Nathan MacKinnon - Starting From the Bottom [1/2]

[bagelbitesisbae 71]

 

 

 

I: Early Life 

Nathan MacKinnon was born on September 1st, 1990, in Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada, the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. He has a sister named Sarah MacKinnon who he is very close with. His parents are Kathy MacKinnon and Graham MacKinnon. He and his family lived in a medium-sized cape cod style home. Nathan's parents were really hard on him and Sarah about becoming successful human beings. His dad, Graham, would focus on nagging Nathan the most because he saw athletic potential in him. His dad finally decided that Nathan should start preparing to join a youth hockey club. He didn't go on a youth hockey team right away because Nathan was inexperienced in all the aspects of hockey. His dad, Graham, put him in a 6 week skating lessons program at the local hockey rink. Nathan was really focused on improving his skating at every lesson he attended. His dad was a mechanic so he couldn't attend and watch his practices. His mom was a stay-at-home mom so she could occasionally go to his skating lessons and watch to see how he progresses. His mom and dad would talk one on one with him after each practice he attended. Nathan would tell them that he feels like he's about ready to try out for a youth hockey club. After the program ended, his parents found a youth hockey club that was hosting a tryout for his age group (8-9 year olds). So next Saturday, Nathan, his dad, and mom went to the tryout. Nathan went onto the ice and listened to the person who was running the tryout. The coach instructed the kids to do several drills to see which one gets a spot on the team. Nathan looked great at the tryout. After the tryout ended, the coach talked with each individual guardian. When the coach talked about Nathan to his parents, the coach said that Nathan will become a superstar one day and that he made the team. Nathan and his parents were all ecstatic about him getting a spot on the team. When him and his parents got home, Nathan immediately told his sister that he had made the team. His sister was significantly younger (5 years younger than him and Nathan was 8) so she didn't fully understand what he was talking about. The next day, Nathan went to his first practice with his new team who were the Halifax Golden Bears. He was anxious at first, but when he stepped onto the ice, his face brightened and you could tell that he was ready for any challenge he faced. After a few practices, he got significantly better and his first game was right around the corner. His team was playing against the Quebec Lightning Ducks who were a very good team. He talked to his dad, Graham, about how nervous he was. His dad told him that he'd do just fine and would be proud of whatever he did. The first period began, the score was 0 - 0 after the end of the 1st period. In the second period, and with no surprise, Nathan scored the 1st goal of the whole game. His dad and mom were ecstatic that he scored his first goal in his first game. He gave his teammates high fives when he went by the bench. His coach told him that he will be a star one day when he got back to the bench after his spectacular goal. The second period ended and it was 1 - 0 his team thanks to Nathan's goal. The third period began, and you probably already know what happened, Nathan scored two more goals to give himself a hat trick in his first game! Nathan's first game ended. He ran over to his parents and celebrated with them. His dad asked if he wanted to go to McDonald's to celebrate his hat trick. Nathan obviously said yes so they went to McDonald's to enjoy a fresh hamburger. His parents went on and on about how much potential he as an ice hockey player. The season went by quickly for Nathan. His point total was out of this world at 110 points (Assists 71, Goals 38) . 

 

II: School Life

 

It wasn't all easy for Nathan to balance school and ice hockey. Nathan already had special perks that allowed him to play with people who were a bit older than him and that really stressed him out already. His parents were concerned that he'd fall behind academically so his parents got together to come up with a plan that would benefit Nathan. His parents were researching and researching different options, from homeschooling to boarding schools. His parents finally came up with a decision to send Nathan to Shattuck-St. Mary's because they had a good hockey program that had already sent players to the top NCAA Ice Hockey schools. Nathan was hesitant at first that this wasn't a good option, but Nathan did some research himself about the school. He saw that his favorite player, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche attended that school. He turned his frown upside down, and became excited about the opportunity to play in such a great hockey program. When the school year came around for Nathan, he packed his bags and moved into his dormitory. He hugged his mom, dad, and sister and they said their farewells. Nathan had to go meet his school advisor to discuss coursework. He got to his advisor's office and Nathan started talking about his strengths and weaknesses. They finally came to an agreement and put Nathan in all honors classes to supplement his desire to learn. After he talked to his advisor, he went downstairs to meet his ice hockey coach to discuss what line he will be playing on and et cetera. His coach told him that he would be getting a chance to play on the second line with two talented wingers. Nathan was obviously excited to impress on the second line. The first practice came around and he was really impressing the coaching staff out on the ice. His coach came towards Nathan and told him that he might actually get to play on the first line. Nathan was ecstatic and grateful for the opportunity his coach gave him. The first game came around and MacK was easily the best player on his team. He scored 2 goals and an assist in his first game for SSM. The two years went by at Shattuck-St Mary's School and firstly, he was doing really well academically. Secondly, he was leading his team with 120 points. He graduated from SSM and got ready for the QMJHL entry draft. 

 

 

 

III: The QMJHL (Halifax Mooseheads) 

 

After his graduation ceremony, he ate dinner with his parents and told his parents his plan. Nathan really wanted to go to the QMJHL draft and get drafted. His parents were already so proud of him and happily agreed to let Nathan take over his hockey career and let him decide what he wants to do. The draft came right around the corner and Nathan was excited to see where he would get drafted. He walked into the building where the draft was held and took a seat with his parents and sister. They were all anxiously waiting for the draft to begin. The announcer came out and announced that the Halifax Mooseheads were on the clock. Nathan was projected to go first overall in the QMJHL draft. A minute went past and the Halifax Mooseheads management team walked up onto the stage to announce their pick. Their exact words were, "we are proud to select Nathan MacKinnon from the Shattuck-St Mary's ice hockey club." Nathan hugged his parents and sister and walked up onto the stage. Nathan briefly said hello to the management team and took a picture with them. After taking pictures, he went to go sit down to talk with the press about him being the 1st overall pick. Nathan talked to the press about how excited he was to be apart of such a great organization and that he can't wait to begin the season with them. 

 

After the whole entire draft, he went home with his parents with an enthusiastic expression that he was ready to get started with the Mooseheads. His entire family was very proud of him and were excited to see him progress even more. The first Halifax Mooseheads practice came right around the corner and Nathan was ready to put on a show. He and the coach of the Mooseheads talked about how he would play on the first line. The first game came around and Nathan was just beyond excited. He stepped onto the ice and made his parents and sister proud. Nathan scored two goals for his team in his first game because he was so talented. The two seasons in the QMJHL went by and he had compiled a point total of an impressive 220 points. He didn't win any individual awards while he was in the QMJHL, but he did win the Memorial Cup with his team which was a huge accomplishment for him. 

IV: Choosing the VHLM Over the NHL

 

Nathan MacKinnon had a tough choice of either choosing to play in the VHLM or the NHL. He was in his room and started researching which would be better for him, personally. He was thinking to himself, the VHLM is compiled of just very talented players versus the NHL which has a mix of both. Nathan ran out of his room to go talk to his parents about his options. He told them about how the VHLM isn't as widely known as the NHL, but has seriously talented players in all aspects of the game. His dad, Graham, was hesitant at first about the VHLM, but he wanted Nathan to make the choice himself. Nathan was very enthusiastic about the VHLM so he decided to go into the VHLM draft with his head held high. He, his parents, and sister sat at their computers waiting for the draft to start. The VHLM draft was different, obviously. Instead of going to an auditorium, you watched teams pick up players through an online program. Nathan knew that there were similarily talented players like him so he knew he wouldn't be drafted first. He and his parents kept waiting, hoping that he'd be drafted into the VHLM because Nathan decided to decline an NHL draft invite. It finally came to the time when he'd be drafted. He got drafted by the Halifax 21st which was highly ironic because he played all of his amateur hockey in Halifax, his hometown. Nathan and his whole family were very happy for him and wished him the best. Nathan is now very excited to get started with the Halifax 21st!

 

[ShawnGlade 1,010]

Wow! This was great!

[DrHexDex 68]

Long bio that goes over the word count. Very well written and thought out.

 

Well done