Timo Meier
Timo Meier (born October 8, 1996) is a Swiss professional ice hockey right winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1][2] Selected ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he debuted in the league during the 2016–17 season and established himself as a prolific goal scorer over his first seven years with the franchise.[1][3] In February 2023, Meier was traded to the Devils in a blockbuster deal, where he signed an eight-year, $70.4 million contract extension later that summer.[4][1] Born in Herisau, Switzerland, Meier honed his skills in European youth leagues before moving to North America for junior hockey.[1] He joined the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 2013, where he quickly emerged as a top offensive talent, recording 90 points (44 goals and 46 assists) in 61 games during the 2014–15 season to lead the team in scoring.[5] That year, he earned the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL's best prospect and was named to the league's Second All-Star Team.[1] Internationally, Meier has represented Switzerland at multiple IIHF World Championships, including a silver medal win at the 2018 tournament.[1] Meier's NHL career with the Sharks featured steady development into a power forward known for his shot and physical play.[6] Over 451 regular-season games, he amassed 316 points (154 goals and 162 assists), highlighted by his first five-goal game in franchise history on January 17, 2022, against the Los Angeles Kings and selection to the 2022 NHL All-Star Game.[1] His breakout 2022–23 season saw him reach a career-high 40 goals in 78 games before the trade.[6] Since joining the Devils, Meier has continued as a key top-six forward, contributing 52 points (28 goals and 24 assists) in 69 games during his first full season with the team in 2023–24, 53 points (26 goals and 27 assists) in 80 games in 2024–25, and 14 points (5 goals and 9 assists) in 18 games early in the 2025–26 season (as of November 2025), while maintaining a physical presence with over 100 hits in multiple campaigns.[6] As of the 2025–26 season, he remains a cornerstone of New Jersey's lineup at age 29.[1]Early career
Early life
Timo Meier was born on October 8, 1996, in Herisau, a small town of about 15,000 residents in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in eastern Switzerland.[1][7] He is the youngest of two children to parents Claudia and Charly Meier.[8] Growing up in Herisau, Meier developed an early passion for ice hockey, starting to play at the age of four with the local SC Herisau youth team.[7][9] His family's home was just a five-minute walk from the local rink, allowing him to spend nearly every free moment on the ice, often requiring his parents to drag him away at the end of the day.[7][10] The region's proximity to mountains and outdoor rinks further fueled his enthusiasm, where he played on natural ice surfaces even with snow present.[7] By age 12, Meier joined a higher-level team, competing against top young players from cities like Zurich and Bern.[7] At age 15 in 2011, after completing compulsory schooling, Meier accepted an apprenticeship position with the SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of Switzerland's National League A, combining junior hockey development with office work experience.[11][7] This move marked his transition from local play to a more professional environment in Swiss hockey.[11]Major junior
At age 16, Meier left his native Switzerland to pursue major junior hockey in North America, joining the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the 2013–14 season after being selected 12th overall in the 2013 CHL Import Draft.[12] As a rookie, he recorded 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points in 66 regular-season games, while accumulating 48 penalty minutes, demonstrating initial adaptation to the league's faster pace and physical demands.[13] In the playoffs, Meier contributed 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) over 12 games as Halifax advanced to the QMJHL finals but lost to the Val-d'Or Foreurs.[13] Meier's performance surged in his second season with Halifax during 2014–15, where he led the team with 44 goals and tallied 46 assists for 90 points in 61 games, earning the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL's top prospect.[1] He added 21 playoff points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 14 games, helping the Mooseheads reach the conference finals.[13] Scouts noted his growth in physicality and shot volume, though early concerns about his quickness persisted as he transitioned from European to North American styles emphasizing speed and board battles.[14] On January 6, 2016, Meier was traded to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies midway through the 2015–16 season, where he posted 23 goals and 28 assists for 51 points in 29 regular-season games.[13] Combining his efforts across both teams, he amassed 87 points (34 goals, 53 assists) in 52 games overall.[1] With Rouyn-Noranda, Meier excelled in the playoffs, recording 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 18 games en route to winning the QMJHL President's Cup championship.[13] He was subsequently selected ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, held prior to his final junior season.[1]NHL career
San Jose Sharks
Meier signed a three-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 8, 2015, following his selection as the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[1] After completing his final junior season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he turned professional in 2016–17, beginning with the Sharks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, where he recorded 23 points (14 goals and 9 assists) in 33 games.[1] His NHL debut was delayed due to mononucleosis, which sidelined him for approximately four weeks early in the season, but he made his first appearance on December 16, 2016, against the Montreal Canadiens, scoring his first NHL goal in a 4–2 win.[15][16] In his rookie 2016–17 season, Meier split time between the AHL and NHL, appearing in 34 games with the Sharks and scoring 3 goals and 3 assists while establishing himself as a physical, right-shooting winger capable of contributing on the forecheck and power play.[1] Over the next two seasons, he solidified his role on the roster, improving his production to 21 goals and 15 assists for 36 points in 2017–18 before achieving a breakout in 2018–19 with 30 goals and 36 assists for 66 points in 78 games, helping the Sharks secure a Pacific Division title.[1] That postseason, Meier played a pivotal role in San Jose's run to the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the St. Louis Blues; he tallied 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 20 playoff games overall, including two goals and an assist in Game 1 of the conference final, a 6–3 victory, though the Sharks ultimately fell in six games.[17][1] Meier's development peaked in 2021–22, when he set career highs with 35 goals and 76 points in 77 games, leading the Sharks in scoring and earning his first All-Star selection.[1] A highlight came on January 17, 2022, against the Los Angeles Kings, where he became the first player in franchise history to score five goals in a single game during a 6–2 win.[18] Despite the team's struggles, including missing the playoffs that year, Meier's consistent scoring and physicality—averaging over 200 hits per season—made him a cornerstone of the lineup.[1] Over seven seasons with the Sharks from 2016 to 2023, Meier amassed 316 points (154 goals and 162 assists) in 451 regular-season games, emerging as one of the team's most reliable offensive threats.[1] On February 26, 2023, amid a rebuilding phase for San Jose, Meier was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forwards Fabian Zetterlund and Andreas Johnsson, defensemen Nikita Okhotiuk and Shakir Mukhamadullin, New Jersey's first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, with the Sharks retaining 50 percent of his salary.[19] The Devils also received forwards Timur Ibragimov, defensemen Scott Harrington and Santeri Hatakka, goaltender Zachary Emond, and a fifth-round pick in 2024.New Jersey Devils
On February 26, 2023, the New Jersey Devils acquired Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks in a blockbuster trade that sent forwards Fabian Zetterlund and Andreas Johnsson, defensemen Nikita Okhotiuk and Shakir Mukhamadullin, a first-round pick in 2023, a conditional first-round pick in 2024, and a third-round pick in 2025 to San Jose, with the Devils also receiving prospects Timur Ibragimov, Scott Harrington, Santeri Hatakka, goaltender Zachary Emond, and a 2024 fifth-round pick, and the Sharks retaining 50% of Meier's salary.[19] Meier made his Devils debut on March 5, 2023, against the Arizona Coyotes, where he scored a goal in a 5-4 overtime victory, contributing immediately to New Jersey's offensive push late in the season.[20] In his partial 2022–23 season with the Devils, Meier recorded 9 goals and 5 assists in 21 regular-season games, helping the team secure a franchise-record 52 wins and the third seed in the Eastern Conference.[21] His arrival bolstered the Devils' top-six forward group, adding physicality and scoring depth alongside centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Following the season, Meier signed an eight-year contract extension with the Devils on June 28, 2023, worth $70.4 million with an average annual value of $8.8 million, signaling the team's long-term commitment to him as a core piece.[22] In the 2023 playoffs, Meier integrated seamlessly into the lineup, posting 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points in 11 games as the Devils defeated the New York Rangers in the first round before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.[1] His playoff performance, including a goal in Game 3 of the second-round series, highlighted his ability to elevate the team's forecheck and net-front presence during high-stakes matchups.[23] During the 2023–24 season, Meier established himself as a mainstay in the Devils' top-six, often playing on the first power-play unit and logging significant even-strength minutes, though injuries limited him to 69 games where he tallied 28 goals and 24 assists for 52 points.[24] A double MCL sprain sustained earlier in the year forced him to play through discomfort, but he underwent elective shoulder surgery in April 2024, recovering fully for the subsequent training camp.[25] Meier's physical style and chemistry with Hughes—evident in shared shifts that generated 15 goals together—enhanced the Devils' transition game, though the team missed the playoffs amid goaltending inconsistencies.[26] In 2024–25, Meier recorded 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points in 80 games. Entering the 2025–26 season, Meier continued in a top-six role with power-play responsibilities, adapting to coach Sheldon Keefe's system by focusing on defensive reliability alongside his scoring touch. As of November 17, 2025, he has recorded 5 goals and 9 assists in 17 games, ranking among the team's leaders in shots on goal (50) and hits (30) while maintaining a plus-2 rating.[27] His presence has fostered improved team cohesion, particularly in five-on-five situations, where the Devils' forward lines have shown greater balance and forechecking intensity compared to prior seasons.[28]International career
Junior level
Timo Meier began his international junior career with Switzerland at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championship, where he made his debut as a 17-year-old, appearing in two games without recording a point. Switzerland concluded the tournament in seventh place among the ten top-division teams.[9][13] Meier transitioned to the under-20 level for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, contributing significantly with two goals and four assists for six points in six games, helping anchor Switzerland's offense during a challenging tournament where the team finished eighth and avoided relegation. The following year, at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, Meier served as captain for Switzerland, tallying two goals and three assists for five points in six games despite the team's ninth-place finish and subsequent relegation to Division I.[29][9][30] These tournaments provided Meier with valuable international exposure, enhancing his development as a physical, two-way winger while he simultaneously honed his skills in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Halifax Mooseheads.[9]Senior level
Meier made his debut with the Swiss senior national team at the 2018 IIHF World Championship in Denmark, where he contributed seven points (two goals and five assists) over seven games as Switzerland advanced to the final and secured a silver medal after losing 3–2 in a shootout to Sweden following a 2–2 tie after overtime.[31][9] This appearance marked his transition from junior international play to a more prominent role on the senior squad, leveraging his physical presence and scoring ability in high-stakes matches. Following his debut, Meier continued to represent Switzerland at subsequent World Championships, establishing himself as a reliable top-line forward. In the 2021 tournament in Belarus and Latvia, he recorded six points (four goals and two assists) in eight games, helping the team finish sixth overall despite a challenging preliminary round.[32][9] The 2022 edition in Finland saw him tally eight points (three goals and five assists) across eight contests, contributing to Switzerland's fifth-place finish and underscoring his growing importance in driving offensive pressure against elite competition.[33][9] Meier did not participate in the 2019 or 2024 World Championships due to club commitments and injury, respectively, but returned strongly for the 2025 tournament in Sweden, where he posted a team-leading 10 points (three goals and seven assists) in 10 games en route to another silver medal, this time falling 1-0 in overtime to the United States in the final.[9] His performance highlighted his evolution into a key contributor, often centering crucial power-play units and providing physicality that complemented Switzerland's defensive style. To date, Meier has not competed for Switzerland at the Olympic Games, with the team failing to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing; the World Championships remain his primary senior international stage. Over his senior appearances, Meier's role has progressed from a promising prospect providing secondary scoring to a cornerstone player relied upon for leadership and consistent production in medal-contending efforts.[1]Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Meier made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks during the 2016–17 season and played there until February 2023, when he was traded to the New Jersey Devils.[1] He has since remained with the Devils, signing an eight-year contract extension in June 2023.[22]Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | San Jose Sharks | 34 | 3 | 3 | 6 | +1 | 10 |
| 2017–18 | San Jose Sharks | 81 | 21 | 15 | 36 | +2 | 51 |
| 2018–19 | San Jose Sharks | 78 | 30 | 36 | 66 | +9 | 55 |
| 2019–20 | San Jose Sharks | 70 | 22 | 27 | 49 | −22 | 42 |
| 2020–21 | San Jose Sharks | 54 | 12 | 19 | 31 | −5 | 22 |
| 2021–22 | San Jose Sharks | 77 | 35 | 41 | 76 | −3 | 54 |
| 2022–23* | San Jose Sharks | 57 | 31 | 21 | 52 | −19 | 25 |
| 2022–23* | New Jersey Devils | 21 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 18 |
| 2023–24 | New Jersey Devils | 69 | 28 | 24 | 52 | −28 | 45 |
| 2024–25 | New Jersey Devils | 80 | 26 | 27 | 53 | +7 | 58 |
| 2025–26 | New Jersey Devils | 18 | 5 | 9 | 14 | +2 | 10 |
| Career | 639 | 222 | 227 | 449 | −56 | 390 |
Playoff Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | San Jose Sharks | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017–18 | San Jose Sharks | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −1 | 10 |
| 2018–19 | San Jose Sharks | 20 | 5 | 10 | 15 | +3 | 34 |
| 2022–23 | New Jersey Devils | 11 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −1 | 22 |
| 2024–25 | New Jersey Devils | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −1 | 6 |
| Career | 51 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 0 | 74 |
International
Meier has represented Switzerland in junior and senior international tournaments under the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), accumulating statistics across U18 World Championships, U20 World Junior Championships, and World Championships.[13]U18 World Championships
| Year | Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | IIHF U18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
U20 World Junior Championships
| Year | Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | IIHF U20 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2016 | IIHF U20 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Senior World Championships
| Year | Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | IIHF WC | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 2021 | IIHF WC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 2022 | IIHF WC | 8 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 2025 | IIHF WC | 10 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Awards and honors
Junior
- 2012–13: Bronze medal, European Youth Olympic Festival[34]
- 2014–15: CHL Top Prospects Game[1]
- 2014–15: Mike Bossy Trophy, QMJHL Best Professional Prospect[1]
- 2014–15: Second All-Star Team, QMJHL[1]
Professional
- 2019–20: San Jose Sharks Player of the Year[35]
- 2021–22: San Jose Sharks Player of the Year[36]
- 2021–22: NHL All-Star Game[1]