A Blast From The Past: Trevor Zegras

Trevor Zegras was born on March 20, 2001, in Bedford, New York. Growing up, Zegras was a kid who loved sports, but hockey would eventually become his main passion. His father introduced him to hockey when he was around three years old, and from there, Zegras would continue to develop his skills and fall in love with the game. Although he played several sports as a kid, he eventually narrowed his focus down to hockey and lacrosse. Zegras would attend Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut, where he continued to work on his game and prepare himself for the next level. His talent would eventually earn him a spot in the United States National Team Development Program, which is one of the top development programs for young American hockey players.

Zegras would really begin to turn heads during his time with the U.S. National Team Development Program. During the 2018-19 season, he recorded 26 goals and 61 assists for 87 points in 60 games with the under-18 team. Those numbers were incredible, especially considering he was playing against some of the best young hockey players in the country. Zegras was showing off his passing ability, creativity, and offensive instincts, which would eventually become some of the biggest parts of his game. He would finish his time with the program as one of its most productive players, recording 146 points in 116 career games between the under-17 and under-18 teams. It was becoming clear that Zegras had the potential to become a special player, and NHL teams were beginning to take notice.

Zegras would eventually have a big decision to make about where he would continue his hockey career. He would choose to attend Boston University, where he played for the Terriers during the 2019-20 season. In his freshman year, Zegras recorded 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 33 games. He would earn a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and receive third-team All-Star honors. Although his college career only lasted one season, Zegras was able to prove that he could compete against older and more experienced players. His offensive skill and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates were already making him stand out as a future NHL player.

Zegras would then enter the 2019 NHL Draft, where the Anaheim Ducks selected him ninth overall in the first round. Being a top-10 pick was a huge accomplishment, and it gave Zegras the opportunity to begin working toward his dream of playing in the NHL. He would continue developing his game after being drafted, spending part of the 2020-21 season with the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim's American Hockey League affiliate. In 17 games with San Diego, Zegras recorded 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points. He would eventually get his opportunity with the Ducks, making his NHL debut during the 2020-21 season. In 24 games, he recorded 3 goals and 10 assists for 13 points, giving fans a glimpse of the talent he would bring to the league.

Zegras would really begin to make a name for himself during the 2021-22 season. He finished the year with 23 goals and 38 assists for 61 points in 75 games. He would become a finalist for the Calder Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL's top rookie, and earn a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. One of the biggest reasons fans began to love Zegras was his creativity and ability to make plays that other players wouldn't even attempt. He became known for his flashy passing, incredible hands, and ability to make highlight-reel plays around the net. One of his most memorable moments came when he helped create a lacrosse-style goal with teammate Sonny Milano, a play that showed just how much skill and imagination Zegras brought to the ice. He was quickly becoming one of the most exciting young players in the NHL.

Zegras would follow up his impressive rookie season with another strong year in 2022-23. He recorded 23 goals and 42 assists for a career-high 65 points in 81 games. Despite the Ducks struggling as a team, Zegras continued to show that he could be a major offensive threat in the NHL. He led Anaheim in goals and points that season, becoming one of the central pieces of the team's future. However, the next few seasons would bring some challenges. Zegras dealt with injuries and missed significant time, playing only 31 games in 2023-24 and finishing with 6 goals and 9 assists. In 2024-25, he returned to the lineup for 57 games, recording 12 goals and 20 assists. Although he still showed flashes of his talent, it was becoming clear that a fresh start might be beneficial for both Zegras and the Ducks.

That fresh start would eventually come on June 23, 2025, when Zegras was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers sent forward Ryan Poehling, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to Anaheim in exchange for Zegras. For Philadelphia, this was an opportunity to add a young, talented player who had already proven that he could produce at a high level in the NHL. For Zegras, it was a chance to start over with a new organization and get his career moving in the right direction. After spending the first five seasons of his professional career with Anaheim, Zegras would now have the opportunity to become a major part of the Flyers' future.

Zegras would make a major impact during his first season in Philadelphia in 2025-26. He finished the regular season with 26 goals and 41 assists for 67 points in 81 games, setting new career highs in goals and total points. This was a huge step forward for Zegras after a few difficult seasons in Anaheim. He finished second on the Flyers in scoring and continued to show the offensive creativity that made him such a highly regarded prospect in the first place. The Flyers would also return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ending a five-year postseason drought. Zegras would carry his production into the playoffs, recording 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in 10 games. Although Philadelphia's season would eventually come to an end, Zegras had given the organization plenty of reasons to be excited about his future. <Cite refs=

Following that breakout season, the Flyers would make it clear that Zegras was an important part of their plans moving forward. In July 2026, he signed a four-year contract worth $36.5 million, giving him an average annual value of $9.125 million. At just 25 years old, Zegras still has plenty of hockey ahead of him, and Philadelphia is counting on him to continue being a major offensive contributor. He has already shown that he can produce at a high level, and the Flyers will be hoping that he can build on his career-best season and help the team become a consistent playoff contender. <Cite refs=

One thing you can't deny about Zegras is that he has always been one of the most entertaining players to watch. From growing up in New York and developing his game through the U.S. National Team Development Program to becoming a top-10 draft pick and an NHL star, Zegras has built his career around his creativity and offensive talent. He has experienced some incredible highs, along with injuries and difficult stretches that have tested him along the way. Now, with a new contract and a fresh opportunity in Philadelphia, Zegras has the chance to help the Flyers build something special. His 2025-26 season showed that he can still be an extremely productive player, and I think Flyers fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about what he can bring to the team in the years ahead.

Photo Credits: Philadelphia Inquirer