Mackenze Stewart

History

2010-11: MacKenze Stewart played for the Edge School hockey program in Calgary. He appeared in one game with the school’s prep team — scoring a goal in his only action. He played 36 games for the Edge School Maroon AA team and scored 3 goals with 15 assists and 8 penalty minutes. In six CSSHL playoff games he had 1 assist and 2 penalty minutes.

2011-12: Stewart played junior B hockey in Alberta — splitting the season between the Okotoks Bisons and High River Flyers in the Heritage Junior Hockey League. He scored 16 goals with 3 assists and 24 penalty minutes in 27 games for the Bisons and scored 2 goals with 6 assists and 8 penalty minutes in 10 games for High River.

2012-13: Stewart skated in six October games with the WHL Prince Albert Raiders after attending the team’s camp as a free agent and played for the Calgary Mustangs in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He had no points and was minus-1 in his brief time with the Raiders. Stewart scored 1 goal with 4 assists and had 65 points in 33 regular season games for Calgary and had no points with 17 penalty minutes in three AJHL playoff games.

2013-14: Stewart appeared in 55 of 72 regular season games for Prince Albert as an 18-year-old WHL rookie. He scored 5 goals with 4 assists and was minus-7 with 69 penalty minutes. The Raiders finished fourth in the East Division and were swept by eventual Memorial Cup champion Edmonton in a first round playoff series. Stewart had 1 assist and was minus-3 with 2 penalty minutes in four playoff games. Not among the 210 North American skaters in the Central Scouting final rankings, he was selected by Vancouver in the seventh round (186th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft his second year of eligibility.

Talent Analysis

Stewart was drafted as a long-range prospect late in the 2014 NHL Draft. His size, willingness to compete, and imposing physical game are his chief attributes. In terms of skating and technical skills he is still a work in progress and his positional and tactical play is fairly raw at this point. He is willing to drop the gloves to protect teammates or create energy for his team. Stewart may need an overage season in the WHL and more should be known about Stewart's long-term potential once he hits minor league hockey.

Future

Stewart was signed by the Vancouver Canucks to an entry-level contract in May 2015. He is eligible for an over-age season with Prince Albert but he will probably start in the ECHL or AHL. Long-range Stewart projects as a lower pairing defensive defenseman with the willingness to fight for his teammates at the NHL level. He will need to take the long road through the ECHL and AHL if he is ever to have a chance at a jump to the NHL. Recent reports indicate that he may be tried as a winger in 2015-16. His massive frame and willingness to battle would make him a handful for opposing defenders and this route may give him the best chance at an NHL contract one day.