season. Collectively, Struble finished his rookie NHL campaign with three goals and seven assists across 56 games played.
Spending the majority of the 2024–25 season with Montreal, Struble was reassigned to the Rocket on January 24, 2025 for conditioning purposes. Days later, he was recalled by the Canadiens on January 29. On March 25, 2025, Struble skated in his 100th career NHL game on the road versus the St. Louis Blues.
Entering the offseason as a restricted free agent, Struble was extended a qualifying offer by the Canadiens on June 30, 2025. Thereafter, he elected for salary arbitration on July 5, and ultimately agreed to a two-year contract extension with the team on July 28.