Jacob Ryan Trouba (born February 26, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and visual artist. He serves as captain of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Trouba was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Trouba played the first six years of his career in Winnipeg before he was traded to the Rangers in 2019.

Jacob Trouba
Trouba with the New York Rangers in November 2019
Born (1994-02-26) February 26, 1994 (age 30)
Rochester, Michigan, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
none team
Former teams
New York Rangers
Winnipeg Jets
National team  United States
NHL draft 9th overall, 2012
Winnipeg Jets
Playing career 2013–present

He was named the 28th captain of the Rangers in 2022 ahead of the 2022–23 season, a role which had been vacant since 2018 when Ryan McDonagh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Playing career

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Amateur

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As a youth, Trouba played in the 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Compuware minor ice hockey team.[1] He later played two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and at several international tournaments.[2] He was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, ninth overall of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.[2]

 
Trouba playing for the Wolverines in November 2012.

After finishing his junior hockey career, Trouba joined the University of Michigan for the 2012–13 season, where he played in 37 games for the Wolverines in his first season, scoring 12 goals and 17 assists.[3] At the end of the season, Trouba was named a First Team All-American and was also honored as the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's (CCHA) Best Offensive Defenseman. He was also named first team All-CCHA and an All-CCHA Rookie.[4] Trouba was also named as the team's Most Valuable Player and Best Defenseman.[4] He was the only freshman on the All-American team as well as being the first freshman in the history of the University of Michigan hockey to be named a First Team All-American.[5] At the conclusion of his freshman campaign, Trouba announced he was leaving the team to begin his professional career with the Jets.[6]

Professional (2013–present)

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Winnipeg Jets (2013–2019)

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Trouba with the Winnipeg Jets in October 2014.

On October 1, 2013, Trouba played his first career NHL game for the Jets, scoring his first NHL goal against Devan Dubnyk of the Edmonton Oilers. He also added an assist in the game and was named the game's first star.[7] During his rookie season, 2013–14, Trouba missed over a month of action after he was injured when he fell into the boards during a game against the St. Louis Blues. He remained upbeat in the aftermath of his injury, updating fans on Twitter by saying, "If you were wondering, the boards are not edible. I'll be back soon."[8][9]

On September 23, 2016, Trouba released a statement through his agent stating that he had requested a trade from the Jets.[10] However, on November 7, he agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract extension with the Jets.[11]

Following the Jets' successful 2018 playoffs in which the team reached the Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, Trouba filed for salary arbitration. On July 22, 2018, he was awarded a one-year, $5.5 million extension with the Jets.[12]

Trouba finished the 2018–19 regular season with 50 points,[13] and was one of only three defensemen under 25 to score 50 points or more, along with Morgan Rielly and Thomas Chabot.[14]

New York Rangers (2019–present)

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Following the 2018–19 season, Trouba and the Jets were once again unable to come to terms on an extension. On June 17, 2019, Trouba was traded by the Jets to the New York Rangers in exchange for Neal Pionk and Winnipeg's first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, which had been previously acquired by the Rangers in exchange for the Jets receiving Kevin Hayes.[15]

 
Trouba with the New York Rangers skating against Jaden Schwartz in October 2023.

On July 19, 2019, the Rangers signed Trouba to a seven-year, $56 million free-agent contract worth an average annual value of $8 million.[16]

Trouba scored his first goal for the Rangers, as well as two assists, during the 2019–20 season opener on October 3 against his former team, the Winnipeg Jets.[17] Trouba tied a career-high in points,[18] and he became the first defenseman to register three points in a Rangers debut.[19]

During the off-season, Trouba was named the 28th captain in franchise history. He is the first captain since Ryan McDonagh was traded during the 2017-18 season. He also becomes the 12th defenseman in team history to be named captain and the fourth consecutive U.S.-born player to wear the "C" on his sweater after Chris Drury (2008–11), Ryan Callahan (2011–14) and McDonagh (2014–18). Trouba had served as an alternate captain the previous two years while being lauded for his leadership abilities by both his first Rangers coach, David Quinn, and his successor, Gerard Gallant.[20]

During the 2022–23 season, during a 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at home, Trouba was involved in two separate on-ice incidents. In the first period, he fought Jujhar Khaira, whom he had concussed and knocked unconscious with an open-ice hit in the last game between the Rangers and Blackhawks the previous season.[21] Then, in the second period, with the Blackhawks leading 3-0, Trouba delivered an open-ice hit to Andreas Athanasiou, inciting a line brawl that included a fight between Trouba and Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. After the brawl, Trouba yelled at and threw his helmet towards the Rangers bench.[22][23][24] The incident and game was seen as a turning point in the Rangers season, who would go on a 22-4-4 run in their next 30 games.[citation needed]

On April 5, 2023, Trouba was named the recipient of the second annual "Mr. Ranger Award" presented in memory of Rod Gilbert. The award is given to the Rangers player "who best honors Rod's legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice, and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community."[25]

The 2023–24 regular season was a major success for the Rangers, who won the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top team. Trouba had three goals and 19 assists in 69 games, and received the Mark Messier Leadership Award in recognition of his "leadership qualities" and his extensive charitable activities.[26]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  
Ice hockey
Ice Hockey World Championships
  2013 Sweden/Finland
World Junior Championships
  2013 Ufa
World U18 Championships
  2011 Germany
  2012 Czech Republic
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
  2010 Canada

Trouba spent much of his amateur career playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program in the USHL and at several international tournaments. He represented his country at two World Under-18 Championships, one World Junior Championships and one World Senior Championship.[2] In 2011 and 2012, Trouba captured gold medals with the U.S. at the World Under-18 Championships.[27]

Trouba was the youngest player on the American team at the 2012 World Junior Championship.[28] In 2013, he represented the United States at both the junior and senior levels, capturing gold and bronze medals, respectively.[27] At the World Junior Championship in 2013, Trouba was named the tournament's top defenseman and earned a spot on the All-Star Team.[27]

Personal life

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Trouba was born to parents John and Krista and has a younger brother Chris. His brother also plays ice hockey and most recently played with the Plattsburgh State Cardinals.[29] On June 28, 2020, he posted on Instagram that he married his long-time girlfriend, Kelly Tyson.[30]

Trouba is also a visual artist, sharing his first paintings on Instagram in the summer of 2023. Trouba creates his works with artist Michael Geschwer by skating into blank canvases while wearing full hockey gear coated in paint.[31] He held his first exhibition from August 1, 2024 through August 23, 2024 at Harper's Gallery in New York City.

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 Pt PIM
2010–11 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 31 3 4 7 31
2010–11 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 17 4 12 16 18
2010–11 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 10 1 2 3 10
2011–12 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 22 4 14 18 35
2011–12 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 32 5 9 14 36
2012–13 University of Michigan CCHA 37 12 17 29 88
2013–14 Winnipeg Jets NHL 65 10 19 29 43
2014–15 Winnipeg Jets NHL 65 7 15 22 46 4 0 2 2 2
2015–16 Winnipeg Jets NHL 81 6 15 21 62
2016–17 Winnipeg Jets NHL 60 8 25 33 54
2017–18 Winnipeg Jets NHL 55 3 21 24 34 17 2 1 3 17
2018–19 Winnipeg Jets NHL 82 8 42 50 58 6 0 1 1 4
2019–20 New York Rangers NHL 70 7 20 27 61 3 0 1 1 0
2020–21 New York Rangers NHL 38 2 10 12 22
2021–22 New York Rangers NHL 81 11 28 39 88 20 1 4 5 25
2022–23 New York Rangers NHL 82 8 22 30 63 7 0 0 0 6
2023–24 New York Rangers NHL 69 3 19 22 73 16 1 6 7 22
NHL totals 748 73 236 309 604 73 4 15 19 76

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2011 United States U17   5 2 7 9 10
2011 United States U18   6 1 0 1 0
2012 United States WJC 7th 6 0 2 2 0
2012 United States U18   6 1 2 3 8
2013 United States WJC   7 4 5 9 10
2013 United States WC   7 1 2 3 2
2014 United States WC 6th 4 2 1 3 8
2016 Team North America WCH 5th 2 0 0 0 0
2017 United States WC 5th 8 1 2 3 2
Junior totals 30 8 16 24 28
Senior totals 21 4 5 9 12

Awards and honors

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Award Year Ref
USHL
All-Star Game 2011–12 [32]
College
All-CCHA Rookie Team 2012–13 [32]
All-CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman 2012–13 [32]
All-CCHA First Team 2012–13 [32]
AHCA West First-Team All-American 2012–13 [32]
CCHA All-Tournament Team 2013
NHL
Mark Messier Leadership Award 2023–24 [26]
International
World Junior Championships Top 3 Player on Team 2013 [32]
World Junior Championships All-Star Team 2013 [32]
World Junior Championships Best Defenseman 2013 [32]
New York Rangers
Mr. Ranger Award 2023 [25]

References

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  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Jacob Trouba, Jets". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  3. ^ "Jacob Trouba". University of Michigan. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Jacob Trouba Bio". University of Michigan. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  5. ^ "Trouba Selected as a First Team All American". University of Michigan. April 12, 2013. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  6. ^ Cunningham, Pete (April 2, 2013). "It's official: Jacob Trouba Leaving Michigan for NHL's Winnipeg Jets". The Ann Arbor News. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  7. ^ "Winnipeg Jets - Edmonton Oilers - October 1st, 2013". NHL.com.
  8. ^ "Jacob Trouba, Jets - Notes". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  9. ^ "jacob Trouba placed on injured reserve". National Hockey League. October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  10. ^ "Jacob Trouba requests trade from Winnipeg Jets - Sportsnet.ca". Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  11. ^ "Jets, Trouba agree to two-year $6m contract". The Sports Network. November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  12. ^ "Jets' Jacob Trouba awarded 1-year, $5.5M contract by arbitrator". ESPN. July 22, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  13. ^ "Jacob Trouba Game-by-Game Stats". ESPN. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  14. ^ Obernauer, Michael (October 5, 2019). "Game Day: Georgie Jumps In as Rangers Hit the Road". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  15. ^ "Jacob Trouba traded to Rangers by Jets". National Hockey League. June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  16. ^ "Rangers agree to terms with Jacob Trouba". New York Rangers. July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  17. ^ "Rangers win high-scoring opener vs. Jets". Reuters. October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  18. ^ @NYRStatsInfo (October 3, 2019). "Mika Zibanejad and Jacob Trouba have each recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in tonight's game. Trouba has tied a single-game career-high in points. #NYR" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Obernauer, Michael (October 5, 2019). "Game Day: Georgie Jumps In as Rangers Hit the Road". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  20. ^ Walker, Mollie (August 9, 2022). "Rangers naming Jacob Trouba captain after long stretch without one". New York Post. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  21. ^ Roumeliotis, Charlie (September 23, 2022). "Jujhar Khaira opens up about Jacob Trouba hit". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Trouba Lands Huge Hit on Andreas Athanasiou, Fights Jonathan Toews in Response". Markerzone.com.
  23. ^ "Jacob Trouba Screams At Teammates and Rages After Losing a Fight to a Blackhawk". HawksInsider.
  24. ^ Wegman, Josh (December 5, 2022). "Athanasiou: Trouba 'trying to hurt people' with high hits". theScore.com.
  25. ^ a b "Jacob Trouba Honored with Second Annual Rod Gilbert "Mr. Ranger" Award". NHL.com. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Rangers captain Trouba wins Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award". NHL.com. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  27. ^ a b c Podnieks, Andrew (ed.). IIHF Guide & Record Book 2014. Toronto: Fenn/McLelland & Stewart. p. 411.
  28. ^ "Trouba, Jacob". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  29. ^ "Chris Trouba". Plattsburgh State Cardinals. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  30. ^ "NHL Power Couples: The Women Behind The World's Greatest Hockey Players – Page 56 – Herald Weekly". www.heraldweekly.com. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  31. ^ Russo, Michael (September 18, 2023). "How Jacob Trouba, one of the NHL's hardest hitters, found his artistic side". The Athletic. The New York Times Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h "Jacob Trouba Player Profile". Elite Prospects. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winnipeg Jets first round draft pick
2012
Succeeded by
Preceded by CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman
2012–13
Succeeded by
Award Discontinued
Sporting positions
Preceded by New York Rangers captain
2022–present
Incumbent