Nathan MacKinnon
Ht/Wt: 5’11″/180 lbs
Position: C
Team: Halifax (QMJHL)
Raised in Cole Harbor NS (the same town that gave birth to Sidney Crosby), it’s hard not to compare Nathan to the Penguins superstar. At 5’11” 180lbs, MacKinnon was second only to Buffalo Sabers prospect Mikhail Grigorenko in rookie scoring in the QMJHL last season. Using great hands and quick feet to set up plays, Nathan also has a nose for the net, tallying 31 goals in 58 regular season games and 13 in 17 playoff games. At only 16 years of age, MacKinnon has tremendous offensive upside, which he will more than likely display more of on an already loaded Halifax team, and will be a tremendous asset to whichever team drafts him in June.
Submitted by: Michael Prosser
I’m not sure what they are doing at Shattuck St. Mary’s, Nathan is another product of that prep school that produced Crosby and Parise. Mackinnon has been on the radar for a few seasons and has not disappointed since joining the junior ranks. A little stocky by nature, Mackinnon is the complete package and he is dynamic. He will can carry a team on his back with his explosive skating and he will be a high end center in the NHL in the near future. Already producing in junior and the international stage, he recently scored a hat trick as Canada beat Finland 4-0 to win the gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He led his Halifax Mooseheads in scoring and will show his true leadership this coming season that promises to be his last in the QMJHL. He will challenge for the 1st pick overall with Seth Jones and possibly Sean Monahan.
Submitted by: Robert Urner