Thunder Bay's Mackenzie Blackwood highly ranked heading into NHL draft

MacKenzie Blackwood is trying not to think too much about where his hockey career will take him next.

As a youngster, the 18-year-old Thunder Bay goalie said he was indoctrinated by his father to cheer for the Colorado Avalanche.

But the Barrie Colts star, the top-ranked North American goalie heading into this year’s NHL Entry Draft, said on Wednesday it really doesn’t matter at this point where his playing rights land.

“It’s been a dream for me, so it’s kind of surreal heading into it,” Blackwood said, reached by phone in Barrie, where he’s training for next month’s NHL combine, the last chance to show team scouts what he’s got.

“I know I just have to stay level-headed and just know anything can happen, because you never know what.”

Blackwood and his friends have casually looked at the mock drafts, most of which have him labeled as a solid second-rounder. One had him going as high as the second pick, to Arizona, in Round 2.

But they really mean nothing, unless you’re Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, the presumptive No. 1 and 2 picks this year.

“Friends have told me you never know when you’re going to go or where you’re going to go. I’ve seen people ranked in the seventh round and go in the second round or be ranked in the first round and go late,” Blackwood said. 

“So you never, never know – it’s all about a team liking you and taking you. It’s really just up to the team I guess.”

The team that ultimately selects him will be one in need of goaltending help.

That should put him directly in the Edmonton Oilers crosshairs. The Oilers, who have struggled despite having three No. 1 picks in recent years, landed the biggest prize of them all earlier this month when they won the NHL draft lottery, ensuring McDavid’s arrival next fall.

The Oilers have long been in need of netminding help, and with two first-rounders and two second-rounders, could be in the market for Blackwood’s services.

“I know that Edmonton needs a goalie,” he said, adding he didn’t pay too much attention to the draft lottery itself.

“They have a lot of good forwards and they’re a talented team. I’d be happy to go there, but I’d be happy to go anywhere. I’m not too picky at all.”

Playing under hall-of-famer Dale Hawerchuk in Barrie, Blackwood went 33-14-2, with a 3.09 goals against average and .906 save percentage. He was selected to play in the top prospect’s game, but was unable to suit up due to illness.

The Thunder Bay Kings graduate said he saw plenty of improvement in his game this past season, although numbers-wise his two season in junior were similar. 

“If you compare myself from this season to last season, I’m a totally different goaltender. I could just see improvements in little things this year, a little bit of refining my game, making things a little more crisp, a little smoother,” he said.

“It comes with experience.”

Blackwood said he plans to attend the draft, scheduled for June 26 and 27 in Sunrise, Fla. He’s also hoping to earn an invite to Team Canada’s junior camp this summer.

It’s almost exciting as draft day, he said.

“I’m pretty nervous/excited to see what happens with the junior camp this year.”