Draft one of many hockey highlights for Blackwood in June

THUNDER BAY -- Mackenzie Blackwood had a whirlwind June.

Career-wise the Thunder Bay goaltender learned where he might one day play, when the New Jersey Devils made the 6-foot-4 Barrie Colts star the 42nd pick in the NHL Draft, grabbing him with their first pick of the second round.

Earlier in the week he got an almost equally exciting call from Hockey Canada, inviting him to the national junior team’s summer development camp.

Blackwood, who was fourth in the Ontario Hockey League with 33 wins, has pretty good odds to suit up for Canada in Helsinki at the Christmastime tournament, attempting to help his country win a second straight gold medal.

“I can’t even imagine,” said Blackwood. “That would be like the draft, another dream come true. To represent your county would be an incredible honour. Not too many players get to do that. To be fortunate enough to pull the Canadian jersey over your head would be a really big honour.”

Hockey Canada extended invitations to just three netminders, a list that also includes Halifax’s Mason McDonald and Becanour, Que.’s Samuel Montembeault.

Both competitors play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Summer Showcase is scheduled to run between July 29 and Aug. 6 in Calgary.

For now his focus is on readying himself for another season of junior.

The Devils, with Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid in goal, aren’t likely looking for Blackwood to make an impact at the NHL level any time soon.

It usually takes a year or two of seasoning in the minor leagues, and the 18-year-old still has two years of OHL eligibility remaining.
He’s had brief talks with his new club.

“I have no idea yet,” he said. “I haven’t gotten into talking about plans for the future or anything like that. It was more of a celebration day at the draft instead of expectations. I’ll probably find out about that when I go to camp on (July 12).” 

Blackwood, who admitted surprise at being taken by the Devils, said the draft experience was an incredible one, especially having his family at his side.

He was also joined in Sunrise, Fla. by his billets from Barrie and some close friends.

“I had a great support group there with me to help celebrate the day with me,” Blackwood said. 

Going forward, he said there’s plenty he plans to work on to help take that next step, whether it’s making Team Canada in December or working his way up the hockey ladder.

“I think I just need to work on all the little things. All the little things add up to make big things, so not making the same mistakes twice and always working hard off the ice too. If I correct my mistakes and keep working hard off the ice, I think good things will happen.”