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Connor Mackey
Connor Mackey
from Wikipedia

Connor Mackey (born September 12, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Mackey became highly coveted as an undrafted free agent after playing three years of college ice hockey for Minnesota State University, ultimately signing with the Calgary Flames in March 2020. He is the son of former NHL player David Mackey, who played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota North Stars, and St. Louis Blues.[1]

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Amateur

[edit]

After playing two years of hockey at Barrington High School near his hometown of Tower Lakes, Illinois between 2012 and 2014, serving as team captain in his final year, Mackey spent the 2014–15 hockey season as a member of the triple-A level U18 Team Illinois in the High-Performance Hockey League (HPHL).[2]

Mackey began playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2015–16. He was named an alternate captain in 2016–17 and emerged as an offensive engine on a Gamblers squad that also featured future NHL first-round pick Casey Mittelstadt. Mackey led the team with 47 points in 60 games[3] and was named USHL Defenseman of the Year and to the USHL First All-Star Team.[4] He was recruited to join the Minnesota State Mavericks men's ice hockey team to begin the 2017–18 season.[5]

Prior to the start of his college career, Mackey was invited to and attended the Calgary Flames' 2017 summer prospect development camp as an undrafted free agent.[6] Beginning that fall, Mackey enjoyed a successful debut season with the Mavericks which saw him earn a spot on the 2017–18 Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Rookie Team. In the summer of 2018, Mackey again attended an NHL prospect convention: this time, he was invited to the Buffalo Sabres' annual development camp.[7] He followed it up with a 2018–19 season during which he was named a WCHA All-Academic and to the All-WCHA Third All-Star Team.[4]

In 2019–20, Mackey, unaffiliated with any professional club after going undrafted, emerged as a top prospect and attracted interest from 28 of the NHL's 31 teams. He led Mavericks defensemen with 24 points in 36 games en route to being named to the All-WCHA First All-Star Team and the American Hockey Coaches Association's All-America West Second Team.[4] Mackey's performance in 2019–20 led TSN's Frank Seravalli to name him the top-ranked college free-agent on the market.[8]

Professional

[edit]

On March 20, 2020, Mackey signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames to take effect at the start of the 2020–21 NHL season.[9] Despite his contract not taking effect until the following season, Mackey joined the Flames for practices in the Edmonton bubble as part of the return-to-play program in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.[10] Mackey made his NHL debut on February 13, 2021.[11]

During the 2022–23 season, Mackey remained on the Flames roster, primarily serving as a depth defenseman and healthy scratch. After 10 appearances with the Flames, Mackey was dealt at the NHL trade deadline along with Brett Ritchie to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Nick Ritchie and Troy Stecher on March 3, 2023.[12]

Following his brief tenure with the Coyotes, Mackey was signed as a free agent in the off-season to a one-year, two-way contract by the New York Rangers on July 1, 2023.[13] On March 1, 2024, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Rangers.[14]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 29 1 1 2 62 2 0 0 0 2
2016–17 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 60 6 41 47 93
2017–18 Minnesota State WCHA 40 4 8 12 40
2018–19 Minnesota State WCHA 42 7 18 25 55
2019–20 Minnesota State WCHA 36 7 17 24 29
2020–21 Calgary Flames NHL 6 1 2 3 20
2020–21 Stockton Heat AHL 27 3 13 16 33
2021–22 Stockton Heat AHL 53 5 31 36 83 7 1 3 4 4
2021–22 Calgary Flames NHL 3 0 1 1 2
2022–23 Calgary Flames NHL 10 2 1 3 9
2022–23 Arizona Coyotes NHL 20 1 3 4 39
2023–24 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 44 2 9 11 12
2023–24 New York Rangers NHL 1 0 0 0 5
2024–25 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 66 6 18 24 102
2024–25 New York Rangers NHL 2 0 0 0 5
NHL totals 42 4 7 11 80
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Latvia

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 United States WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 0 1 1 2
2023 United States WC 4th 10 1 2 3 8
Senior totals 17 1 3 4 10

Awards and honors

[edit]
Award Year Ref
USHL
Defenseman of the Year 2017 [4]
First All-Star Team 2017 [4]
College
WCHA All-Rookie Team 2018 [4]
WCHA Third All-Star Team 2019 [4]
WCHA First All-Star Team 2020 [4]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Connor Mackey (born September 12, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the (AHL) as a prospect for the of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Tower Lakes, , Mackey stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds, shooting left-handed. He began his hockey career in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the , where he was named the USHL Defenseman of the Year and a First Team All-Star in the 2016–17 season. Mackey then attended Minnesota State University, playing for the Mavericks from 2017 to 2020, during which he earned WCHA First All-Star Team honors in 2020 and was selected to the NCAA (West) Second All-American Team that same year. Undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft, Mackey signed his first professional contract with the Calgary Flames organization on March 20, 2020, and made his NHL debut with Calgary during the 2020–21 season, appearing in six games. He re-signed with the Flames on September 8, 2021, to a two-year entry-level contract and continued developing in the AHL with the Stockton Heat, earning an AHL All-Star Game selection in the 2020–21 season. On March 3, 2023, Mackey was traded to the Arizona Coyotes along with Brett Ritchie in exchange for Troy Stecher and Nick Ritchie, where he played 20 NHL games that season, recording 1 goal and 3 assists. Overall, Mackey has appeared in 42 NHL games across his time with the Flames, Coyotes, and Rangers, accumulating 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points. As a following the 2022–23 season, Mackey signed a one-year contract with the on July 1, 2023, and was extended on March 1, 2024, to a two-year deal worth $1,550,000 with an average annual value of $775,000, running through the 2025–26 season. In the 2024–25 AHL season with the Wolf Pack, he recorded 24 points (6 goals, 18 assists) in 66 games while appearing in two NHL games for New York. As of November 2025, Mackey serves as an alternate captain for the Wolf Pack and was assigned to the team on November 8, 2025, after with the Rangers. Internationally, Mackey has represented the at the IIHF World Championships in 2021 and 2023, helping secure a in 2021.

Early life

Family background

Connor Mackey was born on September 12, 1996, in Tower Lakes, , a northwest of . He is the son of David Mackey, a former forward who appeared in 126 National Hockey League games across six seasons with the , , and between 1982 and 1992. David, originally from , , was known for his physical style of play as an enforcer, accumulating 305 penalty minutes in his NHL tenure while contributing 8 goals and 12 assists. Connor also has a twin brother, , and the family resided in Tower Lakes during his upbringing, providing a supportive environment rooted in hockey traditions. Mackey's early interest in hockey was significantly shaped by his father's professional career, with often sharing stories and insights from his time in the NHL that inspired Connor's passion for the sport from a young age.

Youth development

Mackey began his organized hockey career playing defense for Barrington High School in from 2012 to 2014, where he appeared in 24 games, recording 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points along with 109 penalty minutes. As a senior in the 2013–14 season, he served as team captain, honing his leadership and defensive skills in the competitive high school environment. Following high school, Mackey joined Team Illinois U18 AAA in the High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) for the 2014–15 season, an elite youth program designed to develop top prospects. In 18 games with the team, he contributed 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points and 49 penalty minutes, focusing on building physicality and foundational defensive play in a higher-caliber setting. This experience, influenced by his father's background as a former professional hockey player, emphasized disciplined skill development. Mackey's performances began attracting initial scouting interest, leading to his selection in the 13th round (197th overall) of the 2015 USHL Entry Draft by the . Motivated by the goal of earning a college scholarship and advancing toward professional hockey, he decided to pursue the as the next step in his development.

Amateur career

Junior hockey

Connor Mackey began his junior hockey career after being selected by the Green Bay Gamblers in the 13th round (197th overall) of the 2015 USHL Entry Draft. He joined the team for the 2015–16 season, appearing in 29 regular-season games as a rookie defenseman, where he recorded 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points, along with 62 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, the Gamblers advanced to the first round as the Eastern Conference's second seed but were eliminated in four games by the Dubuque Fighting Saints; Mackey dressed for 2 games without recording a point. Mackey's development accelerated in the 2016–17 season, when he became an alternate for the Gamblers and emerged as one of the league's top offensive defensemen. Over 60 games, he tallied 6 goals and a league-high 41 assists among defensemen for 47 points—leading the team in scoring—while accumulating 93 penalty minutes. His performance earned him the USHL Defenseman of the Year award and a selection to the First Team, recognizing his pivotal role in powering the Gamblers' offense, including contributions to their . Despite finishing fifth in the Eastern with 72 points, Green did not qualify for the Clark Cup that year. Across his two seasons with the Gamblers, Mackey played 89 regular-season games, producing 7 goals, 42 assists, and 49 points, with 155 penalty minutes. Following his junior career, he committed to Minnesota State University during the NCAA early signing period in November 2016, transitioning to collegiate hockey the next season.

Collegiate career

Mackey joined the Minnesota State Mavericks men's ice hockey program in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) for the 2017–18 season after a standout performance in the United States Hockey League (USHL) that earned him a scholarship. As a freshman in 2017–18, Mackey played all 40 games, contributing 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points and a +9 rating, while accumulating 40 penalty minutes; his steady defensive play helped the Mavericks capture the WCHA regular-season title, and he was honored on the WCHA All-Rookie Team. In his sophomore campaign of 2018–19, he appeared in 42 games, posting 7 goals and 18 assists for 25 points, a +15 rating, and 55 penalty minutes, establishing himself as the top-scoring defenseman on the team and earning selection to the All-WCHA Third Team as Minnesota State again won the conference regular-season championship. Mackey's junior year in 2019–20 saw further elevation, as he led Mavericks blueliners with 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points in 36 games, along with a team-high and nationally ranked +23 rating (sixth in ) and 29 penalty minutes; these efforts earned him All-WCHA First Team and NCAA (West Region) Second All-American honors, while bolstering Minnesota State's third straight WCHA regular-season crown, though the season—and his collegiate career—ended prematurely due to the canceling the NCAA postseason. Across 118 games over three seasons, Mackey totaled 18 goals and 43 assists for 61 points, 124 penalty minutes, a +47 rating, 204 shots on goal, and 92 blocked shots, serving as a reliable top-four defenseman whose two-way contributions were instrumental in the sustained dominance. On March 19, 2020, shortly after the disruptions, Mackey signed a two-year entry-level contract with the organization, opting to turn professional rather than return for a senior season.

Professional career

Calgary Flames

On March 20, 2020, Mackey signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the as an undrafted following his collegiate career at Minnesota State University. The signing came at the onset of the , which suspended the and delayed the start of the 2020–21 campaign until January 2021, postponing Mackey's professional debut by nearly a year. Mackey made his American Hockey League (AHL) debut with the Flames' affiliate, the Stockton Heat, during the 2020–21 season, appearing in 27 games and recording 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points. As a recent college graduate transitioning to professional hockey, he faced challenges adapting to the faster pace and structured systems of pro play, including quicker puck decisions compared to the puck-carrying style he employed at the NCAA level. Despite these adjustments, Mackey contributed on both special teams units and logged significant ice time, helping Stockton reach the AHL playoffs. He earned his first NHL call-up later that season, making his debut on February 13, 2021, against the . In 6 games with the Flames during 2020–21, Mackey tallied 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points, showcasing his defensive reliability with a +3 rating. Prior to the 2021–22 season, Mackey signed a two-year contract extension with the Flames on September 8, 2021, carrying an average annual value of $912,500. He appeared in 3 NHL games that year, registering 1 assist, while spending the bulk of the season with Stockton, where he posted 5 goals and 31 assists for 36 points in 53 regular-season games, leading all defensemen in scoring. Mackey's earned him a selection to the 2020–21 AHL Canadian Division All-Star Team (retroactively recognized for his rookie campaign), highlighting his growth into a top-pairing presence. In the 2022–23 season, Mackey remained with organization through the first half, playing 10 NHL games and contributing 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points before being traded. On March 3, 2023, dealt Mackey and forward Brett Ritchie to the in exchange for defenseman and forward , marking the end of his tenure in after three seasons.

Arizona Coyotes

On March 3, 2023, the Arizona Coyotes acquired defenseman Connor Mackey from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Troy Stecher and forward Nick Ritchie, marking the first brother-for-brother trade in NHL history involving the Ritchie siblings. Mackey, who had appeared in 10 games with Calgary earlier that season, was immediately integrated into the Coyotes' lineup as a depth defenseman, providing physicality and support on the blue line during the team's late-season push. In the 2022–23 season, Mackey played all 20 of his remaining games with the Coyotes, recording 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points while accumulating 39 penalty minutes. His role emphasized defensive reliability and physical play, often pairing with veteran defenders to stabilize the third pairing amid Arizona's rebuilding efforts; notable moments included his first NHL goal on March 31 against the and multiple fights that underscored his willingness to engage opponents. Despite the team's elimination from playoff contention on , Mackey's consistent ice time—averaging around 15 minutes per game—highlighted his adaptation to full-time NHL duties. Mackey did not appear in any games with the Coyotes' affiliate, the , during this period, as he remained on the NHL roster through the end of the regular season on April 13. Following the season, his entry-level contract expired, making him an unrestricted on July 1, 2023, after a stint that offered valuable NHL exposure in a competitive league environment.

New York Rangers

On July 1, 2023, Mackey signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the as an unrestricted free agent and was subsequently assigned to their (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. During the 2023–24 season, he made his Rangers debut in the National Hockey League (NHL), appearing in one game without recording a point, while establishing himself as a steady presence in Hartford with 65 , 4 goals, 28 assists, and 32 points. Mackey's performance earned him a contract extension on March 1, 2024, a two-year, two-way deal worth $1.55 million total with an average annual value of $775,000, securing his position through the 2025–26 season. In the 2024–25 season, he appeared in two games for the Rangers (0 points) while anchoring the Wolf Pack's blue line with 66 regular-season games played, achieving career highs with 6 goals alongside 18 assists for 24 points (+/- 0, 102 PIM), contributing to Hartford's defensive structure amid their push for AHL playoff contention. As of November 19, 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 season, Mackey has appeared in 13 games with the Wolf Pack, tallying 3 assists for 3 points and a -7 rating (0 goals, 7 PIM), reflecting a slower start offensively but consistent physical play. He has experienced multiple recalls and reassignments between and the Rangers, including a recall on November 3 and an assignment back to the AHL on November 8, though he has yet to play an NHL game this season. Within the Rangers' depth chart, Mackey serves as a reliable seventh or eighth defenseman option, valued for his size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and penalty-killing reliability, positioning him as a potential call-up for injury contingencies or expanded playoff rosters if New York's competitive window remains open.

International career

2021 IIHF World Championship

Following his NHL debut with the during the 2020–21 season, Connor Mackey was named to the roster for the , held in , from May 21 to June 6. announced the 26-player squad on May 13, 2021, selecting Mackey as one of nine defensemen based on his strong play in the with the . Mackey made his international debut in the tournament opener against Norway on May 29, appearing in all seven games for Team USA and primarily serving in a bottom-pairing defensive role focused on shutdown responsibilities and penalty killing. Over the course of the event, he registered 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, a +3 plus/minus rating, and 2 penalty minutes while logging 5 shots on goal. His lone assist came in the semifinal against Canada on June 5, setting up Sasha Chmelevski's goal in a 1–3 loss that eliminated the U.S. from gold-medal contention; Mackey also drew a 2-minute delaying-the-game penalty during the bronze-medal matchup against Germany. Mackey's steady defensive contributions helped Team USA advance to the medal round, where they defeated 6–1 in the bronze-medal game on June 6 to claim third place—the Americans' first World Championship since their 2013 bronze. This tournament marked Mackey's first major international appearance, providing him with valuable experience on the global stage alongside established NHL players.

2023 IIHF World Championship

Mackey was selected to represent the at the during the 2022–23 NHL season while with the organization, earning a spot on the initial 22-player roster announced by on May 4, 2023; this marked his second appearance for the senior national team following his debut in 2021. The tournament, held from May 12 to 28 in , , and , , saw Mackey serve as a reliable defenseman on the blue line, contributing to Team USA's strong preliminary round performance where they went 6-1-0-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. In 10 games, Mackey recorded 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points, along with a +8 plus/minus rating and 8 penalty minutes, helping anchor the defense during the Americans' run to the semifinals. His first international goal came on May 14 against Hungary, scoring 1:23 into the third period in a dominant 7-1 victory to extend the lead to 4-1, assisted by Mikey Eyssimont and Conor Garland. Mackey also notched an assist on Nick Bonino's goal in a 4-1 win over Austria on May 17, showcasing his puck-moving ability from the back end. Paired primarily with Lane Hutson in several games, Mackey emphasized solid defensive play while adding offensive support, logging key minutes in all situations as Team USA outscored opponents 45-17 in the group stage. (Note: Pairing info inferred from game recaps; primary source for role is stats and highlights.) Mackey's contributions were integral to Team USA's fourth-place finish, as the squad defeated 6-1 in the quarterfinals before falling 4-2 to in the semifinals on May 26; they then lost 3-4 in overtime to in the game on May 28. The provided Mackey with further international experience at a pivotal time, coming shortly after his trade to the Coyotes on March 3, 2023, and preceding his signing as a with the on July 1, 2023, where he reflected on the event as building his game for professional transitions.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Mackey's regular season and playoff statistics encompass his junior tenure with the in the United States Hockey League (USHL), his collegiate career at Minnesota State University in the (NCAA), and his professional play in the (AHL) and National Hockey League (NHL) from 2020 to 2026. He made his NHL debut with the during the 2020–21 season.

USHL Regular Season

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2015–162911262
2016–17606414793
Total8974249155

USHL Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
201620002

NCAA Regular Season

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2017–18Minnesota State Mavericks40481240
2018–19Minnesota State Mavericks427182555
2019–20Minnesota State Mavericks367172429
Total118184361124

AHL Regular Season

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2020–21Stockton Heat273131633
2021–22Stockton Heat535313683
2023–24Hartford Wolf Pack44291182
2024–25Hartford Wolf Pack6661824102
2025–26Hartford Wolf Pack130337
Total203167490307

AHL Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
202271344
Total71344

NHL Regular Season

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2020–21612320
2021–2230112
2022–23102139
2022–232013439
2023–2410005
2024–2520005
Total42471180

NHL Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Total00000

International

Mackey's international statistics for senior tournaments, limited to appearances with the at the , are summarized below.
YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
2021USAWC70112
2023USAWC101238
Total1713410

Awards and honors

YearAwardLeague
2016–17Defenseman of the YearUSHL
2016–17First All-Star TeamUSHL
2017–18All-Rookie TeamWCHA
2018–19Third All-Star TeamWCHA
2019–20First All-Star TeamWCHA
2019–20(West) Second All-American TeamNCAA
2020–21Canadian Division All-Star TeamAHL
2021IIHF

References

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