Ice Hockey - 2026

A fifteen year National Hockey League veteran, Jason Zucker just completed a successful 2026 season with the Buffalo Sabres, leading them to their first Stanley Cup playoff appearance in fourteen years. Born in Newport Beach before moving to Las Vegas, he again lived in Los Angeles between 11 and 15 to play for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and Los Angeles Select. He played on the gold medal winning teams at the 2009 and 2010 World Juniors, and was a member of the bronze medal winning team in 2011. Playing for the University of Denver in 2010–11, he was the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year.

Jason was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the second round (No. 59) of the 2010 NHL Draft. Known as one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, his mother, Natalie, is a former competitive figure skater, and his father, Scott, is a general contractor who built ice and roller rinks when Jason was young, allowing his then kindergarten-aged son hours a day of free skating time.

Jason scored at least 20 goals in four straight seasons (2016-20), with NHL career-highs of 33 goals and 64 points in 2017-18. He won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contribution in 2018-19. After playing four years with Pittsburgh through 2024, Zucker signed a one-year contract with Buffalo for the 2024-25 and currently is under contract through 2026-27. He has played in 832 NHL games, more than anyone else on the Buffalo roster.