Chris Tanev, the undrafted defenceman who now patrols the blue line for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, has built a 14‑year NHL career on a willingness to put his body – and his teeth – in front of pucks. After being traded to the Maple Leafs in June 2024, he promptly set the franchise’s single‑season blocked‑shots record and, in a Hockey Night in Canada interview, candidly explained how his missing teeth are a direct consequence of his shot‑blocking style. This article traces his journey from an undersized junior player to a Toronto fan favourite, covering his contracts, his infamous tooth‑loss incident, and his evolving role as one of the NHL’s premier shutdown defenders.
Last checked: 2026-06-26
Current team: Toronto Maple Leafs · Age: 34 · Teeth lost: 6 · Shoots: Right
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-26.
Sources reviewed: official NHL.com player page, player agency profile (Newport Sports Management), RIT Athletics roster, Wikipedia, Puckpedia, Spotrac, Sportsnet, The Hockey Writers, The Hockey News, Yahoo Sports, YouTube interviews (Sportsnet/HNIC).
We did not conduct a direct interview with Chris Tanev, nor did we verify medical claims about his dental injuries. Salary figures are drawn from publicly available contract databases.
Chris Tanev at a glance
- Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL.com)
- 34 (born December 20, 1989) (Newport Sports Management)
- 6 (self‑reported in Sportsnet/HNIC interview)
Biographical and career facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Tanev |
| Birth date | December 20, 1989 (Newport Sports Management) |
| Birth place | East York, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) – Wikipedia |
| Weight | 197 lb (89 kg) – Wikipedia |
| Position | Defence (Right‑handed) |
| NHL teams | Vancouver Canucks (2010‑2020), Calgary Flames (2020‑2024), Dallas Stars (2024), Toronto Maple Leafs (2024‑present) |
| Draft status | Undrafted – signed as free agent May 31, 2010 |
| Current contract | Six‑year, $27 million with Toronto Maple Leafs (AAV $4.5M) signed July 1, 2024 (NHL.com) |
| Career blocked shots (as of 2024‑25) | 1,758 (The Hockey News) |
| Maple Leafs single‑season blocked‑shot record | 177 (surpassed Carl Gunnarsson’s 176) (Sportsnet) |
| Teeth lost playing hockey | 6 (per Hockey Night in Canada interview) |
What is happening with Chris Tanev?
What team does Chris Tanev play for?
Chris Tanev is a defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He joined the team on June 29, 2024, when the Dallas Stars traded him to Toronto in exchange for Max Ellis and a 2026 seventh‑round pick (NHL.com). Days later, on July 1, he signed a six‑year, $27 million contract to stay with the club. Tanev immediately slotted into the top‑four and became a fixture on the penalty kill.
What is his latest injury?
During the 2024‑25 season, Tanev took a puck to the face in a game against the New York Islanders but returned after receiving stitches (The Hockey News). He also dealt with an undisclosed lower‑body issue that led to a brief absence, but he has missed only 20 games over the five previous seasons combined (Sportsnet).
“He’s carved out a 14‑year NHL career for himself after going undrafted, is as steady a defender as you’ll find, and plays with the kind of heart that sees him sacrifice his face for the sake of keeping the puck out of his net.”
— Sportsnet editorial staff, April 2025
The bottom line: Tanev is healthy and logging heavy minutes for the Maple Leafs, having cemented himself as a fan favourite for his shot‑blocking durability.
How many teeth did Chris Tanev lose?
How did Chris Tanev lose his teeth?
The most‑cited incident occurred during Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs while Tanev was playing for the Dallas Stars. He took a puck directly to the mouth, which “pushed in” several teeth. In an interview with Hockey Night in Canada’s “After Hours”, Tanev confirmed he lost six teeth in total – a cumulative toll from years of shot‑blocking, not just one hit.
Did he miss any games due to the injury?
Despite the dental damage, Tanev did not miss a game. He returned to the ice for the next shift, a detail that underscores his reputation for playing through pain. No team medical report about the incident has been made public, but Tanev’s own account is the most detailed available.
What is Chris Tanev’s salary?
What is Chris Tanev’s current contract?
Tanev signed a six‑year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2024, worth $27 million in total, for an average annual value of $4.5 million (NHL.com). Before that, he played on a four‑year, $18 million contract he had signed with the Calgary Flames on October 9, 2020 (Wikipedia). His earlier five‑year extension with Vancouver (signed March 24, 2015) carried a $4.45 million AAV (Puckpedia).
How much does Chris Tanev make per year?
Under his current Maple Leafs contract, Tanev earns $4.5 million per season. The deal runs through the 2029‑30 campaign, at which point he will be 40 years old.
Insight: Tanev’s AAV has remained remarkably consistent — between $4.45M and $4.5M — across three different contracts over the past decade, reflecting the league’s stable valuation of a pure shutdown defenceman.
Are Chris and Brandon Tanev twins?
Who is Brandon Tanev?
Brandon Tanev is a forward for the Seattle Kraken (previously Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins). He and Chris are brothers, but they are not twins. Chris was born December 20, 1989, while Brandon was born December 31, 1991 — a two‑year age gap. Both were undrafted and both carved out NHL careers. Brandon is known for his speed and forechecking, while Chris is the defensive‑minded older brother.
Are they related?
Yes, they are biological brothers and have spoken publicly about their supportive relationship. The nickname “Tanev Brothers” has become a familiar phrase in NHL media, though they have never played on the same team.
Timeline: From undrafted junior to Maple Leafs icon
- December 20, 1989 — Born in East York, Ontario.
- 2006‑2009 — Plays three seasons in the OPJHL; grows nearly six inches in his final junior year (RIT Athletics).
- 2009‑2010 — Standout NCAA season at RIT, wins Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year.
- May 31, 2010 — Signs with Vancouver Canucks as an undrafted free agent (Wikipedia).
- November 13, 2010 — Scores first professional goal with AHL Manitoba Moose.
- March 24, 2015 — Signs five‑year extension with Canucks ($4.45M AAV).
- 2016‑2020 — Served as alternate captain for Vancouver (The Hockey Writers).
- October 9, 2020 — Signs four‑year, $18M deal with Calgary Flames.
- February 28, 2024 — Traded to Dallas Stars in a three‑team deal.
- June 29, 2024 — Traded to Toronto Maple Leafs.
- July 1, 2024 — Signs six‑year, $27M contract with Maple Leafs.
- 2025 — Sets Maple Leafs single‑season blocked‑shots record (177) (Sportsnet).
sportsnet.ca, sports.yahoo.com, facebook.com, guinnessworldrecords.com, youtube.com, reddit.com
The night he lost six teeth in front of 18,000 fans, he still blocked a shot—Chris Tanevs gruesome teeth injury details that brutal moment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chris Tanev
What is Chris Tanev’s height?
Chris Tanev is 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall (Wikipedia).
What is Chris Tanev’s weight?
He weighs 197 lb (89 kg) (Wikipedia).
What is Chris Tanev’s birthdate?
Chris Tanev was born on December 20, 1989 (Newport Sports Management).
Where was Chris Tanev born?
He was born in East York, Ontario, Canada.
What position does Chris Tanev play?
He plays defence, shoots right.
Is Chris Tanev undrafted?
Yes, he was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft and signed as a free agent in 2010 (Wikipedia).
What team does Chris Tanev currently play for?
He plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL.com).