Earlier this week I posted an article regarding UND’s formidable D corps, the link to which is attached hereto. A player I did not include in that post is Ethan MacKenzie (2026 draft-eligible, ranked #62 among North American skaters per Central Scouting), who just completed the 2025-26 season with Edmonton in the WHL. He will play for the Fighting Hawks in 2026-27.
A bit of a late bloomer, at least by hockey standards, MacKenzie has been passed over twice in the NHL draft. Injury, coupled with a lack of size, were past culprits. That is no longer the case, as MacKenzie is a healthy 6′ tall 19-year-old with a World Junior Championship bronze medal to his credit.
As indicated by his +29 player rating this season, MacKenzie relishes physical contact and thrives off of moving the puck out of high-danger areas. He is no slouch on the other side of the puck either, as shown by his registering 58 points (22G 36A) in 59 regular-season games this year. He’ll make a great addition to an already stout group in Grand Forks.