Curtis Lazar
A first-round draft pick turned dependable NHL journeyman, Lazar carved out a decade-long career through relentless energy and a team-first attitude.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: February 2·Millennials
Biography
Curtis Lazar's hockey journey began with the buzz of high expectations. Selected 17th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2013, the young forward from Salmon Arm, British Columbia, carried the weight of a first-round pedigree. His early years in Ottawa saw flashes of the tenacious, two-way game that defined him, but it was through perseverance and adaptability that he truly found his niche. Lazar became a hockey nomad, lending his services to Calgary, Buffalo, Boston, New Jersey, and Vancouver before landing with the Edmonton Oilers. Never a prolific scorer, his value was measured in relentless forechecking, penalty-killing grit, and an infectious, positive presence in the locker room. He evolved into the quintessential depth forward, a player coaches trusted to stabilize a bottom-six line and energize his teammates with sheer effort, ultimately lasting over 500 games in the world's toughest league.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Curtis was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Curtis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Curtis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected in the first round (17th overall) by the Ottawa Senators in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
- Played in over 500 regular-season NHL games across seven different franchises.
- Won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
- Captained Canada's national junior team to a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World U20 Championship.
Did You Know?
He famously ate a hamburger that was thrown onto the ice during his rookie season, a moment that became a fan-favorite story.
Lazar played his junior hockey for the Edmonton Oil Kings, the WHL team owned by the NHL's Oilers, where he later played professionally.
He is known for his meticulous pre-game routine, which includes taping his stick with white tape only.
“You have to bring your lunch pail to work every day and earn your keep.”
