Noah Hanifin (born January 25, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Carolina Hurricanes, who drafted him fifth overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft, and the Calgary Flames.
Early life Born in Boston on January 25, 1997, to Bob, a court officer, and Tina Hanifin. Hanifin grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts, with two younger siblings – Cole and Lily. His father was diagnosed with colon and kidney cancer when Hanifin was 13. Growing up, he attended Saint Sebastian's School, where he played for the varsity team in the eighth grade.
Playing career
Amateur Hanifin was projected to be a top-three pick for the 2015 NHL entry draft, and the number-one-rated defenseman. He was picked fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes. Hanifin played for the USA Hockey's U17 program based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, but was added to the U18 national team as an underage player, helping to lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships. He was the highest-scoring American defenseman of the tournament with one goal and five points. After fast-tracking his high school graduation, Hanifin matriculated at Boston College as a 17-year-old, playing for the Eagles and becoming the second-youngest player in the team's history.
Professional
Carolina Hurricanes Hanifin was selected fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2015 NHL entry draft. On July 11, 2015, Hanifin signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes forgoing the remainder of his college eligibility. He made his NHL debut October 8, 2015, against the Nashville Predators. Hanifin scored his first NHL goal against Anton Khudobin of the Anaheim Ducks on November 16, 2015. Hanifin finished his rookie season with 4 goals and 22 points in 79 games.
On January 15, 2018, Hanifin was selected as the sole representative of the Hurricanes at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. On March 19, 2018, Hanifin was diagnosed with a concussion and was ruled out indefinitely. After missing just three games, Hanifin returned to the Hurricanes' lineup on March 24 in a 5–2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Hanifin scored what ended up being the game-winning goal. Despite the Hurricanes not qualifying for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Hanifin ended the regular season with a career-high 10 goals and 32 points.
Calgary Flames
On June 23, 2018, Hanifin was traded to the Calgary Flames (along with teammate Elias Lindholm) in exchange for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland, and prospect Adam Fox. On August 30, the Flames signed Hanifin to a six-year, $29.7 million contract extension worth $4.95 million annually.
On February 6, 2021, in a regular-season game against the Edmonton Oilers, Hanifin became the sixth-youngest U.S.-born player to reach the milestone of 400 NHL games played. Calgary defeated Edmonton 6–4.
Vegas Golden Knights On March 6, 2024, Hanifin was traded in a three-team deal to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Daniil Miromanov, a first-round draft pick, and a conditional third-round draft pick, while the Philadelphia Flyers received a fifth-round pick from Vegas for retaining half of Hanifin's salary. Hanifin later signed an eight-year, $58.8 million extension with Vegas on April 11, 2024.
International play
Hanifin has represented the United States internationally at the 2014 U17 World Hockey Challenge, 2014 U18 World Championships, the 2015 World Junior Championships, the 2015 World Championship, and the 2017 World Championship.
On January 2, 2026, he was named to United States' roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Personal life
Hanifin and his wife Monique were married in August 2024. They have lived in Las Vegas since Hanifin was traded to the Golden Knights.
Amid backlash faced by the men's Olympic hockey team regarding the inclusion of FBI director Kash Patel during their gold medal celebrations and members of the team laughing at President Trump's comments of being impeached if he did not invite the women's team to the White House, the team was invited to meet with the president and attend the State of the Union. Hanifin was among the majority who visited with the president and attended the State of the Union.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2010–11 Saint Sebastian's School USHS 27 2 9 11 — — — — — — 2011–12 Saint Sebastian's School USHS 28 5 24 29 — — — — — — 2012–13 Saint Sebastian's School USHS 28 10 24 34 — — — — — — 2013–14 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 31 6 14 20 18 — — — — — 2013–14 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 45 8 24 32 34 — — — — — 2013–14 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 14 2 11 13 4 — — — — — 2014–15 Boston College HE 37 5 18 23 16 — — — — —2015–16Carolina HurricanesNHL794182222—————2016–17Carolina HurricanesNHL814252926—————2017–18Carolina HurricanesNHL7910223221—————2018–19Calgary FlamesNHL805283312501142019–20Calgary FlamesNHL7051722121004402020–21Calgary FlamesNHL474111518—————2021–22Calgary FlamesNHL81103848191203342022–23Calgary FlamesNHL817313833—————2023–24Calgary FlamesNHL6111243522—————2023–24Vegas Golden KnightsNHL19210122723502024–25Vegas Golden KnightsNHL80102939141114522025–26Vegas Golden KnightsNHL713252814220772NHL totals82975278353215673222512
International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2014 United States U17 6 1 2 3 10 2014 United States WJC18 7 1 4 5 4 2015 United States WJC 5th 5 0 2 2 0 2016 United States WC 4th 10 1 2 3 4 2017 United States WC 5th 8 0 2 2 2 2019 United States WC 7th 8 1 3 4 0 2025 United States 4NF 2nd 4 0 0 0 4 2026 United States OG 6 1 2 3 0 Junior totals 18 2 8 10 14 Senior totals 36 3 9 12 10
Awards and honors Award Year RefCollege Hockey East All-Rookie Team 2015 Hockey East Second Team All-Star 2015 New England All-Star 2015NHL NHL All-Star Game 2018 Calgary Flames Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award 2022
References
External links
Noah Hanifin at Milano Cortina 2026