Cale Makar makes history, is ninth NHL defenseman with 30 goals in a season

Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar made history on Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He became just the ninth defenseman in NHL history to tally 30 goals in a season. Makar ripped home a one-timer on a power play, off a beautiful pass from Nathan MacKinnon, to extend Colorado’s lead to 5-3 late in the second period.

Makar is the first defenseman to hit the mark since Mike Green all the way back in the 2008-2009 season.

Cale Makar makes HISTORY with his 30th of the year 🫡 pic.twitter.com/cEXdmx0oHo

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 4, 2025

And the list of defenseman to score 30 goals in a season is impressive, full of household names that even casual hockey fans will know.

Legends like Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey top it, with other notables like former Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque doing it with the Boston Bruins during the 1983-84 campaign.

First defenseman since Mike Green in 2008-09 with Capitals to score 30 goals in a season. Cale is 9th different blueliner (18th instance) to top 30-goal mark, joining Bobby Orr (5x), Paul Coffey (4x), Denis Potvin (3x), Ray Bourque, Kevin Hatcher, Phil Housley, Doug Wilson, Green

— Brendan McNicholas (@bmcnich) April 4, 2025

It’s just another amazing accomplishment for Cale Makar in a career that already includes a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Norris Trophy and a Calder Trophy. Makar looks to be in good shape to add a second Norris to his trophy case this season, given the history he’s made with five full games still to go.

And at just 26-years-old, it feels like Makar is only getting started. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he does this again at some point in his career, while continuing to stack individual awards.

The always humble Cale Makar won’t care much about it, as he’s got championships on his mind, but this is a remarkable feat that will get a lot of attention in the hockey world in the coming days.