Brock McGinn Bio
Brock McGinn (born February 2, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who most recently played for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 47th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2012 NHL entry draft and has built a solid NHL career spanning over a decade. McGinn previously played for the Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins before joining the Ducks organization. He is currently an unrestricted free agent.
Early Life and Background
Brock McGinn was born on February 2, 1994, in Fergus, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in southern Ontario, McGinn developed his passion for hockey at a young age and honed his skills within the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). He played his minor hockey years with the Guelph Jr. Storm before advancing to junior hockey.
McGinn comes from a hockey-oriented family. His father is Bob McGinn, and he has two older brothers, Jamie McGinn (born 1988) and Tye McGinn (born 1990), both of whom pursued professional hockey careers. Jamie was a 2006 second-round pick by the San Jose Sharks and most recently played for the Florida Panthers, while Tye was a 2010 fourth-round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers and played for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
Path to Professional Hockey
McGinn’s journey to professional hockey began when he was selected by the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the third round, 46th overall, during the OHL Priority Selection Draft. He played with the Storm from the 2010-11 season through the 2013-14 season. At the beginning of the 2011-12 season, the coaching staff recognized his leadership qualities and named him an alternate captain.
His final season with the Storm proved to be his most productive junior year. McGinn established career-high numbers, tallying 43 goals and 85 points. The Guelph Storm captured the 2014 J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions, defeating the North Bay Battalion in the final, with McGinn scoring the opening goal in the championship game. The Storm then represented the OHL at the 2014 Memorial Cup tournament, where McGinn contributed five points in five games, though the Storm fell to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the final.
Brock McGinn Career
Carolina Hurricanes (2013–2021)
Following his impressive junior career, McGinn was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, 47th overall, during the 2012 NHL entry draft. On April 3, 2013, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes. With the Storm’s OHL playoff run ending, McGinn joined Carolina’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for the remainder of the 2012-13 AHL season to begin his professional development.
In his first full professional season with the Checkers during 2014-15, McGinn recorded 15 goals and 27 points in 73 games. He received his first NHL recall during the 2015-16 season after scoring two goals in two games with the Checkers. McGinn made his NHL debut on October 16, 2015, against the Detroit Red Wings. In his very first shift, he scored his first NHL goal just 55 seconds into the game, opening the scoring and helping the Hurricanes defeat the Red Wings 5-3. It marked the fastest debut goal since Alexander Mogilny scored after 20 seconds in 1989. He finished that season with four points in 21 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2021–2023)
After seven seasons with the Hurricanes organization, McGinn reached unrestricted free agency following the 2020-21 season. On July 28, 2021, he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins by signing a four-year, $11 million contract. He scored his first goal as a Penguin on October 16, 2021, in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. During his first season with Pittsburgh, McGinn suffered an upper-body injury on March 11, 2022, against his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes, and returned to the lineup on April 13 after missing 15 games.
In his second season with the Penguins during 2022-23, McGinn struggled on the third line, enduring a 26-game point drought despite scoring two game-winning goals in back-to-back games in November. On February 28, 2023, Pittsburgh placed him on waivers, and after clearing waivers, the Penguins traded him and a third-round draft pick in the 2024 NHL entry draft to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Dmitry Kulikov on March 3, 2023.
Anaheim Ducks (2023–2024)
McGinn made his Ducks debut on March 7, 2023, in a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken. He scored his first goal as a Duck in his second game, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on March 8. However, his season was cut short when he suffered an upper-body injury on April 6, 2023, in a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, causing him to miss the remainder of the season.
During the 2023 training camp, McGinn suffered a lower-body injury that led to him being placed on injured reserve at the beginning of the 2023-24 season. He was activated and made his season debut on November 16, 2023, in an 8-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Following the conclusion of his contract with the Ducks, McGinn became an unrestricted free agent.
Driving Style and Strengths
McGinn is known as a reliable two-way left winger who plays a solid defensive game while contributing offense. His skating ability and work ethic allow him to forecheck effectively and create energy for his lines. He has shown the ability to play in various situations, including on the penalty kill and in late-game scenarios. His durability was evident during the 2018-19 season when he played in all 82 regular-season games for the Hurricanes.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of McGinn’s career came during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals, with the Hurricanes trailing late in regulation, McGinn made a critical defensive save with just over two minutes remaining. He then scored the series-winning goal with 8:55 left in double overtime, assisted by Justin Williams, securing Carolina’s first playoff victory since 2009. This dramatic moment cemented his place in Hurricanes franchise history.
Brock McGinn Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning the OHL, AHL, and NHL levels, McGinn has accumulated significant victories and achievements. His most notable triumph came at the junior level when he helped the Guelph Storm capture the 2014 J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions.
NHL Highlights
At the NHL level, McGinn has appeared in over 400 regular-season games across three organizations. His career-high season came in 2017-18 with the Carolina Hurricanes, when he scored 16 goals and recorded 30 points in 80 games. During his time with Carolina, he established himself as a reliable depth forward who could contribute both offensively and defensively. His overtime heroics in Game 7 against the Washington Capitals in the 2019 playoffs stand as one of the most memorable moments of his professional career.
Junior and Minor Hockey Achievements
Prior to his NHL career, McGinn’s most significant championship came with the Guelph Storm in 2014, when the team won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions. He scored the opening goal in the championship final against the North Bay Battalion and contributed five points during the Memorial Cup tournament that followed.
Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Brock McGinn comes from a distinguished hockey family with multiple generations of professional players. His father, Bob McGinn, has been involved in hockey both as a player and executive. Brock’s older brothers, Jamie McGinn and Tye McGinn, both pursued professional hockey careers, making the McGinn family one of the notable hockey families in Canadian sports. Jamie was drafted in the second round (27th overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2006 NHL entry draft and played for several NHL teams throughout his career.
Business Ventures
Beyond his playing career, McGinn has diversified his involvement in hockey. Along with his father Bob McGinn and his two brothers, he is one of the owners of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). This venture demonstrates his commitment to growing the sport at the grassroots level and providing opportunities for developing players.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Brock McGinn continues his professional hockey career as an unrestricted free agent following the expiration of his contract with the Anaheim Ducks. After battling injuries during the 2023-24 season, McGinn remains focused on demonstrating his durability and contributions as a reliable two-way forward capable of playing in various roles across a lineup. His extensive NHL experience of over 400 games, combined with his proven ability to perform in high-pressure situations, makes him an attractive option for teams seeking veteran depth at the left wing position.
Throughout his career, McGinn has proven himself as a dependable player who can contribute in multiple facets of the game. His performance in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, particularly his Game 7 heroics against the Washington Capitals, demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest. Teams considering McGinn can expect a player who brings consistency, defensive responsibility, and the versatility to slot into different forward combinations.
The outlook for McGinn in 2025 remains positive as he continues to pursue opportunities in the NHL. His family legacy in hockey, combined with his decade of professional experience, positions him as a valuable asset for any team seeking a reliable veteran presence. His involvement in the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs also reflects his broader commitment to the sport beyond his playing career.