Mackey makes NHL debut

Time for the hot lap ... Connor Mackey will make his NHL debut in Vancouver! pic.twitter.com/bi23OvxjSh

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) February 14, 2021

Former Minnesota State defenseman Connor Mackey made his Calgary Flames debut on Saturday night, becoming the 15th MSU alum to play in the NHL. 

Here's a nice story about Mackey's family, including his former NHLer dad, Dave, watching the game.

The Flames lost to the Vancouver Canucks 3-1.

Mackey, who was part of the Flames' taxi squad, got 13:56 of ice time and was minus-1. 

Mackey signed with Calgary last spring, following three seasons at MSU. He was a second-team All-American and first-team All-WCHA last season. He finished his career with 18 goals and 61 points in 118 games.

Mackey is one of four former Mavs to play in the NHL this year, along with David Backes (Anaheim), Teddy Blueger (Pittsburgh) and Tyler Pitlick (Arizona). 

Staying on the subject of former MSU defensemen, Casey Nelson announced his retirement from hockey a month ago, something I found out while looking up Mavericks alumni as part of this post. Nelson, who played for the Mavericks from 2013-16, played in 93 games for the Buffalo Sabres. He played in a career-high 38 NHL games in 2018-19 but spent all of last season in the AHL. In his Instagram post, Nelson thanked family, friends, coaches, teammates, with a little extra praise for his brother Josh, another former MSU player who is currently coaching in the USHL.