Zack MacEwen

Zack MacEwen
MacEwen with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021
Born (1996-07-08) July 8, 1996 (age 28)
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 227 lb (103 kg; 16 st 3 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Ottawa Senators
Vancouver Canucks
Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2017–present

Zack MacEwen (born July 8, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.

Playing career

[edit]

Junior

[edit]

The Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) noticed MacEwen when he was playing with Amherst, and he began playing with the team during the 2014–15 season, briefly filling in for various skaters who were attending that year's World Junior Championship.[1] After being passed over in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he rejoined Moncton for the 2015–16 QMJHL season, scoring 10 goals and 30 assists in 66 games.[2]

On August 12, 2016, the Wildcats traded MacEwen to the Gatineau Olympiques in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft. Although Moncton had expressed interest in retaining him for the 2016–17 QMJHL season, the league only allowed three 20-year-old players per team.[3]

Professional

[edit]

Vancouver Canucks (2017–2021)

[edit]

On March 3, 2017, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL).[4] He later signed an amateur tryout contract with the Canucks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets, on April 10, 2017.[5] He scored his first career AHL goal on October 29, 2017, against the Charlotte Checkers[6] and ended his first professional season with 33 points in 66 games. He was awarded the Ian Anderson Award as the Comets' Most Improved rookie.[7]

After attending the Canucks training camp, MacEwen was assigned to the Comets to begin the 2018–19 season in the AHL.[8] He was recalled from the AHL on February 10, 2019, after a four-point game the previous night against the Rochester Americans.[9] He subsequently made his NHL debut on February 11, 2019, against the San Jose Sharks.[10] He recorded his first NHL point in his debut with an assist on Derrick Pouliot's goal. However, the Canucks lost 7–2.[11] MacEwen played four games for Vancouver before eventually being reassigned to Utica.

After spending the first 13 games of the 2019–20 season with the Comets, MacEwen and Tyler Graovac were recalled to the NHL on November 13, with Jalen Chatfield sent down to the AHL in their place.[12] He scored his first NHL goal on December 3 in the first period of a 5–2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.[13] MacEwen was briefly reassigned to Utica when Michael Ferland was activated from concussion protocols, but was called back up four days later when Ferland suffered an additional upper-body injury.[14] After the arrival of Tyler Toffoli sent MacEwen back to Utica,[15] he was recalled once more on January 30, when MacEwen and Justin Bailey were called up in place of an injured Tyler Motte.[16] With the NHL instituting a strict salary cap for the 2020–21 season, Vancouver general manager Jim Benning began looking at MacEwen as an inexpensive everyday NHL player by February 2020.[17] By the time that the COVID-19 pandemic forced the indefinite suspension of the NHL and AHL seasons, MacEwen had five goals, six points, and 20 penalty minutes in 17 games for Vancouver.[18] He also joined Vancouver for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, appearing in six games for a team that defeated the defending champion St. Louis Blues before losing in the second round to the Vegas Golden Knights.[19]

MacEwen signed a two-year contract extension with Vancouver on October 6, 2020, a deal with an average annual value of $825,000.[20] He had difficulty settling into the 2020–21 season, as several injuries and an outbreak of COVID-19 among players and staff led to a constant rotation of skaters on the fourth line. MacEwan himself only skated in 34 of 56 games in the pandemic-shortened season, notching two points in the process.[21] He was also one of 21 members of the Canucks organization to contract COVID-19, missing two weeks in April with the virus. After being initially asymptomatic, MacEwen suffered from an "uncomfortable tiredness" for a short period of time.[22] MacEwen was also suspended for one game in May for a series of hits on Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers. While he originally received a minor penalty for high-sticking Nurse after a collision, MacEwan was suspended and fined $7,000 for kneeing a prone Nurse in the head. Neither player left the game, and they fought twice more, once in the second and once in the third period.[23]

Philadelphia Flyers (2021–2023)

[edit]

On October 12, 2021, shortly before the start of the 2021–22 NHL season, the Canucks placed MacEwen on waivers in order to make room for Alex Chiasson, who was being signed to a one-year contract.[24] The Philadelphia Flyers, who were short a forward after an injury to Kevin Hayes, claimed MacEwen off of waivers the next day.[25] After successfully acquiring his US work visa, MacEwen joined the Flyers on October 20, skating on the fourth line alongside Nate Thompson and former QMJHL teammate Nicolas Aubé-Kubel.[26] In 75 games that season, MacEwen racked up three goals and a career-high nine points.[27]

As a restricted free agent in the off-season, MacEwen was re-signed to a one-year, $925,000 contract extension with the Flyers on August 2, 2022.[28] Under new coach John Tortorella, MacEwen played effectively on the fourth line alongside Nicolas Deslauriers and Patrick Brown. On January 29, 2023, MacEwen suffered a broken jaw in a fight with the Minnesota Wild's Marcus Foligno. He had already tied his career-high in points with nine in a season before his injury. He was expected to miss five weeks.[29]

Los Angeles Kings (2023)

[edit]

On March 3, 2023, the Flyers traded MacEwen to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Brendan Lemieux and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.[30] He played his first game with Los Angeles in a 4–2 win over the Washington Capitals.[31] He registered his first point with the Kings on March 20 in an 8–2 victory over the Calgary Flames, setting a new career-high in single season points.[32] He finished the season with a combined four goals and 10 points in 57 games and appeared in one post-season game with the Kings versus the Edmonton Oilers.[33]

Ottawa Senators (2023–present)

[edit]

On July 6, 2023, MacEwen as a free agent was signed to a three-year, $2.325 million contract with the Ottawa Senators.[33] He made the team out of training camp, but after four games, MacEwen was placed on waivers due to salary cap implications.[34] After going unclaimed, he was assigned to Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.[35] He was recalled by Ottawa on November 4 after Ridly Greig and Mark Kastelic suffered injuries.[36] MacEwen was fined by the NHL on November 28 for unsportsmanlike conduct after an altercation with Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers during the Senators 5–0 loss on November 27.[37] MacEwen scored his first goal with the Senators on December 31 in a 5–1 over the Buffalo Sabres.[38] On February 12, 2024, MacEwen was placed on waivers again by the Senators in order to make room on the roster for Anton Forsberg who was returning from injury.[39] After going unclaimed, he was assigned to Belleville. He was recalled on March 1 after Josh Norris suffered a season-ending injury and Brady Tkachuk suffered an upper-body injury.[40][41] However, in his first game back with the team on March 2, he suffered a lower body injury in the first period and did not return.[41][42] He returned to the lineup on April 7 versus the Washington Capitals.[43]

Personal life

[edit]

MacEwen is of Scottish descent from his paternal great-grandmother. While being raised in Stratford, Prince Edward Island by parents Craig and Juliana, his family ran a berry farm.[44] On May 6, 2020, it was announced that his father Craig had died.[45]

Career statistics

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 9 1 1 2 6 9 2 2 4 10
2015–16 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 66 10 30 40 56 17 4 4 8 14
2016–17 Gatineau Olympiques QMJHL 66 31 43 74 90 7 6 3 9 2
2017–18 Utica Comets AHL 66 10 23 33 56 5 1 0 1 4
2018–19 Utica Comets AHL 69 22 30 52 75 — — — — —
2018–19 Vancouver Canucks NHL 4 0 1 1 5 — — — — —
2019–20 Utica Comets AHL 20 5 6 11 25 — — — — —
2019–20 Vancouver Canucks NHL 17 5 1 6 20 6 0 0 0 9
2020–21 Vancouver Canucks NHL 34 1 1 2 44 — — — — —
2021–22 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 75 3 6 9 110 — — — — —
2022–23 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 2 1 2 3 0 — — — — —
2022–23 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 46 4 5 9 54 — — — — —
2022–23 Los Angeles Kings NHL 10 0 1 1 12 1 0 0 0 2
2023–24 Ottawa Senators NHL 30 2 1 3 57 — — — — —
2023–24 Belleville Senators AHL 10 5 2 7 8 — — — — —
NHL totals 216 15 16 31 302 7 0 0 0 11

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Halford, Mike (March 2, 2018). "Q&A with standout Utica rookie Zack MacEwen, who has a message for all the longshots". The Athletic. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Canucks sign QMJHL standout MacEwen". TSN Hockey. March 3, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  3. ^ "Wildcats Trade MacEwen to Gatineau". Moncton Wildcats. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. August 12, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  4. ^ "Canucks Sign Forward Zack MacEwen to Three Year ELC". Vancouver Canucks. March 3, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  5. ^ "Comets Sign Forward Zack MacEwen to ATO". Utica Comets. April 10, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  6. ^ "Comets Overpower Checkers". Utica Comets. October 29, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  7. ^ "Utica Comets name MacEwen most improved rookie". The Guardian. April 15, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Wagner, Daniel (September 21, 2018). "Camp Cuts: Kole Lind, Jonah Gadjovich, and six others get their walking papers". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  9. ^ "Canucks Recall Forward Zack Macewen". Vancouver Canucks. February 10, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  10. ^ Woodly, Kevin (February 11, 2019). "Sharks at Canucks preview". Vancouver Canucks. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  11. ^ Paterson, Jeff (February 12, 2019). "Five Takeaways: Canucks vs Sharks". TSN. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  12. ^ "Canucks recall MacEwen & Graovac". National Hockey League. Vancouver Canucks. November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "MacEwen tallies first NHL goal in Canucks win". SaltWire Network. December 4, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  14. ^ Johnston, Patrick (December 11, 2019). "Canucks recall Zack MacEwen following Ferland injury". The Province. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  15. ^ MacIntyre, Iain (March 7, 2020). "Canucks' MacEwen making good on Benning's belief in his potential". Sportsnet. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "Canucks Recall Justin Bailey and Zack MacEwen from Utica". National Hockey League. Vancouver Canucks. January 30, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Willes, Ed (February 21, 2020). "Ed Willes: GM will calculate roster configurations as Canucks confront cap crunch". National Post. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  18. ^ Birnell, Ben (October 6, 2020). "MacEwen returns to Canucks on two-year deal". Observer-Dispatch. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Malloy, Jason (October 9, 2020). "Zack MacEwen excited to continue to grow with Vancouver Canucks organization". Annapolis Valley Register. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "Canucks re-sign forward Zack MacEwen". National Hockey League. Vancouver Canucks. October 6, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  21. ^ Kuzma, Ben (October 4, 2021). "Canucks: Zack MacEwen finding fourth-line ticket not easy to punch". The Province. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  22. ^ Ross, Shane (May 5, 2021). "NHL player Zack MacEwen says COVID-19 is 'no joke' – and he would know". CBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  23. ^ Johnston, Patrick (May 7, 2021). "Canucks' Zack MacEwen suspended one game for kneeing". The Province. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  24. ^ Williams, Rob (October 12, 2021). "Canucks waive MacEwen, sign Chiasson to one-year contract". Daily Hive. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  25. ^ "Flyers claim forward Zack MacEwen off of waivers from Vancouver". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. October 13, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  26. ^ Han, Giana (October 20, 2021). "Three Flyers to debut Wednesday vs. Bruins; COVID-19 vaccinations to be offered at Wells Fargo Center". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  27. ^ Simmonds, Jason (August 4, 2022). "Zack MacEwen thrilled to be staying with Philadelphia Flyers". Saltwire. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  28. ^ "Flyers sign forward Zack MacEwen to one-year contract". Philadelphia Flyers. August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  29. ^ Elvin, Gustav (January 29, 2023). "Flyers forward Zack MacEwen out five weeks with fractured jaw". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  30. ^ "Kings Acquire Forward Zack MacEwen From Philadelphia Flyers". NHL.com. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  31. ^ Greenspan, Dan (March 6, 2023). "Kings stay hot at home with a victory over Capitals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  32. ^ Jablonski, Jack (March 21, 2023). "3/20 Final - Kings 8, Flames 2". Los Angeles Kings. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Sens agree to terms with forward Zack MacEwen on a three-year contract". Ottawa Senators. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  34. ^ Warne, Steve (October 20, 2023). "Cap Crunch Forces Senators to Place Zack MacEwen on Waivers". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Garrioch: Injury to keep defenceman Artem Zub out of Ottawa Senators lineup Saturday". Ottawa Sun. October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  36. ^ "Senators recall forwards Roby Jarventie and Zack MacEwen from AHL". Sportsnet. November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  37. ^ "Senators' MacEwen fined by NHL for unsportsmanlike conduct against Panthers". CTV News. The Canadian Press. November 28, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  38. ^ "Anton Forsberg makes 45 saves in Senators' 5-1 victory over Sabres". ESPN. Associated Press. December 31, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  39. ^ "Senators place F MacEwen on waivers". TSN. February 12, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  40. ^ "Report: Sens place Norris on long-term injured reserve". TSN. March 1, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  41. ^ a b Mazloum, Toula (March 3, 2024). "Lower-body injury rules Senator's MacEwen out of game against Flyers". CTV News. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  42. ^ Lacasse, Mike (March 3, 2024). "Senators' MacEwen exits game vs. Flyers with lower-body injury". CityNews. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  43. ^ Chisholm, Daniel (April 8, 2024). "Preview: Senators at Panthers". Ottawa Senators. Retrieved April 18, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  44. ^ "A Day in the Life: Zack MacEwen". Utica Comets. August 29, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  45. ^ @Canucks (May 5, 2020). "Today the Canucks organization mourns the loss of Zack MacEwen's father, Craig MacEwen. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Zack and the MacEwen family" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zack_MacEwen&oldid=1250594692"