Brock McGinn Bio
Brock McGinn (born February 2, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted 47th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, McGinn has spent his career as a hard-working bottom-six forward known for his energy, penalty killing, and timely goals.
Standing 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) tall and weighing 85 kg (187 lb), McGinn has suited up for the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Anaheim Ducks since making his NHL debut in October 2015. Across nearly a decade of professional hockey, he has built a reputation as a reliable two-way winger who contributes in all situations.
Early Life and Background
Brock McGinn was born on February 2, 1994, in Fergus, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a hockey-driven family in rural Ontario, McGinn was introduced to the sport at a young age, following in the footsteps of his older brothers. The McGinn household revolved around the game, with regular road trips to rinks and ongoing discussions about skill development becoming part of daily life.
He completed his minor hockey eligibility with the Guelph Jr. Storm of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), a program recognized for producing competitive, well-rounded prospects. His steady progression through the junior ranks reflected the discipline that defined his upbringing, and it prepared him for the next step in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Path to Hockey
McGinn was selected by the Guelph Storm in the third round, 46th overall, of the OHL Priority Selection Draft. He played with the Storm from 2010–11 through 2013–14, gradually earning a larger role within the organization. By the start of the 2011–12 season, he had been named an alternate captain, a sign of the leadership qualities he would carry into his professional career.
In his final OHL season, McGinn posted career highs of 43 goals and 85 points, helping the Storm capture the 2014 J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions after defeating the North Bay Battalion. He scored the opening goal of the championship final and added five points in five games at the 2014 Memorial Cup tournament, where Guelph ultimately fell to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the final.
Brock McGinn Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Selected 47th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, McGinn signed a three-year entry-level contract on April 3, 2013. Following Guelph’s elimination from the OHL playoffs, he joined the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for the remainder of the 2012–13 season, marking his first taste of professional hockey.
His first full professional campaign came in 2014–15, when he tallied 15 goals and 27 points in 73 games for the Checkers. That same season, he received a one-game AHL suspension for a charging incident on March 3, 2015, an early reminder of the physical edge that would become part of his NHL identity.
Carolina Hurricanes Breakthrough (2015–2021)
McGinn opened the 2015–16 AHL season with two goals in two games for the Checkers, earning his first NHL recall. He made his NHL debut on October 16, 2015, against the Detroit Red Wings, and scored his first NHL goal on his very first shift, opening the scoring after just 55 seconds. The performance was the fastest debut goal by a Hurricanes player since the franchise’s arrival in Carolina and was later compared to Alexander Mogilny’s 20-second debut strike in 1989. He finished the season with four points across 21 games.
He became a regular for Carolina during the 2016–17 season, skating in 57 games and recording 16 points, before signing a two-year contract extension on June 28, 2017. His most productive offensive year came in 2017–18, when he posted 16 goals and 30 points in 80 games. The following season, McGinn played all 82 games, scoring 10 goals and 26 points, and was rewarded with a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension on July 20, 2019.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2023–Present)
After clearing waivers, McGinn was traded by the Penguins to the Anaheim Ducks on March 3, 2023, along with a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for defenseman Dmitry Kulikov. He made his Ducks debut on March 7, 2023, in a 5–2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, and scored his first Anaheim goal the next game, a 3–2 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on March 8. An upper-body injury suffered on April 6, 2023, against the Edmonton Oilers ended his season.
A lower-body injury during Anaheim’s 2023 training camp placed McGinn on injured reserve to start the 2023–24 season. He was activated and returned to the lineup on November 16, 2023, in an 8–2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He most recently appeared for the Ducks before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Driving Style and Strengths
McGinn is recognized as a high-energy, two-way winger whose value extends beyond the scoresheet. He is a trusted penalty killer, delivers consistent physical play, and provides secondary scoring. His willingness to block shots, win battles along the boards, and contribute in high-leverage moments has made him a coach’s favorite on checking lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of McGinn’s defining moments came in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals, when he scored the series-winning goal with 8:55 remaining in double overtime off an assist from Justin Williams. The victory marked the Hurricanes’ first playoff series win since 2009 and remains one of the most celebrated moments in recent Carolina postseason history.
Brock McGinn Career Wins
While McGinn is not primarily known as a goal-scorer, he has delivered several memorable victories throughout his career. His most notable individual achievement remains the double-overtime series winner against Washington in 2019, a goal that helped end one of the NHL’s longest active playoff droughts.
NHL Highlights
McGinn’s NHL resume includes a 16-goal, 30-point season with Carolina in 2017–18, his most productive offensive year. He also played all 82 games in 2018–19, demonstrating his durability, and contributed a memorable 55-second debut goal in 2015. His postseason resume is highlighted by the 2019 series-clinching tally against the Capitals.
Other Wins & Performances
At the junior level, McGinn helped the Guelph Storm win the 2014 J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions, scoring the opening goal of the final against the North Bay Battalion. He also represented the Storm at the 2014 Memorial Cup, posting five points in five games.
Brock McGinn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the McGinn family. Brock is the youngest of three brothers, all of whom have played professional hockey. His older brother Jamie (born 1988) was a 2006 second-round pick by the San Jose Sharks and most recently played for the Florida Panthers. His other brother, Tye (born 1990), was a 2010 fourth-round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers and most recently suited up for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Together with their father, Bob McGinn, the family owns the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
Personal Life
McGinn comes from a close-knit Canadian family that has supported his hockey journey from Fergus, Ontario, to the NHL. His brothers’ professional careers and their shared ownership of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs reflect a lifelong bond centered around the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 calendar year, Brock McGinn remains an unrestricted free agent after completing his contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Having last played during the 2023–24 NHL season, his most recent action came on November 16, 2023, against the Colorado Avalanche. His status as a free agent leaves the door open for a potential return to the NHL or a move to another professional league.
Throughout his career, McGinn has been valued for his energy, penalty killing, and postseason experience, including the 2019 series-clinching goal against Washington. Any team considering his services would be adding a veteran two-way winger capable of filling a bottom-six role and contributing on the power play or penalty kill.
As the 2025 season progresses, McGinn’s next steps will likely depend on his health and the interest of contending teams seeking depth and leadership. His track record of durability, highlighted by a full 82-game season in 2018–19, remains one of his strongest selling points as he evaluates his options.