The 20-year-old Stratford native already has more goals and points this season with the Gatineau Olympiques than he did a year ago with the Moncton Wildcats, despite having played 23 fewer games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“In Moncton, I was more of a versatile, utility player,” MacEwen said Wednesday. “Here, I’ve been given the opportunity, and put in situations, where I can put up points.”
Twice in the past three weeks, MacEwen has been named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s second star of the week.
“The team has been doing pretty good, and I’m having some success as well,” said the six-foot-four, 215-pound centre. “I’ve been putting in the work, so getting recognized for some success is a really good feeling.”
His play this season hasn’t gone unnoticed from NHL teams. MacEwen said he received some attention last season, but it has picked up in his final year of junior hockey.
“It’s definitely helping my odds for a chance to play pro after junior,” he said.
The 20-year-old Stratford native already has more goals and points this season with the Gatineau Olympiques than he did a year ago with the Moncton Wildcats, despite having played 23 fewer games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“In Moncton, I was more of a versatile, utility player,” MacEwen said Wednesday. “Here, I’ve been given the opportunity, and put in situations, where I can put up points.”
Twice in the past three weeks, MacEwen has been named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s second star of the week.
“The team has been doing pretty good, and I’m having some success as well,” said the six-foot-four, 215-pound centre. “I’ve been putting in the work, so getting recognized for some success is a really good feeling.”
His play this season hasn’t gone unnoticed from NHL teams. MacEwen said he received some attention last season, but it has picked up in his final year of junior hockey.
“It’s definitely helping my odds for a chance to play pro after junior,” he said.
MacEwen, who attended the Anaheim Ducks camp in 2016, said he allows his agent to handle that side of the sport while he concentrates on improving his game.
“You just have to play hockey. Everything will fall into place if it’s going to happen.”
MacEwen played minor hockey in Pownal before joining the Charlottetown Islanders for a season of major midget in 2012-13. After two seasons of junior A with the Amherst Ramblers, MacEwen played last season with the Wildcats.
He was traded to Gatineau a week before training camp.
“I was expecting something but really wasn't sure where,” he said. “They had a lot of 20-year-olds, and I kind of knew who they were going with.”
When he became available, Olympiques general manager Marcel Patenaude pounced. He saw MacEwen play while living in Halifax last season and saw growth potential in his game.
“We always hope, when we acquire a player, that they will blossom with your organization,” he said. “With Zack . . . he became a better and better and better player and now a lot of . . . teams are looking at signing him as a free agent.”
Patenaude said the assistant has been a good example of how hard work and commitment can pay off.
MacEwen is centering a line with former Charlottetown Islander Shawn Boudrias and former Saint John Sea Dog Daniel Del Paggio. The trio quickly developed chemistry.
“Since Shawn has got here, he’s been fitting in nicely with our lineup. He’s a big body that hits a lot (and has good) hands, so he can finish,” MacEwen said. “Dan has been in the league for years too, so we fit well together. He’s a good playmaker. He sees the ice well.”
Zack MacEwen
Who – a Stratford native who plays hockey for the Gatineau Olympiques in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Size, position – Six-foot-four, 215-pound centre.
Shining star – MacEwen has received the league’s second star of the week twice in the past three weeks. During the last week of December, he had three goals and four assists in three games while winning 64 per cent of his faceoffs. Last week, he scored three times and set up four more in two games.
Statistics (before Friday’s game)
Season GP G A Pts.
2014-15 9 1 1 2
2015-16 66 10 30 40
2016-16 43 21 25 46
GM Marcel Patenaude said – “He’s been a tremendous 20-year-old, not only on the ice, but also with his leadership.”
