Akira Schmid
| Akira Schmid | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Schmid with the New Jersey Devils in 2023 | |||
| Born |
12 May 2000 Bern, Switzerland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | ||
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Catches | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Florida Panthers SCL Tigers New Jersey Devils Vegas Golden Knights | ||
| National team |
.svg.png){kind=small} Switzerland | ||
| NHL draft |
136th overall, 2018 New Jersey Devils | ||
| Playing career | 2018–present | ||
Akira Schmid (born 12 May 2000) is a Swiss professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round, 136th overall, in the 2018 NHL entry draft, and has also played in the NHL for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Playing career
Schmid played most of his youth and junior ice hockey in the SCL Tigers system, appearing in just one game at the National League level, a relegation match in 2018.[1] He was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL entry draft at the end of the 2017–18 season, during which he was loaned multiple times from his junior team to professional teams within Switzerland. He moved to North America to start the 2018–19 season, playing three seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the Omaha Lancers and Sioux City Musketeers.
On 17 May 2021, Schmid signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils.[2] Schmid made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut on 11 December 2021, in a 4–2 loss to the New York Islanders.[3] By making his debut with the Devils, Schmid made history in becoming the first goaltender to debut in the NHL directly from the USHL.[4]
During the 2022–23 season, on 10 November 2022, Schmid collected his first career NHL win with the Devils in a 4–3 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators.[5] On 25 February 2023, Schmid recorded his first NHL shutout with the Devils in a 7–0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.[6] In first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Schmid started game three after starter Vítek Vaněček gave up nine goals in the first two games of the series.[7] He went on to get the win in that game,[7] and shutout the Rangers in games five and seven to secure the series victory for the Devils.[8][9]
On 29 June 2024, during the 2024 NHL entry draft, Schmid and Alexander Holtz were traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Paul Cotter and a third-round pick in 2025.[10] As a restricted free agent, Schmid did not receive a qualifying offer from Vegas, and thus became an unrestricted free agent two days later; however, he ultimately signed a two-year contract with Vegas on 3 July.[11] Since he was the third-string goaltender for Vegas behind Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov, Schmid was reassigned to the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights on 2 October.[12] Following an injury to Samsonov, Schmid was recalled to the NHL on 2 November;[13] he subsequently made his debut for Vegas on 11 November, entering a game against the Carolina Hurricanes in relief of Hill, and stopping all 12 shots faced.[14] After another recall in March 2025 following a second Samsonov injury,[15] Schmid made his first start for Vegas on 6 April, stopping 21 of 23 shots faced in a 3–2 overtime victory over the Calgary Flames.[16] Schmid later made his playoff debut for Vegas on 24 April, entering in relief of Hill again and stopping all nine shots faced in a 5–2 first-round game 3 loss to the Minnesota Wild.[17]
After entering the 2025–26 season as Hill's full-time backup,[18] Schmid took over as Vegas' starter in late October after Hill suffered a lower-body injury.[19] Schmid subsequently recorded his first shutout with Vegas on 4 November 2025, stopping all 24 shots faced in a 1–0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.[20]
On 29 June 2026, Schmid was traded by the Golden Knights to the Florida Panthers, in exchange for a 2028 third-round pick.[21] As a restricted free agent, Schmid was later signed to a two-year, $4 million contract extension with the Panthers on 24 July 2026.[22]
International play
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's ice hockey | ||
| Representing Switzerland | ||
| World Championships | ||
.svg.png){kind=icon} | 2024 Czech Republic | |
Schmid represented Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a silver medal.[23] In his first start of the event, a preliminary round match against Great Britain, he recorded a 15-save shutout.[24]
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Bold indicates led league.
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2016–17 | SCL Tigers | Elite Jr. A | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 121 | 8 | 0 | 3.97 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | SCL Tigers | Elite Jr. A | 32 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 1,867 | 81 | 2 | 2.60 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 238 | 12 | 0 | 3.02 | — | ||
| 2017–18 | EHC Thun | MSL | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 244 | 9 | 0 | 2.21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 57 | 7 | 0 | 7.43 | .741 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Corpus Christi IceRays | NAHL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 3 | 0 | 1.50 | .948 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Omaha Lancers | USHL | 37 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 2,012 | 73 | 2 | 2.18 | .926 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Omaha Lancers | USHL | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 359 | 18 | 0 | 3.01 | .891 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 405 | 23 | 1 | 3.41 | .888 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | 36 | 22 | 13 | 1 | 2,147 | 72 | 3 | 2.01 | .921 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 237 | 9 | 1 | 2.28 | .920 | ||
| 2021–22 | Utica Comets | AHL | 38 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 2,167 | 94 | 2 | 2.60 | .911 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 3.89 | .895 | ||
| 2021–22 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 236 | 19 | 0 | 4.83 | .833 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Utica Comets | AHL | 23 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 1,349 | 59 | 2 | 2.62 | .905 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 18 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 902 | 32 | 1 | 2.13 | .922 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 460 | 18 | 2 | 2.35 | .921 | ||
| 2023–24 | Utica Comets | AHL | 23 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 1,353 | 69 | 1 | 3.06 | .894 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 19 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 915 | 48 | 0 | 3.15 | .895 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024–25 | Henderson Silver Knights | AHL | 30 | 9 | 18 | 3 | 1,762 | 105 | 0 | 3.58 | .886 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024–25 | Vegas Golden Knights | NHL | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 238 | 5 | 0 | 1.26 | .944 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.000 | ||
| 2025–26 | Vegas Golden Knights | NHL | 34 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 1966 | 85 | 2 | 2.59 | .893 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 82 | 32 | 28 | 10 | 4,256 | 189 | 3 | 2.66 | .898 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 479 | 18 | 2 | 2.26 | .924 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Switzerland | U18 | 8th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 153 | 9 | 0 | 3.52 | .902 | |
| 2017 | Switzerland | IH18 | 7th | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 153 | 5 | 0 | 1.96 | .930 | |
| 2018 | Switzerland | U18 | 9th | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 120 | 13 | 0 | 6.50 | .865 | |
| 2019 | Switzerland | WJC | 4th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 170 | 12 | 0 | 4.23 | .878 | |
| 2024 | Switzerland | WC |  |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 139 | 2 | 1 | 0.86 | .946 | |
| 2026 | Switzerland | OG | 5th | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 60 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 | .872 | |
| Junior totals | 11 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 596 | 39 | 0 | 3.92 | .892 | ||||
| Senior totals | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 199 | 7 | 1 | 2.11 | .908 | ||||
Awards and honors
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| USHL | ||
| Third All-Star Team | 2019 | |
| First All-Star Team | 2021 | [25] |
| Goaltender of the Year | 2021 | [25] |
References
- ↑ Silverman, Cat (20 June 2018). "Behind the Save: Scouting the top 10 goalie prospects for the 2018 NHL draft". The Athletic. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ↑ "RELEASE: Devils Sign G Akira Schmid to 3-Year Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Parise, Greene lead Islanders to first win at new arena". ESPN. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "USHL goaltender makes league's first-ever jump directly to NHL". therinklive.com. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (10 November 2022). "Hischier scores in OT, Devils defeat Senators for eighth straight win". NHL.com. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
- ↑ "Mercer extends goal streak to 6 games, Devils roll Flyers". ESPN. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- 1 2 "Hamilton scores in OT, Devils beat Rangers 2-1 in Game 3". ESPN. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ↑ Canavan, Tom (27 April 2023). "Goaltender Schmid has Devils back in series with Rangers". AP News. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ↑ "Devils blank Rangers in Game 7, face Canes in second round". ESPN. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ↑ "Golden Knights acquire Alexander Holtz, Akira Schmid from Devils for Paul Cotter, pick". Sportsnet.ca. 29 June 2024.
- ↑ "Golden Knights Sign Akira Schmid To Two-Year Deal". The Hockey News. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ↑ "Golden Knights' Akira Schmid: Sent to minors". CBS Sports. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ "Golden Knights' Akira Schmid: Called up from minors". CBS Sports. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ↑ Delos Santos, Paul (12 November 2024). "Kochetkov makes 31 saves, Hurricanes hand Golden Knights 1st home loss of season". NHL.com. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ↑ "Golden Knights' Akira Schmid: Recalled by Vegas". CBS Sports. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ↑ Vickers, Aaron (6 April 2025). "Smith scores twice, lifts Golden Knights past Flames late in OT". NHL.com. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ↑ Pierce, Jessi (25 April 2025). "Kaprizov scores 2 goals again, Wild defeat Golden Knights in Game 3". NHL.com. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ↑ Boehlke, Ken (10 September 2025). "Akira Schmid In Line For Backup Job… For Now". SinBin.Vegas. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ Crowther, Hunter (22 October 2025). "Can Akira Schmid hold down the fort in Vegas?". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ Delos Santos, Paul (5 November 2025). "Schmid makes 24 saves, Golden Knights shut out Red Wings". NHL.com. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ "Schmid traded to Panthers by Golden Knights for 3rd-round pick in 2028 Draft". NHL.com. 29 June 2026. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
- ↑ "Panthers agree to terms with Goaltender Akira Schmid on a two-year contract". Florida Panthers. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
- ↑ "Silver it is - Czechia beats Switzerland in the World Championship final". swisshockeynews.ch. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ↑ Gaudio, Julian (15 May 2024). "Devils' Hischier And Palat Score Again; Schmid Records Shutout In First Start Of The World Championship". The Hockey News. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- 1 2 "USHL names Muskies' Schmid Goaltender of the Year". SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. siouxlandproud.com. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or ESPN.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
- Akira Schmid at Milano Cortina 2026
- Akira Schmid at Olympics.com
- Akira Schmid at Olympedia
- Akira Schmid at InterSportStats
- Akira Schmid on Instagram
- 2000 births
- Living people
- Swiss ice hockey goaltenders
- Henderson Silver Knights players
- Lethbridge Hurricanes players
- New Jersey Devils draft picks
- New Jersey Devils players
- Omaha Lancers players
- SCL Tigers players
- Sioux City Musketeers players
- Utica Comets players
- Vegas Golden Knights players
- Olympic ice hockey players for Switzerland
- Ice hockey players at the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey people from Bern