Jake Sanderson

Quick Facts

• Position: Defenseman
• Son of Geoff and Ellen Sanderson
• His father, Geoff, is a 17-year NHL veteran
• Has two siblings, Ben and Sawyer
• His cousins, Wade and Sheldon Brookbank, both played in the NHL
• Chosen fifth overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft
• First Montana-born player to play in the NHL

Biographical Information

Jake Sanderson started playing hockey around 2 years old on a lake in Whitefish, Montana. He quickly followed in his father’s footsteps as his dad, Geoff, had a 17-year NHL career. Sanderson played for the U.S. national under-17 team and he became the first U.S.-born player to be selected in the 2020 NHL Draft when the Ottawa Senators selected him with the No. 5 pick.

Sanderson attended the University of North Dakota for two seasons, and while in college, he represented the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championships, winning gold, and the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, where the U.S. finished fifth. 

After the Beijing Games, Sanderson started his NHL career and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team for the 2022-23 season. He was named to the United States roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off during the 2024-25 season as an injury replacement for defenseman Quinn Hughes.

A year later, Sanderson was selected to his second consecutive Olympic team for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Olympic Experience

• 2-time Olympian; 1-time Olympic medalist (1 gold)
• Olympic Games Milan 2026, gold (Team - Men)
• Olympic Games Beijing 2022, 5th (Team - Men)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2024 – 5th (Team - Men)
• Years of participation: Team - Men 2024
• Top finish: 5th – 2024 (Team - Men)