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Initially Drawn to Hockey for its Physicality, Will MacKinnon Now Enjoys its Pace

By Becky Olsen, 01/17/17, 10:15AM EST

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Defense has been the only position MacKinnon has known

It was all about the hitting when Will MacKinnon started his hockey journey. That might be part of the explanation of how he became a defenseman.

“I started hockey when I was three years old,” explained MacKinnon. “My dad just got me into it. He brought me to the rink and put me in skates. When I was younger, I loved the fighting and physicality of hockey. Up until I was six, I was just trying to hit people.

“Now, I love the pace and speed of the game. It’s fun to watch and I love the bonds with my teammates.”

The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder figured out early exactly where he wanted to play on the ice.

“I have been a defenseman as long I has have played hockey,” he stated. “My dad put me at D and I loved it. I think it was because I get to hit.”

Maybe Dan MacKinnon, who now serves as the senior director of player personnel for the New Jersey Devils, did know best, especially when it came to coaching.

“He coached me in Toledo with my AA team and was an assistant coach when I played for Victory Honda,” said Will MacKinnon. “It was easy to have him as my coach and I liked having him around. He knows a lot about the game and it was helpful.”

One area that MacKinnon appreciates is some of the lessons he learned from his dad. There is one important lesson that he has taken to heart.

“He taught me to be resilient. When things start to go awry, you need to bounce back and push through it,” explained MacKinnon on his dad’s words.

This is true when it came to his transition to the National Team Development Program, which has been a little different than some of his teammates. 

“I grew up in Toledo [Ohio] but I live with my dad in Plymouth,” he explained. “We moved to Michigan when I was going into eighth grade. I didn’t have to move which was good. The biggest difference was I am in a public high school for the first time. When I went to High Performance Hockey, I went to an online school for my first two years of high school.”

One thing MacKinnon has noticed since arriving in late August is the growth of his game on the ice. He has especially noticed progression in his skating.

“I have gotten faster and my skating is better,” he stated. “I work with Carrie [Keil, power skating coach] both on and off the ice to improve. We have done a lot of work on the stride boards.

“I like the small area games and the Tim Taylor drill. We definitely get lots of practice. I have learned that I really like to work hard and I love coming to the rink every day.”

All the work that MacKinnon has put in is starting to make a big difference in his game on the ice. He has noticed in more so when playing in the USHL. He has one goal and three points in 33 games this season.

“It’s tougher than playing in our own age group,” he explained. “The players are faster and you have less time to make decisions. The game is starting to 'slow' down. This gives me more ability to hold the puck a little longer and make better plays.”

All the hard worked paid off for MacKinnon and his Under-17 teammates when the squad posted a 1-0 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms on Jan. 7. It was the first shutout for the U17s and as he described it a full-team effort.

“Everyone bought in and we were doing the little things right,” explained MacKinnon on the win. “When we play the right way, we make things happen on the ice.”

The U17s will play four USHL games before heading to the Czech Republic for their final international tournament of the season the week of Feb. 8. The squad will face Sweden, Russia, Finland and the Czech Republic in the round robin event.

“We know we need to prepare well and play well,” said MacKinnon on what the team needs to do. “Once we get there, we can go in and do our job. It has worked well for us.”

MacKinnon and his teammates earned their first tournament title, capturing the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament title in Switzerland in December. It was a special moment for him.

“It was a great feeling to wear the USA jersey and get the win,” he recalled. “When we beat Russia [4-1], it was a great feeling. The toughest part was that we had to walk up hill after the game to get to our hotel.”

“It is surreal at times to represent your country. It’s special especially in international play. It’s the best feeling after the game when we get to stand at the blue line and hear the national anthem.”

It could be why one of his favorite memories also occurred in international play when MacKinnon represented Team USA at the Youth Olympics, helping the team capture the gold medal.

“It was my favorite moment of hockey to this day,” he stated. “At the end of the game, to watch the flag get raised and be with my teammates. We beat Russia in back-to-back games. We beat them in the last game of the round robin and then, we had a shutout in the semifinals.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Player's Favorites

Favorite NHL Team
Pittsburgh Penguins

Favorite U.S. Born Player
Ryan Suter

Favorite Movie
Warrior

Favorite TV Show
Game of Thrones

Favorite Actor
Will Ferrell

Favorite Actress
Mila Kunis

Favorite Music
Eminem

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Buffalo wings

Activity Away From the Rink
Jiu-jitsu

Goal Celebration
Skate to the bench, act like you've done it before

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