Who’s This Guy? Nathan MacKinnon

Kathy K

June 26, 2013

by Kathy K., Associate Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine

MONTREAL, QC–All Habs has brought back the Who’s This Guy? series for a quick look at the top prospects who will hear their names called this upcoming Sunday. The prospect of the day is Nathan MacKinnon.

Nathan MacKinnon

Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax Mooseheads.

Photo: All Habs Hockey Magazine

Position	C	Shoots	Right
Height	6’0″	Born	September 1st, 1995
Weight	182 lbs.	Birthplace	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Season	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2012-13	44	32	43	75	45

The Specs

MacKinnon had a busy year in 2012-13. He was already a cause of opponents’ headaches since he broke into the league but the same was true this season, even moreso. He was one of the key pieces that led the Halifax Mooseheads to this year’s President’s Cup championship, and eventually the Memorial Cup as well (where he was named MVP of the tournament). He also represented Canada internationally at both the Under-18 and Under-20 levels.

The Skinny

Most people have been trying to get the low-down on this kid since he was coming out of diapers. Coming from the same program as Sidney Crosby didn’t help the number of comparisons being made. A superstar talent with all the quickness, flashiness, skill and enthusiasm that complete the ideal draft pick package.

What you’ve probably heard by now

CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team
CHL Memorial Cup Champion
CHL Memorial Cup Most Points “Ed Chynoweth Award” (13)
CHL Memorial Cup Most Valuable Player “Stafford Smythe Trophy”
CHL Top Prospects Game Participant
Ivan Hlinka Gold Medal Winner
QMJHL Champion
QMJHL Second All-Star Team…
What? Oh. That was just this year.
The Avalanche are allegedly considering using their top pick for him instead of hometown boy Seth Jones.
The Baie-Comeau Drakkar did use their top pick for him, but it didn’t work out so well.

What you may not know

He plays basketball in his downtime.
He also took some time to do some acting this season.
No word about whether or not he’s managed to brush up on his dancing…
It is not necessarily a coincidence that he played for the Mooseheads.

From Mark Edwards, HockeyProspect.com:

“What else is there to say? He was our number one ranked player from February 2012 until our final ranking in this June. I like Seth [Jones] but I personally never had a tough decision who I would select 1^stoverall. Not only do I love his game on the ice, but I got to know Nathan a little bit this season, he is a quality kid. I think the thing that stands out the most for me, is how much he seems to just love the game combined with as much competitiveness as I have seen in a player. His explosive skating translates so well to the NHL. He proved he could be the best player in the biggest games.”

Mark Edwards is the Founder and Director of Scouting of Hockey Prospect, Independent Scouting Service. Once again this year, Hockey Prospect has made their NHL Draft Black Book available for purchase. It contains information on not only the prospects set to hear their names called this year, but those who are eligible all the way up to the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, as well as hundreds of game reports and insights on players in the OHL, WHL, QMJHL, USHL, Europe, Prep, EJHL, OJHL and the BCHL.

2013 NHL Draft Black Book	2013 NHL Draft Guide

All Habs readers can purchase either the 2013 NHL Draft Black Book or Hockey Prospect’s NHL Draft Guide 2013 at www.nhldraftguide.com and obtain a 15% discount. Just enter code ALLHABS at checkout!

2013 NHL Draft Black Book

2013 NHL Draft Guide