2025-26 Team: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Date of Birth: September 2, 2006
Place of Birth: West Kelowna, British Columbia
Height: 6-feet, Weight: 174 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: LD
NHL Draft Eligibility: First Year Eligible
Rankings
- EliteProspects: 53rd
- McKeen’s Hockey: 51st
- Daily Faceoff: 76th
- NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters): 62nd
After sustaining multiple injuries that left him with just 80 total games played over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, Ethan MacKenzie was passed on entirely at the 2025 NHL Draft. After an excellent (and healthy) season, MacKenzie is definitely going to hear his name on draft day.
MacKenzie earned a lot of attention early on this season, and was even brought in to play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship despite being an undrafted 19-year-old. He gradually outgrew his spot on the depth chart and became a regular in the lineup with his hardworking game.
Despite having just seven career goals in the WHL before this season, MacKenzie exploded for 22 goals and 58 points in 59 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He is set to join the University of North Dakota next season, joining Calgary Flames prospect Cole Reschny and top 2026 Draft prospect Carson Carels.
MacKenzie is a two-way, jack-of-all-trades defender whose work ethic and skating make him effective in all three zones.
Ethan MacKenzie – NHL Draft Projection
MacKenzie has shown what he is capable of this season now that he finally had a healthy season, but it’s highly unlikely he’ll go as early as the first round. Re-entry players rarely get selected that early, though they do get selected regularly in the second and third rounds. I expect his steady game and strong skating will land him in the 50-60th overall range (late in the second round).
Quotables
“His maturity and hockey sense have really blossomed over time, and he can kill plays and log a lot of minutes if needed (as proven with the Oil Kings).” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
“He can break up plays with his stick, seems to see the ice well, moves and carries pucks effectively and has a good shot and a strong build. “ – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic (Ranking 2026 NHL Draft’s top 20 overagers: Egor Barabanov leads this year’s re-entry prospects, May 27, 2026).
Strengths
- Great skating
- Intelligent defender
- Great all around defenseman
Under Construction- Improvements to Make
- No one attribute jumps off the page when he plays
- Could be more physical considering his strong (though not massive) frame
NHL Potential
I think the most likely role for MacKenzie in the NHL would be as a two-way defender on a third pairing. His game is well-suited for responsibly handling his minutes while not breaking the game open on his own. While that may not be the most exciting projection in the leadup to the draft, I can’t imagine a single NHL team that would pass on a solid third pairing guy if all it cost them was a third round pick.
Risk- Reward Analysis
Risk- 2/5, Reward 3/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense- 6/10, Defense – 6/10
Awards/ Achievements
2025-26: WJC Bronze Medal