Nathan MacKinnon

Nathan MacKinnon: Hart Trophy winner, Stanley Cup champion, and one of the best of his generation.

Nathan Raymond MacKinnon (born September 1, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a centre and alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). MacKinnon was selected first overall by the Avalanche in the 2013 NHL entry draft.

Quick Facts

Born: 1 September 1995
Birthplace: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Position: Centre
Shoots: Right
League: NHL
Team: Colorado Avalanche
Draft: 1st overall

Lore & Background

MacKinnon won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022. Individually, MacKinnon has been awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2014 as the top rookie, the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2020 for sportsmanship and performance, the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2024 as the most valuable player, the Ted Lindsay Award in 2024 as the most outstanding player and the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy winner as the NHL's leading goal-scorer in 2026. He was also a finalist for the Hart Trophy in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2026 and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2018, 2020 and 2025. These achievements have made him widely regarded as one of the best ice hockey players of his generation.

Reader's Guide

MacKinnon was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and grew up playing in the minor ice hockey system of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. As an atom aged player (under 11), MacKinnon recorded 200 points in 50 games. When MacKinnon was 12 and 13, he played Bantam AAA for the Cole Harbour Red Wings, recording seasons of 110 and 145 points, respectively. After these two seasons, MacKinnon enrolled at Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota.

In his first season at Shattuck-Saint Mary's playing with the Bantam Tier I program, he scored 101 points in 58 games. For the 2010–11 season, MacKinnon joined the under-16 Midget program at the school. During the season, MacKinnon was named to the team that represented Nova Scotia in the ice hockey tournament at the 2011 Canada Winter Games. MacKinnon scored eight goals and eleven points to finish fourth in tournament scoring as Nova Scotia finished in seventh place.

MacKinnon finished his second season at Shattuck-Saint Mary's with 93 points in 40 games played. Heading into the 2011 QMJHL Draft, MacKinnon was widely regarded as the favourite to be selected first overall. On June 4, 2011, MacKinnon was selected first overall by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. On July 13, 2011, MacKinnon's rights were traded to the Halifax Mooseheads.

MacKinnon scored his first QMJHL hat-trick on December 3, 2011, scoring five goals in a 6–4 victory over the Quebec Remparts. On May 26, 2013, MacKinnon led the Mooseheads to their first Memorial Cup championship and was named Most Valuable Player. On June 30, 2013, the Avalanche used their first overall pick to select MacKinnon. MacKinnon made his NHL debut on October 2, 2013, registering two assists.

He scored his first NHL goal on October 12. MacKinnon won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2014. He recorded his first career NHL hat trick on February 22, 2015. On July 8, 2016, MacKinnon re-signed with the Avalanche to a seven-year, $44.1 million contract.

On October 13, 2016, MacKinnon was announced as an alternate captain for the Avalanche. He was named to his first NHL All-Star Game on January 10, 2017.