Jared McCann Bio
Jared McCann (born May 31, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, 24th overall, at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, McCann has built his career as a reliable middle-six forward with strong scoring instincts. Across his NHL journey, he has represented the Canucks, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken, establishing himself as a dependable two-way contributor at the top level of professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Jared McCann was born on May 31, 1996, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, to Erin and Matt McCann, who own a construction company. He grew up with two older siblings, Justin and Jaimie, along with an older half-brother named Jordan. Justin was adopted from Guatemala, a decision shaped by his mother’s experience with multiple sclerosis. The cold winters in Stratford shaped McCann’s early years, and he spent much of his childhood playing ice hockey outdoors on frozen ponds, where his love for the sport first took hold.
McCann’s favorite NHL team while growing up was the Los Angeles Kings, a preference he explained by saying he liked the team’s colors and name. He played minor hockey with the London Jr. Knights of Alliance Hockey before joining the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League at the end of the 2011–12 season. His performance at that level earned him Alliance Hockey’s Player of the Year award, signaling his potential as a future professional.
Path to Hockey
McCann’s rise through the junior ranks accelerated on April 7, 2012, when the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League selected him fourth overall in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. In his first full OHL season of 2012–13, McCann recorded 21 goals and 23 assists in 64 games. He and teammate Sergey Tolchinsky shared the Greyhounds’ Rookie of the Year Award, and McCann was also named to the OHL’s Second All-Rookie Team. During that year’s playoffs, a dangerous hit resulted in a concussion and severe whiplash that kept him out for an extended period.
McCann continued his development with a strong 2013–14 season, finishing with 27 goals and 35 assists for 62 points in 62 games, all OHL career highs at that point. He was also selected to play in the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where he scored the game-winning goal to lead Team Orr over Team Cherry. Ranked 10th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, he entered the 2014 NHL Entry Draft as a highly regarded prospect. The Vancouver Canucks selected him 24th overall, and he signed a three-year entry-level contract on July 24, 2014.
Jared McCann Career
Junior Career and Draft Years (2012–2015)
McCann spent three seasons with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, steadily increasing his production each year. After his rookie campaign of 21 goals and 23 assists, he followed up with a 62-point regular season in 2013–14, then elevated his game again during the 2014–15 season with 34 goals and 47 assists in 56 games. In the 2015 OHL playoffs, he added six goals and 10 assists through 14 games, showcasing the offensive upside that had caught the attention of NHL scouts.
On the international stage, McCann represented Canada at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where he won a gold medal. He also participated in the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge as a member of Team Ontario, further building his resume as a top prospect. These experiences helped prepare him for the transition to professional hockey with the Vancouver Canucks organization.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2015–2016)
Following an impressive training camp, McCann was named to the Canucks’ opening-night roster on October 5, 2015. He made his NHL debut on October 7, 2015, against the Calgary Flames, and scored his first NHL goal three days later against goaltender Jonas Hiller in a 3–2 overtime loss. Alternate captain Daniel Sedin praised the shot as world-class. McCann recorded his first NHL assist on November 4, 2015, setting up Jannik Hansen in a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
On November 1, 2015, the Canucks announced that McCann and fellow rookie Jake Virtanen would remain with the team beyond their nine-game tryout period. His time in Vancouver came to an end on May 25, 2016, when he was traded, along with a second- and fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, to the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenceman Erik Gudbranson. The Canucks sought a physical presence on the blue line, while the Panthers believed McCann’s skill fit their possession-based system.
Florida Panthers Era (2016–2019)
McCann opened the 2017–18 season strongly with the Panthers, recording two goals and five points in his first seven games while playing a bottom-six role. On October 25, 2017, he was placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury suffered earlier in the month against the Washington Capitals. He returned to action on November 4 in a 5–4 loss to the New York Rangers. His tenure in Florida lasted until February 1, 2019, when he was traded, along with Nick Bjugstad, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, and draft picks.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2019–2021)
The Penguins acquired McCann with the hope that he would serve as an upgrade over Brassard as a third-line center. On September 18, 2020, he signed a two-year, $5.88 million contract extension to remain in Pittsburgh. His Penguins stint ended on July 17, 2021, when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Filip Hallander and a seventh-round pick. The deal was designed in part to make McCann available for selection by the incoming Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021–Present)
McCann was selected by the Seattle Kraken from the Maple Leafs at the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft on July 21, 2021. He joined a new franchise and changed his jersey number to 16, deferring to Calle Jarnkrok. During the preseason, McCann centered the Kraken’s top line between Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle. After dealing with COVID-19 protocols early in the season, he scored the second goal in Kraken franchise history against the Vegas Golden Knights on opening night, October 12, 2021.
McCann quickly emerged as one of Seattle’s most productive forwards, tallying 12 goals and five assists by the end of December 2021. He reached career highs in goals per 60 minutes and ranked near the top of the team’s scoring charts. After linemate Jaden Schwartz underwent hand surgery, McCann continued to produce, eventually overtaking Eberle for the team lead in goals. On March 8, 2022, he became the first player in franchise history to sign a contract extension, agreeing to a five-year deal with an average annual value of $5 million. Despite the Kraken missing the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, McCann finished with a career-best 27 goals and 23 assists for 50 points.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCann plays a skilled, offensive-minded game with the versatility to play both center and wing. His strengths include a quick, accurate shot, strong skating ability, and the intelligence to create scoring chances in tight spaces. He is effective on the power play and has shown the ability to drive play at even strength, posting high goals-per-60-minute rates throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among McCann’s signature moments is scoring the second goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history. He also became the first player in Kraken history to sign a contract extension with the club. Internationally, he won a gold medal with Canada at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and later earned a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, returning to represent Canada again at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.
Jared McCann Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jared McCann was raised in Stratford, Ontario, by his parents, Matt and Erin McCann, who own a construction company. He has two older siblings, Justin and Jaimie, and an older half-brother named Jordan. Justin was adopted from Guatemala amid concerns that another pregnancy could worsen Erin’s multiple sclerosis, a family detail that shaped McCann’s upbringing.
Personal Life
McCann keeps much of his personal life private. He is known to have grown up in a close-knit family in Stratford, Ontario, where outdoor hockey on frozen ponds sparked his lifelong passion for the sport. He has continued to build his career in the NHL while maintaining ties to his Canadian roots.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NHL season, Jared McCann remains a central part of the Seattle Kraken’s forward group under his five-year contract signed in March 2022. After a career-best 50-point season in 2021–22, he has continued to be relied upon as a top-six contributor and a key piece of the team’s offensive identity. His consistency in generating scoring chances and his chemistry with linemates have made him a foundational player for the Kraken franchise.
McCann’s established role with Seattle gives the Kraken a veteran scoring presence as they continue to develop around their core. With a contract running through 2026, his long-term commitment signals the organization’s confidence in his abilities. His blend of speed, shot quality, and two-way responsibility positions him well to remain a difference-maker for Seattle.