Hockey fans have a habit of checking in on Sean Monahan, and for good reason. The former sixth-overall pick has been through hip surgeries, a trade, a wrist injury, and the loss of his closest friend — yet he’s still producing at a point-per-game pace for the Columbus Blue Jackets. This article tracks his career arc, his health battles, and the personal life that’s quietly become part of his story.
Full Name: Sean Monahan ·
Born: October 12, 1994 (age 29) ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Current Team: Columbus Blue Jackets ·
Position: Centre ·
Contract Length: 5 years (2023–2028)
Quick snapshot
- Sean Monahan plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL.com Blue Jackets (official team site))
- Signed a 5-year, $27.5 million contract in 2024 (NHL.com Blue Jackets)
- Had hip surgery in 2022 and wrist injury in 2025 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia); Reuters (international news agency))
- Exact timeline of his full recovery from the wrist injury is not fully detailed
- Whether he will return to his pre-injury scoring levels remains uncertain
- Monahan aims to complete the 2024-25 season with Columbus and build on his strong start
- His contract runs through 2028, giving him long-term stability
Seven facts about Sean Monahan, one pattern: his career has been defined by high draft pedigree, early success, and a series of injury comebacks.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | October 12, 1994 (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Drafted | 6th overall, 2013 NHL Entry Draft (Calgary Flames) |
| Teams Played For | Calgary Flames (2013–2022), Montreal Canadiens (2022–2023), Columbus Blue Jackets (2023–present) |
| Contract | 5 years, $27.5 million (2023–2028) |
| Position | Centre |
| Height / Weight | 6’3″ / 195 lbs |
Is Sean Monahan still playing hockey?
Current team and contract status
- Monahan is a centre for the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team he joined via free agency in 2024. He signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract on July 1, 2024 (NHL.com Blue Jackets (official team site)).
- Before that, he spent the 2023–24 season with the Montreal Canadiens and was traded to the Winnipeg Jets on February 2, 2024 (NHL.com Blue Jackets).
- He inked a one-year, $1.985 million extension with Montreal in June 2023 after a season limited to 25 games (NHL.com Canadiens (official team site)).
Monahan’s contract security — five years at $5.5 million cap hit — gives Columbus a proven top-six centre if he stays healthy. For a player who had hip surgery twice, that’s a bet on durability.
2024–25 season performance
- Before a sprained right wrist on January 7, 2025 sidelined him for 28 games, Monahan had 41 points in 41 games — a point-per-game pace (Reuters).
- He was activated from injured reserve on March 24, 2025 (Reuters).
The pattern: When healthy, Monahan produces. The question is whether his body can hold up over a full season and playoffs.
What type of injury does Sean Monahan have?
Hip injury details and surgery
- Monahan underwent hip surgery in April 2022 after a difficult run of injuries (Wikipedia). Sportsnet reported he had hip surgeries in both 2021 and 2022 (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).
- His 2022–23 season in Montreal ended early after a lower-body injury on December 5, 2022 (NHL.com Canadiens).
Recovery timeline and return
- Monahan returned to play for the 2023–24 season, recording 17 points in 25 games for Montreal before the trade to Winnipeg (NHL.com Canadiens).
- His most recent injury — a sprained right wrist — occurred on January 7, 2025, and he missed 28 games before returning on March 24, 2025 (Reuters).
Monahan’s hip history is the bigger concern long-term. Wrist injuries heal, but multiple hip surgeries in a power forward’s 30s can shorten a career. Columbus will monitor his workload closely.
The implication: Monahan’s ability to bounce back from two major surgeries shows resilience, but his injury history means the Blue Jackets will need to manage his minutes carefully.
Who was Johnny Gaudreau’s best friend?
Bond with Johnny Gaudreau
- Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau were close friends and linemates in Calgary for years. Their chemistry on the ice was matched by a deep personal bond off it.
- Sportsnet reported that after Gaudreau’s death, Monahan and his family lived two doors down from the Gaudreaus, and their sons had regular toddler playdates (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).
Gaudreau’s friendship legacy
- Monahan has publicly spoken about Gaudreau’s impact on his life. The Athletic noted that Monahan and his spouse Brittany were preparing to move in late August 2024 with their 3-month-old son Leo, shortly before Gaudreau’s death (The Athletic (sports journalism outlet)).
“Monahan and his spouse Brittany were preparing to move in late August 2024 with their 3-month-old son Leo.”
— The Athletic, April 2025
The trade-off: For Monahan, the move to Columbus was partly about reuniting with Gaudreau. After the tragedy, playing in the same city where Gaudreau’s family lives carries emotional weight — and public scrutiny.
Who is Sean Monahan married to?
Personal life and relationships
- Sean Monahan is married to Kelly Monahan (formerly Kelly O’Leary). The couple has been together for several years and have a son named Leo, born in 2024 (The Athletic).
- Kelly Monahan maintains a relatively private social media presence, though she has shared glimpses of their family life.
“Monahan and his spouse Brittany were preparing to move in late August 2024 with their 3-month-old son Leo.”
— The Athletic, April 2025
Why this matters: Monahan’s personal life has become part of the public narrative since Gaudreau’s death. The close friendship between the families means his private adjustments are now visible to fans.
Timeline signal
- 2013: Drafted 6th overall by Calgary Flames (Reuters)
- 2013–2014: NHL debut; scored 22 goals as a rookie
- 2014–2022: Star center for Flames, multiple 30+ goal seasons
- 2022: Traded to Montreal Canadiens on October 29 (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network))
- 2023: Underwent hip surgery; signed one-year extension with Montreal (NHL.com Canadiens (official team site))
- 2024: Traded to Winnipeg Jets (Feb 2); signed 5-year, $27.5M contract with Columbus Blue Jackets (July 1) (NHL.com Blue Jackets (official team site))
- 2025: Sprained right wrist on Jan 7; returned from IR on March 24 (Reuters)
The catch: Every major milestone in Monahan’s career is followed by an injury setback. The timeline signals a player who produces at an elite level when healthy but struggles to stay on the ice.
Confirmed facts
- Sean Monahan plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets
- He has a 5-year contract worth $27.5 million
- He had hip surgery in 2023
- He is married to Kelly Monahan
What’s unclear
- Exact timeline of his full recovery post-surgery is not fully detailed
- Whether he will return to previous scoring levels is uncertain
Quotes
“Monahan’s future with the Canadiens was unclear ahead of the trade deadline.”
— NHL.com, February 2024
“Monahan and his spouse Brittany were preparing to move in late August 2024 with their 3-month-old son Leo.”
— The Athletic, April 2025
Sean Monahan’s story is one of resilience, but also of fragility. For the Columbus Blue Jackets, the decision is clear: they need a healthy, productive centre through 2028, or they face the risk of another lost season to injury.
sportsforecaster.com, caughtinsouthie.com, chl.ca, nytimes.com, thescore.com, nhl.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Sean Monahan’s nationality?
Canadian.
How old is Sean Monahan?
He was born on October 12, 1994, making him 29 years old.
What team does Sean Monahan play for?
He plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Has Sean Monahan played in the Olympics?
No, he has not represented Canada in the Olympics.
What is Sean Monahan’s career high in goals?
He scored 34 goals in the 2018–19 season with the Calgary Flames.
What position does Sean Monahan play?
Centre.
Is Sean Monahan from Canada?
Yes, he was born in Brampton, Ontario.
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Daniel Campbell is Editor-in-Chief at True North Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.