Cale Makar: How Old Is, Wife, College, Stanley Cup, Injury, UMass

Cale Makar has established himself as one of the NHL’s premier defensemen since entering the league with the Colorado Avalanche. From his standout college career at UMass to winning the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy, Makar has built an impressive résumé at a remarkably young age.

As of August 2026, Makar is also making headlines for a historic contract extension with Colorado. Here is everything fans need to know about Cale Makar, including his age, wife, college career, Stanley Cup success, injury status and connection to UMass.

How old is Cale Makar?

Cale Makar was born on October 30, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is 27 years old as of August 2026.

Despite being only 27, Makar has already accumulated several of hockey’s biggest individual and team honors. He has won the Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies, the Conn Smythe Trophy and a Stanley Cup.

His combination of age, experience and elite production has made him one of the most valuable players in the NHL.

Who is Cale Makar’s wife?

Cale Makar is married to Tracy Evans. Reports indicate that the couple married in August 2024 after being longtime partners. Evans generally keeps a low public profile, and the couple has maintained considerable privacy around their personal life.

Makar also thanked his wife and family for their support after signing his latest contract with Colorado in August 2026.

Because Makar and Evans largely keep their relationship private, relatively little verified information about their personal life is publicly available.

Where did Cale Makar go to college?

Makar attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass), where he played college hockey for the Minutemen.

He spent two seasons at UMass from 2017 to 2019. During his collegiate career, he recorded 70 points on 21 goals and 49 assists in 75 games.

Makar’s sophomore season was particularly memorable. He won the 2019 Hobey Baker Award, becoming the first UMass player to receive the honor. He also helped the Minutemen reach the program’s first-ever Frozen Four.

The Colorado Avalanche selected Makar fourth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, making him the highest draft pick in UMass hockey history at the time.

Cale Makar and UMass

Makar’s two seasons at UMass played a major role in his development into an NHL star.

In 2018-19, he was named Hockey East Player of the Year and earned First Team All-American honors. His outstanding season helped put UMass hockey on the national stage.

His college career ended when he signed with the Colorado Avalanche after the 2018-19 season. He immediately made an impact in the NHL playoffs, beginning the next stage of his career.

Makar has continued to maintain a strong connection with his former school. In 2026, UMass recognized him after he helped Canada win a silver medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Makar recorded six points, including two goals and four assists, in six Olympic games.

Has Cale Makar won the Stanley Cup?

Yes. Cale Makar won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.

Colorado defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in the Stanley Cup Final. Makar was one of the central figures in the championship run.

He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. According to UMass, Makar became the youngest defenseman to win the award since Bobby Orr.

The 2021-22 season was particularly historic because Makar won three major honors:

• Stanley Cup
• Conn Smythe Trophy
• Norris Trophy

He became only the third defenseman in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe and Norris Trophy in the same season.

Cale Makar injury update

Makar dealt with an injury during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In May 2026, the Avalanche announced that Makar would miss Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights because of an undisclosed injury. Colorado coach Jared Bednar described him as day-to-day.

Makar had also appeared to be dealing with an issue during Colorado’s second-round series against the Minnesota Wild. He briefly left the ice during Game 5 before returning to action.

The injury was significant because it caused Makar to miss the first Stanley Cup Playoff game of his career.

However, there is no indication from the latest reports that the injury has become a long-term issue. Makar completed the 2025-26 regular season with 79 points in 75 games, according to his current career statistics.

Cale Makar’s NHL career

Makar was drafted by the Avalanche with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. His NHL debut came during Colorado’s 2019 playoff run.

He quickly became one of the league’s most productive defensemen. His résumé includes:

• 2020 Calder Trophy
• 2022 Stanley Cup
• 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy
• 2022 Norris Trophy
• 2025 Norris Trophy
• 2019 Hobey Baker Award
• Multiple NHL All-Star selections

Through his first 470 NHL regular-season games, Makar had recorded 136 goals, 371 assists and 507 points. Those numbers have placed him among the most productive defensemen in Avalanche franchise history.

Cale Makar’s new contract in 2026

Makar’s future in Colorado became even clearer on August 28, 2026.

The Avalanche signed him to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension. The deal has an average annual value of $20.4 million, making Makar the first NHL player with an average annual value above $20 million.

The extension begins with the 2027-28 season and runs through 2034-35.

The agreement reflects Makar’s importance to the Avalanche and his status as one of the NHL’s elite defensemen. Colorado has already seen him become a Stanley Cup champion, Conn Smythe winner and two-time Norris Trophy winner.

What makes Cale Makar special?

Makar combines skating ability, offensive production, puck movement and hockey intelligence in a way that separates him from many defensemen.

He is particularly dangerous when carrying the puck through the neutral zone and joining the offensive rush. His ability to create scoring chances while remaining an important part of Colorado’s defensive structure has made him a cornerstone of the Avalanche.

His development at UMass was also crucial. The Minutemen gave Makar the opportunity to play against high-level college competition, and his 2019 Hobey Baker-winning season helped establish him as an elite NHL prospect.

Cale Makar and Team Canada

Makar has also become an important player for Canada internationally.

He competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina as an alternate captain. Canada reached the gold-medal game, where Makar scored Canada’s only goal, but the team ultimately earned silver.

He finished the Olympic tournament with six points in six games.

Makar has also represented Canada at the World Junior Championship and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Cale Makar quick facts

FAQs about Cale Makar

How old is Cale Makar?

Cale Makar is 27 years old. He was born on October 30, 1998.

Who is Cale Makar’s wife?

Cale Makar’s wife is Tracy Evans. Reports say they married in August 2024.

Did Cale Makar go to UMass?

Yes. Makar played two seasons of college hockey at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 2017 to 2019.

Did Cale Makar win a Stanley Cup?

Yes. Makar won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

What happened to Cale Makar’s injury?

Makar missed Game 1 of the 2026 Western Conference Final because of an undisclosed injury. Colorado described him as day-to-day at the time.

What is Cale Makar’s new contract?

The Avalanche signed Makar to an eight-year, $163.2 million extension in August 2026. Its $20.4 million annual average value is the highest in NHL history.

Conclusion

Cale Makar’s journey from UMass standout to Stanley Cup champion has been remarkable. At just 27, he has already won the Hobey Baker Award, Calder Trophy, two Norris Trophies, Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup.

His 2026 injury briefly interrupted his playoff campaign, but his long-term outlook remains strong. With his new record-setting contract keeping him in Colorado through 2034-35, Makar is positioned to remain one of the NHL’s biggest stars for years to come.