MacKenzie Weegar Bio
MacKenzie Weegar is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a defenceman and alternate captain for the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 7, 1994, in Ottawa, Ontario, he was drafted by the Florida Panthers as the 206th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Weegar began his professional career in 2014, developing through the Panthers minor league affiliates before establishing himself in the NHL. Known for his strong defensive play and physical presence, he has become a key player in the Flames lineup. Weegar represents Canada internationally and won a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, where he was named Best Defenceman of the tournament.
Early Life and Background
MacKenzie Weegar was born on January 7, 1994, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the Ottawa area and developed his passion for hockey at a young age. Weegar comes from a hockey family, as he is the first cousin of former NHL player and current broadcaster Craig Rivet. Following in his family footsteps, Weegar began playing organized hockey in his hometown before advancing to major junior hockey.
Weegar played his major junior hockey career with the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). His time with the Mooseheads helped develop his defensive abilities and hockey sense, preparing him for the next level of his career.
Path to Professional Hockey
During his major junior career with the Halifax Mooseheads, Weegar established himself as a reliable two-way defenceman capable of contributing offensively while maintaining solid defensive play. His performance caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
The Florida Panthers selected Weegar with the 206th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. After his second season with the Mooseheads in 2013–14, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers on May 29, 2014, officially beginning his professional hockey journey.
MacKenzie Weegar Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Following his signing with the Florida Panthers, Weegar joined the organization for the 2014–15 season. He participated in the Panthers Prospect Tournament before being assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, to start the season. Weegar earned his first AHL point with an assist on October 24, 2014, and scored his first professional goal during a 3–0 win over the Iowa Wild on December 12. He was later re-assigned to the Panthers ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones, before returning to the AHL.
For the 2015–16 season, Weegar was assigned to the Portland Pirates after the Panthers shifted their AHL affiliation. He scored his first career AHL goal with the Pirates on October 30 against the Rochester Americans. The following season with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Weegar emerged as one of the teams best players and most prolific scoring defencemen. His accomplishments earned him recognition as the first Springfield Thunderbird to participate in the AHL All-Star Game.
Florida Panthers Breakthrough (2017–2022)
Weegar received his first call up to the NHL level on April 3, 2017, as a replacement for Aaron Ekblad. He made his NHL debut that night in a 4–1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, recording one shot on goal, two hits, and serving a minor penalty while playing 16:45 of ice time. After playing in three games with Florida, he was returned to the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he finished the season leading all team defencemen with 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points through 60 games.
In the 2017–18 season, Weegar stayed at the NHL level for the entirety of the campaign. He scored his first career NHL goal on October 20 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Throughout the season, he worked to improve his defensive game with guidance from former NHL defenceman Chris Pronger. As his defensive play improved, coach Bob Boughner rewarded him with increased ice time, including time on the second power-play unit.
Weegar improved offensively during the 2018–19 season and set new career highs in goals, assists, and games played while averaging a career-best 16:58 of ice time. He played a significant role on the Panthers blue line, occasionally earning time in the top four defensive pairings. After suffering a concussion in January, he returned strong and tallied three goals and five assists over his final 18 games.
During the 2019–20 season, Weegar continued to be a key contributor for the Panthers. When new head coach Joel Quenneville paired Weegar with Aaron Ekblad on the top unit, they combined for strong results early in the season. By late October, Weegar led all Panthers defencemen with three goals and nine points while playing on their top pairing. After the NHL resumed play for the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers, Weegar made his NHL postseason debut on August 1, 2020, during Game 1 of the Qualifiers against the New York Islanders, tallying an assist.
Calgary Flames Era (2022–Present)
On July 22, 2022, Weegar was included in a blockbuster trade with the Florida Panthers. He was sent to the Calgary Flames along with Jonathan Huberdeau, Cole Schwindt, and a conditional 2025 first-round selection in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional fourth-round selection. Weegar joined the Flames as a key piece of their defensive core, bringing his experience and two-way play to the Western Conference team.
With the Flames, Weegar established himself as a reliable top-four defenceman. His strong defensive play and ability to contribute offensively made him a valuable asset for the team. He was named an alternate captain, reflecting the leadership role he assumed within the organization.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Weegar is known for his strong defensive play, physical presence, and ability to shut down opposing forwards. His hockey sense and positioning allow him to read plays effectively and make smart decisions with the puck. He has shown the ability to log significant ice time in all situations, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill units. His partnership with various teammates on the blue line has been crucial to his success at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Weegar has reached several significant milestones. His NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens in April 2017 marked his arrival at the top level. Scoring his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in October 2017 was another career highlight. His selection to the AHL All-Star Game in 2017 demonstrated his development into an elite minor league player.
MacKenzie Weegar Career Wins
Weegar’s career has featured steady progression through the minor leagues before establishing himself as an NHL regular. His most notable achievement came at the international level when he represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
International Highlights
Following the 2022–23 NHL season, Weegar accepted his first invitation to join Team Canada for the 2023 IIHF World Championship. In ten games, he recorded three goals and eight assists for 11 points. He led both Team Canada and all defencemen in the tournament in points, helping Canada win the gold medal. Weegar was named Best Defenceman of the event by the IIHF directorate and was also selected to the Media All-Star Team, marking his arrival as one of the top defencemen in international hockey.
Professional Achievements
At the professional level, Weegar has been recognized for his strong play in the AHL, including his selection to the AHL All-Star Game with the Springfield Thunderbirds. His consistent performance at the minor league level paved the way for his successful transition to full-time NHL duty.
MacKenzie Weegar Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Weegar comes from a hockey family. He is the first cousin of former NHL player and current broadcaster Craig Rivet. Weegar wears uniform number 52, the same number that Rivet wore during his NHL career, honoring his family connection to the sport.
Personal Life
Weegar married his fiancée Maggie Wallace on July 27, 2025. The couple had been in a relationship prior to their wedding, which took place during the 2025 offseason. Weegar maintains an active presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his personal life with fans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NHL season marked a significant year for Weegar with the Calgary Flames. Entering his third full season with the team, he continued to serve as an alternate captain and a key leader on the blue line. The Flames were in a transition period as the organization looked to build around its core players while integrating younger talent into the lineup.
Weegar’s experience and steady play remained valuable assets for the Flames throughout the season. His ability to log heavy minutes and contribute in all situations made him a reliable presence on the backend. Working alongside various defensive partners, he helped stabilize the teams defensive corps while providing veteran leadership during a rebuilding phase.
The outlook for Weegar and the Flames remained focused on continued development and building a competitive roster for future seasons. His professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to winning continued to set an example for younger players in the organization.