Former Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Ethan MacKenzie, overlooked in two NHL drafts with 460 players selected ahead of him, is not feeling unwanted as he prepares for his third opportunity. At 19, MacKenzie played on Canada's U20 world championship team this past Christmas, finally stepping out of anonymity outside Rogers Place. He might get picked late in Round 2 on June 27.
NHL Comparable: Brett Kulak
If you're looking for an NHL comparable, think Brett Kulak. MacKenzie is not an offensive defenseman who will get 60 points, nor is he a long-limbed defender known for physical play. What he can do is skate and transport the puck like Kulak, and at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he can defend. He has a quiet, high-end competitive streak, hates losing, hates giving up goals, and hates losing his man. He may also carry a chip on his shoulder, which he did at the world junior tournament, making the roster as an undrafted junior.
MacKenzie's Perspective on the Draft
“I’m kind of looking at it differently now that I’ve been at the combine, which means there’s a pretty good possibility of going in the draft,” MacKenzie said of his first trip to the NHL showcase where teams test and interview the top 100 prospects. “My first year I had no chance. The second, I thought I had a decent chance but didn’t get my name called.” He added, “This time, doesn’t matter to me where I go as long as I go, where my mindset is making my way onto a team somehow. I won’t stop until I do.”
Expert Analysis from Craig Button
TSN draft expert Craig Button said, “I think the Kulak comparison with Ethan is apropos. Thirty-two teams are not wrong when a player isn’t drafted, but Ethan’s stayed on course. He’s steadily progressed and it’s like ‘Hey, I’m going to make you pay attention and I deserve it because I’m good.’” Button added, “He’s not a C prospect, he’s a B prospect, and with B prospects, can you move yourself forward?”
Combine Performance
MacKenzie was older than many of the kids at the combine, but it was his first crack at it, and he badly wanted to show NHL people he could ace the testing. He finished in the top five in the bench press, agility, and the Wingate VO2 test. He was in the top 10 in vertical jump, pushups, and grip strength. “I wanted to show how much work I had done off the ice as much as on it,” said MacKenzie. “I know it’s not the biggest thing if you don’t show well, but I had a goal to be in the top 10 as much as I could and try to break the record every time I went out for a jump or do pull-ups or sprint. I was super happy.” The VO2 test, which has caused many prospects to vomit, was particularly challenging. “You don’t feel your legs for a couple of hours after that,” he said.
Team Interviews
MacKenzie talked to about 10 teams, including the Edmonton Oilers. “Lots of shaking hands, some teams had NHL players there to talk. I had a meeting with Columbus and Rick Nash was there. Crazy to shake his hand and talk to him for 20 minutes,” he said.
