Nick Blankenburg
Definition
Nick Blankenburg (born May 12, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.
He was traded to the Avalanche from the Nashville Predators on March 4, 2026, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
Standing at 5'9", Blankenburg is known for his speed, tenacity, and unexpected rise from an undrafted college standout at the University of Michigan to NHL regular.
Examples
Despite standing just 5'9", Nick Blankenburg delivers hits that feel like they come from a 6'5" enforcer, keeping forwards on their toes.
Nick Blankenburg's speed on the power play turns penalty kills into highlight-reel nightmares for opponents.
After his trade to the Avalanche, fans quipped that Nick Blankenburg is the pint-sized powerhouse Colorado needed to avalanche their rivals.
From Michigan college hero to NHL journeyman, Nick Blankenburg proves you don't need a draft pick to make it big – just big heart.