Nathan MacKinnon is set to make his National Hockey League debut Wednesday night, as the Colorado Avalanche face off against the Anaheim Ducks in their season opener.
The former Halifax Moosehead, and Cole Harbour, N.S. native, was selected first overall by the Avalanche in the 2013 NHL entry draft.
The 18-year-old has developed a large fan base who have been waiting all summer to see him play in an Avalanche jersey.
“I hope they play him a lot, just to show what he can do,” says Avalanche fan Paddy Arsenault.
MacKinnon’s fans are eager to show their support. MacKinnon shirts have been flying off the shelves at local sports stores.
“As soon as he signed and he was assigned number 29, it was going nuts,” says sports store employee Brian Corless.
Jon Greenwood taught and coached MacKinnon and could tell that he had what it took to make the NHL from a young age.
“He has the unique blend of unbelievable talent and energy,” says Greenwood. “You know, any time one of our own makes it on that stage, it is really, really a big moment and I can only imagine how he’s feeling. He must be very, very anxious and excited.”
MacKinnon took to his Twitter account Tuesday evening to express his excitement over the hockey milestone.
“Might be tough to sleep tonight, excited for my first NHL game tomorrow night!” tweeted MacKinnon.
Luke Stienburg hopes to have that feeling one day. Like MacKinnon, the 14-year-old hockey player has dreams of making the NHL.
“He’s really fast,” says Stienburg. “He tends to have a good shot and he’s also pretty inspirational to watch because he’s from the same hometown where I’m from.”
MacKinnon’s former team is also excited for his NHL debut. In an email to CTV News, the Halifax Mooseheads – who are travelling to Quebec – wished their former teammate luck, saying they would be cheering him on every step of the way.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Sarah Plowman
