Who is Connor Mackey? Flames sign highly-coveted undrafted blueliner

Sam Jarden

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Who is Connor Mackey? Flames sign highly-coveted undrafted blueliner image

Even though the NHL season is on pause, teams around the league are continuing to do business. 

The latest deal came through on Friday afternoon when the Calgary Flames announced the signing of undrafted free agent Connor Mackey to a one-year, entry-level deal that will start next season.

Standing at 6-2, the 23-year-old defenseman was one of the highest-rated undrafted free agents in hockey.

Here's all you need to know about the Flames' newest prospect. 

Where is Connor Mackey from? 

Mackey hails from Tower Lakes, Ill., and attended Barrington High School which is about an hour outside of Chicago. His father, David Mackey, played 126 games in the NHL for the Blackhawks, Blues and Minnesota North Stars. 

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Where has Connor Mackey played?

After captaining his high school team, Mackey played two seasons with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers before starting his NCAA career at Minnesota State University in 2017. He's been playing collegiately since then. 

What are Connor Mackey's strengths as a player?

The blueliner has been widely regarded for his contributions offensively, especially on the power play. In his second season in Green Bay, Mackey tallied 47 points in just 60 games — 34 of those with the man advantage. He's more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer, however, with just six goals to his 41 assists in 2016-17 when he was named the USHL's Defenseman of the Year. 

He's also been praised for his high hockey IQ and decision-making. This past season in Mankato he put up 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 36 games and was selected to the All-WCHA First Team.

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What's his connection to Calgary?

Mackey's father played 60 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers, so there exists a small family connection to Alberta, but according to Flames social media manager Torie Peterson he also attended a development camp in Calgary just a few years ago. 

Now, Mackey will get the chance to stake a claim for an NHL career as a part of the Flames' organization. 

Sam Jarden

Sam Jarden Photo

Sam Jarden joined Sporting News as an intern in 2020 and returned as a content producer in 2022. In between, he spent a year and a half at Turner Sports, managing the social media accounts for Bleacher Report, NBA on TNT, NBA TV and others. A proud UNC alumnus, he spends his free time following the Tar Heels, Buffalo Bills and Newcastle United FC, and has been known to occasionally hit the links.