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Kirby Dach

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Kirby Dach
Dach in 2019
Born (2001-01-21) January 21, 2001 (age 23)
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 217 lb (98 kg; 15 st 7 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks
NHL draft 3rd overall, 2019
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2019–present

Kirby Dach (born January 21, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, third overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

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Dach was born January 21, 2001, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta,[1] to parents Dale and Hillary.[2] Around the age of five, he began playing ice hockey with his brother, practicing in a backyard rink and on Garner Lake near his family's cabin.[3][4] A childhood fan of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL), he would frequently attend games at Rexall Place with his father.[3] Dach often played minor ice hockey above his age level,[5] including during his time with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers of the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL). During his 13-year-old season with the Rangers, he recorded 100 points in 33 games, breaking Tyler Benson's 84-point league record.[6]

Playing career

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Junior

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Selected second overall by the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the 2016 Bantam Draft,[7] Dach immediately signed with the team thereafter.[8] Following a series of mid-season injuries to the team's forward core, the Blades received permission to promote Dach, an underage player, for the remainder of the 2016–17 season.[9] On February 10, 2017, he scored his first major junior goal in a game against the Moose Jaw Warriors.[10] Collectively, Dach appeared in 19 games for the Blades that season, scoring six goals and 10 points in that span.[11] He joined the Blades full-time for the 2017–18 season, recording seven goals and 39 assists in 52 games played.

In January 2019, Dach was named as an alternate captain for the Blades for the remainder of the 2018–19 season. He was likewise named captain for Team Orr at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,[12] where he recorded an assist.[13] Dach ultimately finished the WHL season with 25 goals and 48 assists in 62 games and ranked third amongst North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting Services (CSS)' final draft rankings for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. After being selected third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks,[14] he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team that July.

Professional

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Chicago Blackhawks (2019–2022)

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Dach began his professional career early into the 2019–20 season, making his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals on October 20, 2019.[15] A few days later, he scored his first NHL goal against Marc-André Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights in a 2–1 loss on October 22.[16] Prior to the season's premature end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dach finished with eight goals and 15 assists in 64 games.[17] His point production was comparable to that of Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko, being the predecessor picks from his draft class.[18]

With the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs being reorganized to be held in a bubble format in the cities of Edmonton and Toronto, Dach rejoined the Blackhawks for their qualifying round matchup versus the Edmonton Oilers, with the foregoing being considered series favourites.[19] However, the Blackhawks ultimately staged an upset, ousting the Oilers three games to one in a best-of-five. Dach was widely credited as being one of the team's best players during the series, recording four assists in the first three games.[20][21] He scored his first career playoff goal on August 13 versus the Vegas Golden Knights and became just the sixth teenaged player to score a playoff goal for the Blackhawks, and the first to do so since Jeremy Roenick in 1989.[22] Eliminated by the Golden Knights in five games, Dach finished the playoffs with one goal and five assists across nine games.[23][18]

After sustaining an injury to his wrist during the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Dach subsequently missed much of the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 NHL season.[17] He rejoined the Blackhawks on March 27, 2021,[17] appearing in 18 total games (tallying two goals and eight assists) before reaggravating his wrist injury.[24]

The following 2021–22 season was a struggle for both Dach personally as well as the Blackhawks overall, prompting wholesale management turnover for the latter. For his part, Dach managed only nine goals and 17 assists in 70 games, while also facing struggles in the faceoff circle.[25][26] Many observers considered it a poor sign that he was unable to generate offensively despite pairing with high caliber linemates such as Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, while also noting that the Blackhawks' organizational depth had likely "pushed Dach into a role he was not even close to ready for."[27] With new team general manager Kyle Davidson initiating a rebuild, there were discussions of trading Dach elsewhere.[25]

Montreal Canadiens (2022–present)

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On July 7, 2022, during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Dach was traded by the Blackhawks to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for that year's 13th overall pick as well as a third-round selection.[28] The Canadiens had initially moved defenceman Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders to acquire the 13th overall pick in order to make said trade, as general manager Kent Hughes stated that he believed Dach could live up to his potential despite his struggles in preceding seasons.[29]

On September 7, Dach signed a four-year, $13.45 million extension with the Canadiens.[30] He scored his first goal with the team on October 17, giving them a 3–2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime.[31] Following the game, Dach said that he "felt like I got a couple of opportunities in previous games to get my first one. But no better feeling than getting your first one on a new team at home."[32] Though the Canadiens had initially acquired Dach to play at the centre position, he was experimentally moved to the wing on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield whereas the configuration garnered strong initial results.[33][34][35] He credited head coach Martin St. Louis for having allowed him "to go out and have fun again, enjoy the game of hockey."[36] In his first game back at the United Center in Chicago following the aforementioned trade, he scored the decisive shootout goal, giving the Canadiens a 3–2 win over his former team.[37] Dach was eventually moved back to centre by midseason, following an injury to teammate Sean Monahan.[38] Despite his own season being limited to just 58 games after an injury sustained in March, Dach nonetheless managed to set a new career high of 38 points.[39]

Entering the 2023–24 season with high expectations, Dach was given two new wingers in Juraj Slafkovský, the Canadiens' first overall selection in 2022, and fellow 2019 draftee Alex Newhook, newly acquired from the Colorado Avalanche via trade. The trio performed strongly in their first game together, with Dach recording two assists.[40] However, on October 14, Dach exited early on into just the second game of the season after being checked into the boards by Blackhawks defenceman Jarred Tinordi.[41][39] It was later reported that he had torn both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL), and required season-ending surgery.[42]

In the opening game of the 2024–25 season versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dach registered his 100th career NHL point.[43][44]

International play

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In 2018, Dach was named to the Canadian national under-18 team for the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he scored two goals and five assists in five tournament games.[45] In the gold medal game against the Swedish national under-18 team, Dach scored a first period goal, helping Canada to a 6–2 victory.[46]

After being loaned by the Blackhawks to the national junior team for the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Dach was named as team captain.[47] On December 23, in Canada's lone pre-tournament game played against the Russian national junior team, Dach bumped into opposing forward Ilya Safonov, injuring himself, and was forced to leave the game as a result. X-rays later confirmed Dach had sustained a fracture in his wrist, whereas he missed the remainder of the tournament.[48]

Personal life

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Dach's younger brother, Colton, was selected by the Blackhawks in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.[49] According to his sibling, the biggest difference in their playing styles is that "(Kirby is) pass-first and I'm a shoot-first player."[50]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 Fort Saskatchewan Rangers AMHL 34 14 21 35 12 — — — — —
2016–17 Fort Saskatchewan Rangers AMHL 22 6 20 26 6 — — — — —
2016–17 Saskatoon Blades WHL 19 6 4 10 4 — — — — —
2017–18 Saskatoon Blades WHL 52 7 39 46 12 — — — — —
2018–19 Saskatoon Blades WHL 62 25 48 73 40 10 5 3 8 6
2019–20 Rockford IceHogs AHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2019–20 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 64 8 15 23 24 9 1 5 6 4
2020–21 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 18 2 8 10 4 — — — — —
2021–22 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 70 9 17 26 43 — — — — —
2022–23 Montreal Canadiens NHL 58 14 24 38 43 — — — — —
2023–24 Montreal Canadiens NHL 2 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
NHL totals 212 33 66 99 114 9 1 5 6 4

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2017 Canada Black U17 7th 5 1 6 7 2
2018 Canada HG18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 2 5 7 0
Junior totals 10 3 11 14 2

References

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  1. ^ "Kirby Dach Stats and News". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  2. ^ Baum, Carter (October 21, 2019). "Feature: Little Sleep, Long Travel for Dach Family to see Kirby's Debut". Chicago Blackhawks. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  3. ^ a b Pope, Ben (June 18, 2022). "As Kirby and Colton Dach prepare for NHL future together, Dale Dach amazed by their blossoming careers". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  4. ^ "Saskatoon Blades' Kirby Dach a hot prospect in upcoming NHL draft". CBC News. March 18, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Greenfield, Jimmy (June 23, 2019). "5 things to know about Blackhawks first-round draft pick Kirby Dach, including his childhood quirks and wearing No. 77". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "The Road To The NHL: Kirby Dach". CHL.ca. June 21, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  7. ^ "Blades nab their guy in Dach". CHL.ca. May 5, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  8. ^ "Blades ink top prospects". CHL.ca. May 9, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  9. ^ "WHL Next Generation: Kirby Dach". CHL.ca. September 16, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  10. ^ Flaherty, Ryan (June 21, 2019). "Draft dream about to come true for Saskatoon Blades' Kirby Dach". Global News. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Zary, Darren (April 20, 2017). "Blades brass pumped about promising young prospects". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  12. ^ Zary, Darren (January 21, 2019). "2019 NHL Entry Draft: Blades' Kirby Dach ranked No. 2 in North America". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  13. ^ "Team Orr completes thrilling comeback in 5-4 victory". Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  14. ^ Myers, Tracey (June 24, 2019). "Dach aims to prove Blackhawks right at choosing him No. 3 in NHL Draft". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 24, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  15. ^ Thompson, Phil (October 20, 2019). "Kirby Dach starts at center on the first line in his Blackhawks debut: 'He looked comfortable'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "Kirby Dach Scores 1st Career Goal for Blackhawks". NBC Chicago. October 22, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c Thompson, Phil (March 22, 2021). "3 things we learned from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, including plans for Kirby Dach and a focus on defense: 'We can execute better and have more of a killer instinct'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Terry, Dylan (September 5, 2020). "Blackhawks: Kirby Dach Might Just Be The Real Deal After Playoffs". FanSided. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  19. ^ Larking, Roy (July 21, 2020). "Get to Know Your Stanley Cup Playoff Teams: Oilers vs. Blackhawks Odds". SI.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  20. ^ Roumeliotis, Charlie (August 6, 2020). "Blackhawks' Kirby Dach emerging as a star and living up to "playoff performer" hype". NBC Chicago. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  21. ^ Ellis, Steven (April 2, 2021). "Kirby Dach is going to be vital as Blackhawks chase a playoff spot". The Hockey News. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "Blackhawks Center Kirby Dach Joins Elite Company With 1st Career Playoff Goal". NBC Chicago. August 13, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Spiegel, Jackie (November 18, 2020). "World Juniors 2021: Canada's Kirby Dach with an assist for the ages during practice". SportingNews.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  24. ^ Roumeliotis, Charlie (May 4, 2021). "Blackhawks' Kirby Dach sidelined with wrist aggravation". NBC Chicago. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "What should the Blackhawks do about Kirby Dach?". SB Nation. June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  26. ^ Kauchak, Gail (May 1, 2022). "Chicago Blackhawks' 2021-22 Player Grades: Forwards". TheHockeyWriters.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  27. ^ Stephens, Mike (September 9, 2022). "Can the Canadiens unlock Kirby Dach?". The Athletic. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  28. ^ "Canadiens, Islanders, Blackhawks complete three-team deal". TSN.ca. July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  29. ^ Cowan, Stu (July 8, 2022). "Canadiens GM Kent Hughes puts his plan into action". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  30. ^ Stephens, Mike (September 7, 2022). "Canadiens Sign Dach to Four-Year Extension". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  31. ^ Engels, Eric (October 17, 2022). "Mature Guhle dominant in Canadiens' win over Crosby, Penguins". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  32. ^ Hickey, Pat (October 17, 2022). "'The guys delivered' after St. Louis pulled goalie with 2:23 left". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  33. ^ Hickey, Pat (November 6, 2022). "Chemistry of Caufield, Dach, Suzuki line is paying dividends". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  34. ^ Basu, Arpon (November 6, 2022). "The Canadiens are a Rubik's Cube that Martin St. Louis has only begun to solve". The Athletic. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  35. ^ D'Amico, Marco (November 6, 2022). "Martin St-Louis Praises Kirby Dach's Play On Canadiens' Top Line". MontrealHockeyNow.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  36. ^ Ferrari, Tony (November 22, 2022). "The Kirby Dach redemption tour is on in Montreal". The Hockey News. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  37. ^ Hickey, Pat (November 25, 2022). "Kirby Dach stars in Windy City reboot". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  38. ^ Cowan, Stu (December 10, 2022). "Canadiens moving Kirby Dach back to centre against Kings". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  39. ^ a b Engels, Eric (October 16, 2023). "Kirby Dach's long-term absence leaves giant hole in middle of Canadiens' lineup". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  40. ^ Leijon, Erik (October 12, 2023). "Kirby Dach's line shines in inconsistent opener for Habs". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  41. ^ Belanger-Champagne, Alexis (October 16, 2023). "Canadiens lose forward Kirby Dach to 'significant' lower-body injury". CBC Sports. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  42. ^ "Kirby Dach to miss the remainder of the season". Montreal Canadiens. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  43. ^ Hains, Karine (October 9, 2024). "Canadiens: Big Rivalry On A Big Night". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  44. ^ "TOR@MTL: Game recap". Montreal Canadiens. October 9, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  45. ^ "11 WHL players win gold with Canada at 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup". CHL.ca. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  46. ^ "Game Summary". Hockey Canada. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  47. ^ "Kirby Dach named Team Canada captain for 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship". Hockey Canada. December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  48. ^ "Team Canada captain Kirby Dach out for remainder of World Juniors". Sportsnet.ca. December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  49. ^ "Colton Dach". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  50. ^ Thompson, Phil (July 25, 2021). "Seth and Caleb Jones. Kirby and Colton Dach. The Chicago Blackhawks are cornering the NHL market on reuniting brothers in the organization". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick
2019 		Succeeded by
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