Luke Schenn

Luke Schenn
Born	(1989-11-02) November 2, 1989 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Occupation	Professional ice hockey defenceman
Known for	NHL player for Winnipeg Jets; two-time Stanley Cup champion (2020, 2021)

Luke Schenn (born November 2, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets in the National Hockey League (NHL). His junior career included time with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he earned a place on the League’s Second All-Star Team during his final season. Considered a premier prospect in the 2008 NHL entry draft, Schenn was selected fifth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Schenn launched his NHL journey in the 2008–09 season with Toronto and was later traded to Philadelphia after the 2011–12 campaign. Following his rookie year, he was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team. He achieved back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. On the international stage, Schenn secured gold at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and silver at the 2009 World Championships while representing Canada.

Recognized as a stay-at-home defenceman, Schenn prioritizes defensive responsibilities over offensive contributions. His robust physicality and impressive "old man strength" rank him among the NHL’s leaders in hits, holding the record for most hits by a defenseman in league history. Off the ice, his charitable initiative "Luke's Troops" has supported military families attending Maple Leafs games. His younger brother, Brayden Schenn, also drafted fifth overall in 2009, serves as captain of the St. Louis Blues.

Minor

Schenn’s minor hockey tenure began with the Saskatoon Red Wings under the guidance of his father, Jeff. During the 2004–05 season, he competed in AAA midget hockey for the Saskatoon Contacts, who captured the 2005 Telus Cup as national midget champions of Canada. Concurrently, he was chosen 20th overall in the first round of the 2004 Western Hockey League (WHL) bantam draft by Kelowna Rockets.

Junior

Schenn joined Kelowna Rockets late in their 2004–05 Memorial Cup pursuit, sharing accommodations with defenceman Shea Weber to prepare for his upcoming role. He made his WHL debut during the 2005–06 season and earned Rookie of the Year honors from his team. By 2007–08, Schenn had assumed alternate captain duties and was selected for the WHL squad competing in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. Additionally, he captained a side at the Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game, registering a goal. Frequently paired with Tyler Myers—a future Calder Trophy winner—Schenn secured a spot on that season’s WHL Second All-Star Team.

Prior to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Schenn was ranked fifth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and drew comparisons to prominent NHL defensemen like Dion Phaneuf and Adam Foote. E. J. McGuire, then head of Central Scouting, compared him to former first overall pick Ed Jovanovski. The Toronto Maple Leafs traded up with New York Islanders to select Schenn fifth overall.

Professional

In October 2008, Schenn inked an entry-level contract with Toronto featuring a base salary of $850,000 plus performance bonuses up to $1.25 million. He secured a roster spot for the 2008–09 season and made his NHL debut on October 9 against Detroit Red Wings. Schenn tallied his first NHL point on October 29 and netted his inaugural goal later that year. Despite missing twelve games due to injury, he appeared in seventy contests and earned placement on the NHL All-Rookie Team thanks to his defensive acumen and physical style, leading all rookies in blocked shots and hits.

At the outset of 2009–10, Schenn was regarded as one of Toronto’s top four defensemen but encountered some performance setbacks resulting in occasional healthy scratches. He rebounded late in that season to post personal bests with five goals and seventeen points over seventy-nine games. The following year began strongly alongside veteran Tomáš Kaberle; Schenn briefly served as alternate captain and concluded with career highs of seventeen assists and twenty-two points while playing all eighty-two games.

On June 23, 2012, Toronto traded Schenn to Philadelphia in exchange for James van Riemsdyk. Joining his younger brother Brayden on the Flyers roster, he adopted jersey number 22 since number 2 was retired by Philadelphia. During 2015–16, after accumulating five points across twenty-nine games, Schenn was dealt to Los Angeles Kings along with Vincent Lecavalier for a third-round draft pick and prospect Jordan Weal.

In July 2016, Schenn signed a two-year deal worth $2.5 million with Arizona Coyotes. Upon contract expiration in 2018, he agreed to a one-year $800,000 contract with Anaheim Ducks but was placed on waivers after eight scoreless appearances and assigned to their AHL affiliate San Diego Gulls. In January 2019, he was traded to Vancouver Canucks and assigned to their AHL affiliate Utica Comets.

As an unrestricted free agent in July 2019, Schenn signed a one-year contract valued at $700,000 with Tampa Bay Lightning. After periods as a healthy scratch and AHL assignments, he contributed to Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup triumph in 2020. He re-signed for another year in October 2020 and helped secure a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship in 2021.

Schenn returned to Vancouver on a two-year contract worth $1.7 million in July 2021. During the 2022–23 campaign, he established himself as the NHL’s all-time leader in hits by a defenseman. With Vancouver out of playoff contention during his final contract year, he was traded back to Toronto for a third-round pick in February 2023.

In July 2023, Schenn agreed to a three-year contract worth $8.25 million with Nashville Predators. Early into the 2024–25 season, he played his milestone 1,000th NHL game. In March 2025, within days he was traded twice: initially sent to Pittsburgh Penguins alongside Tommy Novak for Michael Bunting and a draft pick; then moved to Winnipeg Jets for second- and fourth-round picks in forthcoming drafts.

International competition

Schenn's international journey commenced with Team West at the 2006 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where the team finished in seventh place. At the under-18 level, he represented Canada twice: capturing gold at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and securing a fourth-place finish at the 2007 IIHF World U18 Championships, during which he netted three goals.

In 2007, Schenn was part of the undefeated Canadian junior squad throughout the eight-game 2007 Super Series against Russia, accumulating 24 penalty minutes. He earned a spot in Canada's selection camp for the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and subsequently secured a position as a key defensive partner alongside Thomas Hickey. Canada claimed the gold medal, with Schenn leading the team in plus-minus at +5; analyst Pierre McGuire dubbed him "the human eraser" for his standout international performance.

Following his rookie NHL season, Schenn was named to Canada's senior roster for the 2009 IIHF World Championship, where he appeared in nine games with limited ice time, contributing one assist. Canada finished with a silver medal after falling to Russia in the final match. Schenn also participated in the 2011 IIHF World Championship alongside Toronto teammates Dion Phaneuf and James Reimer; Canada ended fifth after a quarter-final defeat by Russia, with Schenn recording one assist across seven games.

After the 2012–13 NHL campaign, Schenn was once again selected for the 2013 IIHF World Championship alongside Flyers teammates Matt Read, Wayne Simmonds, and captain Claude Giroux. Canada was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Sweden, marking their second consecutive year without a medal.

Playing approach

Schenn is recognized as a defensive defenceman who employs a physical style aimed at thwarting scoring opportunities. Since his debut season, he has consistently ranked among NHL leaders in hits. His approach emphasizes aggressive yet responsible play to minimize penalties that would disadvantage his team. Schenn has modeled his style after defensemen Chris Pronger and Rob Blake.

Personal background

Born on November 2, 1989, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Schenn is the son of Jeff and Rita Schenn. His younger brother Brayden was selected fifth overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings and was later traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. Luke also has two younger sisters named Madison and Macy. He completed his education at St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon, an institution attended by several NHL players including Brayden.

During his rookie year with the Maple Leafs, Schenn contributed $10,000 to establish Luke's Troops, a charitable initiative that allows Canadian military personnel to attend home games as guests. His dedication to honoring Canada's armed forces was acknowledged during the team's annual Armed Forces night. Fans frequently showed appreciation for the soldiers present, reflecting Schenn's commitment to community involvement.

In 2023, Schenn took on the role of brand ambassador for Can-i Wellness oral spray supplements.

Regular season and playoffs

2024-25| Winnipeg Jets

Source of statistics

International

Year	Team	Competition	Outcome		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2006	Canada Western	U17	7th place		5	1	0	1	10
2006	Canada	IH18	Template:Gold1		4	0	0	0	10
2007	Canada	SS	Template:Gold1		8	0	0	0	20
2007	Canada	WJC18	Fourth place		6	3	0	3	4
2008	Canada	WJC	Template:Gold1		5	0	0	0	4
2009	Canada	WC	Template:Silver2		9	0	1	1	0
2011	Canada	WC	Fifth place		7	0	1	1	0
2012	Canada	WC	Fifth place		8	0	1	1	25
2013	Canada	WC	Fifth place		7	1	1	2	27
Junior career totals					28	4	0	4	48
Senior career totals					31	1	4	5	52

Source of statistics

Awards and honours

Award title	Year received
2005–06 WHL season |
2007–08 WHL season |
2008–09 NHL season |
2020 Stanley Cup Finals, 2021 Stanley Cup Finals |
2021–22 Vancouver Canucks season |