Last Updated on November 10, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Declan Chisholm is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 12, 2000, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, he grew up in a supportive family that encouraged his passion for hockey from an early age.
Chisholm’s parents are Paul Chisholm and Erin Fagan. According to Hockey Canada’s official biography, he has three brothers named Kian, Cade, and Seth, along with a stepsister named Kayla. His grandfather, Paddy Fagan, also contributed to the family’s sporting background.
Although Chisholm’s parents and siblings have been documented in official hockey publications, he maintains considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
Declan Chisholm’s Girlfriend or Wife
Declan Chisholm has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner through reliable NHL interviews or official team publications.
The Canadian defenseman has generally focused his public interviews on his professional hockey career, childhood experiences, family support, and development as an athlete.
During his time with the Peterborough Petes, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, and Washington Capitals, most of the available interviews centered on his performances and efforts to establish himself in the NHL.
There are no sufficiently verified public reports identifying a current girlfriend, fiancée, or longtime romantic partner.
Consequently, his relationship status remains private, and it would be inaccurate to identify a partner based on unverified online speculation.
Is Declan Chisholm Married?
There is no credible public confirmation that Declan Chisholm is married.
He has not publicly announced a wedding, and official NHL and Hockey Canada biographies do not identify a wife.
Although he may choose to keep his personal relationships private, the available evidence does not establish that he has married.
Does Declan Chisholm Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Declan Chisholm has children.
Neither official NHL profiles nor established sports publications have reliably identified any sons or daughters.
His documented family relationships primarily involve his parents, brothers, stepsister, and grandfather.
Therefore, no children can be reliably attributed to him based on publicly available information.
Declan Chisholm’s Parents
Declan Chisholm was raised by his parents, Paul Chisholm and Erin Fagan, in Bowmanville, Ontario.
Both parents played important roles in supporting his hockey ambitions and helping him develop determination, discipline, and confidence.
In a feature published by the Peterborough Petes in 2016, Paul and Erin shared memories of their son’s childhood and explained how his dedication to hockey developed over time.
Father: Paul Chisholm
Declan Chisholm’s father is Paul Chisholm, who supported his son’s sporting ambitions throughout childhood.
Paul has spoken publicly about Declan’s determination and ability to overcome challenges.
In a 2016 interview with the Peterborough Petes, Paul recalled a frightening incident from Declan’s childhood that threatened his ability to continue playing hockey.
When Declan was young, he accidentally fell onto one of his brother’s hockey bags and subsequently developed a serious staphylococcal infection in his knee.
The infection became severe enough that the family feared he might lose his leg.
Doctors treated the condition, and Declan eventually recovered.
Despite the difficult experience, he remained determined to return to hockey.
Paul explained that his son was frustrated about missing time on the ice and wanted to resume playing as soon as he was physically able.
The incident demonstrated the persistence that would later become an important characteristic of Chisholm’s professional career.
Paul Chisholm’s Influence on His Son’s Career
Paul encouraged Declan to work hard and remain committed to his sporting goals.
According to the Peterborough Petes’ official media guides, Declan identified his father and an older brother as important role models.
Paul supported his son’s development through youth hockey in Ontario, including his progression to the Don Mills Flyers.
When Declan earned an opportunity to join the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League, his family celebrated the achievement.
In 2016, Paul expressed confidence in his son’s determination and willingness to improve.
His support contributed to the family environment that helped Declan progress through junior hockey and eventually reach the NHL.
Although Paul’s professional occupation has not been extensively documented in reliable public sources, his role in supporting his son’s hockey career is well established.
Mother: Erin Fagan
Declan Chisholm’s mother is Erin Fagan, who has been one of his most dedicated supporters since childhood.
Erin played an important role in teaching Declan responsibility and encouraging him to earn opportunities through hard work.
In a 2016 interview published by the Peterborough Petes, Erin recalled an experience from when Declan was approximately seven or eight years old.
After a youth hockey game, Declan became upset because his coach had not given him opportunities to play on the power play or penalty kill.
Erin explained that playing in important situations was something he needed to earn through his performance and commitment.
She encouraged him to work harder, improve his skills, and demonstrate that he deserved additional responsibilities.
According to Erin, Declan responded positively to the advice.
During the following season, he became captain of his team and continued developing as a promising hockey player.
The experience illustrated the importance of his mother’s guidance in shaping his competitive mindset.
How Erin Fagan Supported Declan’s Hockey Development
Erin continued encouraging her son as he progressed through increasingly competitive levels of hockey.
She supported his participation in youth hockey organizations and celebrated his achievements with the Peterborough Petes.
Her early advice about earning playing time became particularly relevant as Declan advanced toward professional hockey.
Throughout his development, he faced competition for roster positions and opportunities to play important minutes.
The determination he demonstrated as a child helped him overcome those challenges.
Erin’s professional background and other private details have not been extensively documented by major sports publications.
However, her influence on her son’s character and hockey career is clearly reflected in her public comments.
Declan Chisholm’s Siblings
Declan Chisholm has three brothers and one stepsister, according to Hockey Canada’s official 2019 National Junior Team summer development camp media guide.
His brothers are Kian, Cade, and Seth Chisholm, while his stepsister is named Kayla.
Earlier Peterborough Petes media guides identified only Kian and Cade, but Hockey Canada’s later biography provided a more complete account of his siblings.
Brother: Kian Chisholm
Kian Chisholm is one of Declan Chisholm’s three brothers.
He was identified in the Peterborough Petes’ official media guides during Declan’s junior hockey career.
Growing up in Bowmanville, the Chisholm brothers shared a family environment in which sports were encouraged.
In a 2016 interview, their father recalled how Declan once fell onto a brother’s hockey bag, suggesting that hockey equipment was a familiar part of the household.
The Petes’ media guide also identified an older brother among Declan’s role models, although it did not specify which brother.
Kian has maintained a private life, and reliable public sources provide limited information about his age, education, occupation, or potential involvement in competitive hockey.
Brother: Cade Chisholm
Cade Chisholm is another of Declan’s brothers.
Like Kian, Cade was named in the official Peterborough Petes media guides published during Declan’s Ontario Hockey League career.
The brothers grew up in a family that supported participation in sports and encouraged personal development.
Declan’s early hockey experiences included playing with local youth teams and spending time around hockey facilities in Ontario.
Although Cade’s relationship to Declan is officially documented, detailed information about his personal life and professional activities has not been widely published.
There is also insufficient reliable information to establish his exact age or whether he pursued hockey beyond childhood.
Brother: Seth Chisholm
Seth Chisholm is Declan Chisholm’s third publicly documented brother.
His name appears in Hockey Canada’s 2019 National Junior Team summer development camp media guide.
That publication identifies Kian, Cade, and Seth as Declan’s three brothers.
Seth has maintained a relatively private life, and official hockey publications provide little additional information about his education, career, or personal activities.
Although his family relationship is confirmed, there is no reliable basis for making assumptions about his profession or athletic achievements.
Stepsister: Kayla
Declan Chisholm also has a stepsister named Kayla.
Hockey Canada’s official 2019 media guide identifies Kayla as his stepsister, alongside his three brothers.
However, the publication does not provide her full name, age, occupation, or personal background.
She has not been extensively discussed in major interviews about Chisholm’s professional hockey career.
Therefore, her relationship to Declan is confirmed, while further personal details remain private.
Declan Chisholm’s Grandfather: Paddy Fagan
Declan Chisholm has Irish family connections through his grandfather, Paddy Fagan.
According to published biographical accounts, Paddy Fagan played hurling in Ireland before immigrating to Canada.
Hurling is a traditional Irish field sport that requires speed, coordination, and considerable athletic ability.
Although hurling and ice hockey are different sports, they share certain characteristics, including the use of sticks, rapid movement, and hand-eye coordination.
Declan’s grandfather reportedly maintained an appreciation for sports after relocating to Canada.
His influence is also reflected in the Peterborough Petes’ official media guides.
The team’s 2019–20 media guide identifies Declan’s grandfather as the biggest influence on his hockey career.
That recognition demonstrates the importance of his grandfather in his development as an athlete.
While the official media guide does not provide detailed information about his grandfather’s personal background, it confirms that Declan considered him an important source of inspiration.
Declan Chisholm’s Family Background and Childhood
Declan Chisholm was born on January 12, 2000, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.
He grew up in a family that encouraged athletic participation and supported his interest in ice hockey.
His parents, Paul and Erin, helped him overcome challenges while developing his skills.
One of the most serious challenges occurred during childhood when he developed a staphylococcal infection in his knee.
Despite the severity of the condition, Chisholm recovered and continued playing hockey.
He eventually progressed through local youth programs and played for the Clarington Toros.
According to Hockey Canada, he helped the Toros win an Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship and a provincial gold medal in 2011.
He later joined the Don Mills Flyers in the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
His performances attracted attention from Ontario Hockey League scouts.
In 2016, the Peterborough Petes selected Chisholm in the second round, 24th overall, of the OHL Priority Selection.
He subsequently signed with the organization and began playing major junior hockey.
Chisholm developed into a productive offensive defenseman, combining strong skating with an ability to move the puck and create scoring opportunities.
He earned the Petes’ award for their best defenseman during the 2017–18 season.
The Winnipeg Jets selected him in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
During the 2018–19 season, he recorded 48 points in 67 games for Peterborough.
He improved further during the 2019–20 season, recording 69 points in 59 games.
His performance earned him recognition as one of the Ontario Hockey League’s leading offensive defensemen.
Declan Chisholm’s Journey to the NHL
After completing his junior hockey career, Declan Chisholm signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets on June 1, 2020.
He began his professional career with the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League.
During the 2021–22 season, he received his first opportunity to play in the NHL.
Chisholm made his NHL debut on January 13, 2022, against the Detroit Red Wings, one day after his 22nd birthday.
Although he initially received limited NHL opportunities, he continued developing with Manitoba.
During the 2022–23 AHL season, he recorded 43 points in 59 games and was selected for the AHL All-Star Classic.
His career took another important step on January 29, 2024, when the Minnesota Wild claimed him off waivers from Winnipeg.
With Minnesota, Chisholm earned more consistent opportunities at the NHL level.
He scored his first NHL goal on February 17, 2024, against the Buffalo Sabres.
During the 2024–25 season, he appeared in 66 games for the Wild, recording two goals and 10 assists.
On June 28, 2025, Minnesota traded Chisholm to the Washington Capitals.
Two days later, he signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract with Washington.
On June 25, 2026, the New Jersey Devils acquired Chisholm from the Capitals in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
His professional journey reflects the determination and persistence his parents encouraged during childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Declan Chisholm’s Family
Who is Declan Chisholm’s girlfriend?
Declan Chisholm has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. His romantic relationships remain private.
Is Declan Chisholm married?
There is no credible public confirmation that Declan Chisholm is married or has a wife.
Does Declan Chisholm have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed through official NHL biographies or reliable sports reporting.
Who are Declan Chisholm’s parents?
His parents are Paul Chisholm and Erin Fagan, who raised him in Bowmanville, Ontario, and supported his hockey development throughout childhood.
Who is Declan Chisholm’s father?
His father is Paul Chisholm, who supported his son’s hockey career and spoke publicly about Declan’s determination to overcome a serious childhood knee infection.
Who is Declan Chisholm’s mother?
His mother is Erin Fagan, who encouraged him to work hard and earn opportunities through dedication and improved performance.
How many siblings does Declan Chisholm have?
According to Hockey Canada’s official 2019 biography, Declan Chisholm has three brothers, Kian, Cade, and Seth, and one stepsister named Kayla.
Who are Declan Chisholm’s brothers?
His three brothers are Kian Chisholm, Cade Chisholm, and Seth Chisholm. Their names are confirmed in official hockey media guides.
Does Declan Chisholm have a sister?
Yes. Declan Chisholm has a stepsister named Kayla, according to Hockey Canada’s official media guide.
Who is Declan Chisholm’s grandfather?
Published biographical accounts identify his grandfather as Paddy Fagan, an Irish hurling player who immigrated to Canada. Declan also identified his grandfather as his biggest hockey influence in the Peterborough Petes’ official media guide.
Does Declan Chisholm have Irish ancestry?
Yes. Biographical accounts trace his Irish ancestry through his grandfather, Paddy Fagan, who played hurling in Ireland before moving to Canada.
Where did Declan Chisholm grow up?
Declan Chisholm grew up in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, where he began playing organized hockey before progressing to the Don Mills Flyers and Peterborough Petes.
What NHL team does Declan Chisholm play for?
Declan Chisholm plays for the New Jersey Devils, who acquired him from the Washington Capitals on June 25, 2026.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
