Getting picked by an NHL team is a dream come true for every young hockey player. For Ethan Mackenzie, the 2026 NHL Draft was even more special after years of waiting for his chance.

The Toronto Maple Leafs selected the Peachland, B.C., native in the third round last month. His family gathered together to watch the moment, making it a memory they will never forget.

After going undrafted in 2024 and 2025, Mackenzie finally earned his opportunity through hard work and improvement. The Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman said the moment was more emotional than he expected.

“It was pretty emotional when you saw the name get called with all the grandparents and uncle and the family,” Mackenzie said in a interview. “It definitely made it a little more emotional than I expected and didn't expect myself to get kind of teary-eyed, but it definitely happened.”

Mackenzie used his draft disappointments as motivation and made the 2025-26 season a breakout year. His strong performance in the Western Hockey League helped him earn a place on Canada’s World Junior team.

“Going undrafted the last two years, I kind of wanted to prove every team wrong and prove that I can still play and be a big part and be able to contribute,” Mackenzie said.

Noted by Jeff McDonald of the Penticton Herald, the defenceman said competing against top junior players helped him learn what it takes to reach the next level.

“Now the work really starts and gets a lot harder, so I'm just excited to start that journey,” Mackenzie added.

Mackenzie’s journey from being overlooked in the draft to becoming a Maple Leafs prospect shows his hard work, improvement, and strong desire to reach the NHL.

Ethan Mackenzie joins North Dakota as Maple Leafs continue development path

In the same Penticton Herald report by Jeff McDonald, Mackenzie talked about his plans after getting drafted by Toronto. The young defenceman will join the University of North Dakota and play for the Fighting Hawks, one of the best NCAA Division I hockey teams.

Mackenzie said he took time to think about his options before choosing the next step in his career.

“They asked me to be a part of their organization, so I was pretty ecstatic about that. So I took a couple of days and talked to family and my agent, and I think it was the proper place for me,” he explained.

Before reaching this point, Mackenzie developed through West Kelowna’s hockey system and the RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna. He thanked coaches Justin Kelly, Glenn Carnegie, and others for helping his growth.

The report also mentioned Peachland’s Tova Henderson, whom the PWHL’s Minnesota Frost picked. Henderson is preparing for her professional chance while finishing her degree. Both players show Peachland’s growing hockey talent as they work toward success at the highest level.

What do you think? Can Ethan Mackenzie’s time at North Dakota help him become a future NHL defenceman for the Maple Leafs? Let us know in the comments. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Kapil Manghnani brings over 4.5 years of experience in sports journalism, covering a wide range of sports, including Soccer, NHL, Tennis, Gymnastics, NASCAR, Swimming, and more. He has written for leading sports platforms, producing everything from breaking news and features to in-depth analysis, opinion pieces, long-form stories, and short-form content. Beyond articles, he has also scripted long-form storytelling videos for YouTube channels. His work focuses on delivering well-researched, engaging, and reader-first sports content across multiple formats.

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Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi