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Player Profile: Nathan MacKinnon

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Matt Barry | Last updated Dec 11, 2025 8:24 PM ET

Nathan MacKinnon was born on September 1, 1995, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. MacKinnon is a right-shot forward who played for Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U team and posted 54 goals and 47 assists in 101 games during the 2009-10 season. The next year, the winger joined the U16 club and tallied 45 goals and 48 assists in 40 games. At the World Hockey Championship, MacKinnon scored five goals with three assists in five games with the Canadian Atlantic U17 team.

MacKinnon was the number one overall draft pick in the 2011 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. On July 13, 2011, MacKinnon was traded to the Halifax Mooseheads, where he played two seasons and registered 63 goals and 90 assists in 102 regular-season games and was the assistant captain in his second year with the team. In 34 postseason games overall, MacKinnon scored 24 goals and dished 37 assists. During the 2012-13 season, MacKinnon had the most assists by a rookie. Halifax won the QMJHL and Memorial Cup championships.

The Colorado Avalanche Select Nathan MacKinnon Number One Overall in the 2013 NHL Draft

MacKinnon was the first pick in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. The 6-foot, 200-pound forward was a member of Team Canada at the World Championship as well. MacKinnon was also the leading scorer in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament.

Nathan MacKinnon’s NHL Debut to Today

Nathan MacKinnon made his NHL debut on October 2, 2013, against the Anaheim Ducks and immediately made an impact. MacKinnon had two assists in a 6-1 win while playing 15:30 of ice time. Ten days later, MacKinnon scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Michal Neuvirth and the Washington Capitals on the power play in a 5-1 victory. In his rookie season, MacKinnon scored 24 goals and added 39 assists in 82 games while winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

MacKinnon has been one of the league’s top players since he entered the NHL and has totaled at least 93 points in a season six times. He has played in seven All-Star games, won the Lady Byng Award after the 2019-20 season, and the Hart Trophy as league MVP after the 2023-24 season. MacKinnon won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022. MacKinnon is the second all-time scorer in Avalanche history and in the top 100 in NHL all-time scoring.

On September 20, 2022, MacKinnon signed an eight-year, $200 million contract with Colorado and will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2030-31 season.

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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