🔥 Trending Jake Middleton: Calgary Flames' New Defenceman

Jacob "Jake" Middleton is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays as a defenceman for the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL) ¹³. He was born on January 2, 1996, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada ³⁴.

Middleton gained attention for his journey from being the very last pick (210th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings to becoming a significant player in the league ¹⁵. This distinction often earns him the nickname "Mr. Irrelevant" in a similar vein to the NFL's last draft pick ⁵.

Career Highlights and Recent Developments

• Draft and Early Career: After being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings, Middleton's career progressed through various stages, eventually leading him to the NHL ¹.
• Minnesota Wild Tenure: Before joining the Flames, Middleton played for the Minnesota Wild ⁵⁸. He established himself as a top-four defenceman during his time there ⁵.
• Trade to Calgary Flames: Most recently, on July 2, 2026, Jake Middleton was traded from the Minnesota Wild to the Calgary Flames. This trade involved the Flames acquiring Middleton, while the Wild received veteran winger Blake Coleman and another veteran player ⁸. This move has positioned him as a key part of the Flames' defensive lineup ²⁶.

His career trajectory from a late draft pick to an NHL defenceman for teams like the Wild and now the Flames highlights his development and impact in professional hockey ⁵⁸.