Jake Middleton, whose full name is Jacob Middleton, is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League.
Born on January 2, 1996, in Wainwright, Alberta, and raised in Stratford, Ontario, he stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 219 pounds.
He shoots left and has developed a reputation as a steady, physical, shutdown defenseman known for his size, defensive reliability, puck-moving ability in his own zone, and willingness to engage physically.
Drafted 210th overall in the seventh round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Middleton has built a solid NHL career through hard work and consistency after beginning his professional journey in the San Jose Sharks organization.
Siblings
Jake comes from a close-knit hockey family with one younger brother, Keaton Middleton, who is also a professional defenseman.
Keaton, who stands around 6 feet 6 inches tall, has played in the American Hockey League and has been part of the Colorado Avalanche organization.
The brothers have shared the ice professionally, including time together on the San Jose Barracuda blueline, and have faced off against each other in NHL games, such as when Keaton was with the Avalanche system.
Jake also has one sister, though she is not prominently involved in professional hockey like her brothers.
Career
Middleton began his junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League with teams including the Ottawa 67’s.
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After being drafted by the Kings, he signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2017 and spent significant time developing in the American Hockey League with the San Jose Barracuda, where he even played alongside his brother Keaton.
He made his NHL debut with the Sharks in 2019 and gradually earned more regular ice time as a reliable depth defenseman on a rebuilding team.
In March 2022, Middleton was traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen and a draft pick.
Since joining the Wild, he has become a trusted part of their defensive core, often paired in shutdown roles and logging heavy minutes against top opposition.
Standing tall at 6’3” and over 200 pounds, he brings physicality, strong gap control, and leadership qualities to the blue line.
Over his NHL career, which now exceeds 350 games, Middleton has posted modest but steady offensive numbers while prioritizing defensive responsibilities.
He has appeared in the Stanley Cup playoffs with both San Jose and Minnesota, contributing stability to the back end during important postseason runs.
Accolades
While Middleton was selected as a late-round draft pick in 2014, his journey to becoming an established NHL defenseman stands as a testament to his perseverance rather than early accolades.
In junior hockey, he earned recognition on the OHL Second All-Rookie Team during the 2012-13 season.
In the NHL, he has not captured major individual awards but has earned consistent praise for his reliability and physical play.
His career highlights include securing a regular roster spot with the Minnesota Wild, playing key minutes in the postseason, and developing into a dependable veteran defenseman.
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