Mackenzie Blackwood Bio
Mackenzie Blackwood is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 9, 1996, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, he was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Blackwood made his NHL debut in the 2018-19 season and has since established himself as a reliable starting goaltender in the league. Standing 193 centimeters tall and weighing 102 kilograms, he is recognized for his size, composure, and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
Throughout his career, Blackwood has suited up for the New Jersey Devils, the San Jose Sharks, and the Colorado Avalanche. He has also represented Canada at both junior and senior international tournaments, including the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where he earned a silver medal.
Early Life and Background
Mackenzie Blackwood was born on December 9, 1996, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. His father was involved with local ice hockey teams, while his mother, Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott, played basketball and track and field in her youth. She currently serves as the President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. His father was also a fan of the Colorado Avalanche and encouraged his son to cheer for the same franchise, a connection that would later shape Blackwood’s career path.
Blackwood began playing ice hockey at the age of nine, which is comparatively late by Canadian standards, and he temporarily quit the sport after only one year. When he was twelve, the goaltender on his youth hockey team was injured, and Blackwood volunteered to mind the net in his place. He quickly grew to enjoy the position and committed to becoming a full-time goaltender. He played in house leagues with the Volunteer Pool Bearcats and the Neebing Hawks before joining the Thunder Bay Kings of the Thunder Bay AAA Hockey League for the 2011-12 minor ice hockey season, where he won 15 games while posting a 3.08 goals-against average.
Path to Hockey
Following his performance in minor hockey, Blackwood was recruited for the Elmira Sugar Kings of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League to gain a year of development in a lower-tier junior league before he was drafted by a Junior A-level team. He was then selected in the fifth round of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection by the Barrie Colts. Originally a backup during his rookie 2013-14 season, Blackwood became the Colts’ starting goaltender early in the year. He earned his first OHL shutout on November 1, 2013, stopping all 31 shots from the Niagara IceDogs, and was later named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team after leading all OHL and CHL rookies with a 2.98 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage.
The following season, Blackwood was selected to the OHL All-Stars for the 2014 Subway Super Series and was also chosen to play in the 2015 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, though he was unavailable due to illness. He was ranked as the top North American goaltender by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 42nd overall.
Mackenzie Blackwood Career
Early Career (2015-2018)
On December 30, 2015, Blackwood signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils. He was assigned to the Adirondack Thunder, the Devils’ ECHL affiliate, on January 1, 2018, after spending time with the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate. During this developmental period, Blackwood continued to refine his game and prepare for the transition to the NHL level. He also represented Canada at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships as one of three goaltenders on the roster.
New Jersey Devils Era (2018-2023)
Blackwood began the 2018-19 season with the Binghamton Devils in the AHL before being recalled to New Jersey on December 17, 2018, after goaltender Cory Schneider was placed on injured reserve. He made his NHL debut the following night in a 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, replacing starter Keith Kinkaid in the third period. Three days later, he made his first NHL start against the Columbus Blue Jackets, stopping 36 of 38 shots in a 2-1 loss. On December 27, 2018, Blackwood earned his first NHL victory, a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins, making 40 saves on 42 shots, and he followed that with his first shutout two days later in a 2-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. He became the first Devils rookie goaltender to post back-to-back shutouts and the youngest Devils goaltender to record multiple regular-season shutouts, surpassing Martin Brodeur in the process.
On December 23, 2020, the Devils re-signed Blackwood to a three-year contract. He spent several seasons as a key part of the New Jersey goaltending corps, although injuries occasionally interrupted his progress. As a pending restricted free agent in 2023, Blackwood was traded to the San Jose Sharks for a 2023 sixth-round pick on June 27, 2023. Shortly afterward, on July 1, 2023, he signed a two-year deal with the Sharks.
San Jose Sharks Era (2023-2024)
Blackwood made his debut for the San Jose Sharks in the early stages of the 2023-24 season on October 14, 2023, in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche in which he made an impressive 51 saves. During his time in San Jose, he served as a workhorse for a rebuilding franchise, providing stability in net and giving the Sharks a chance to compete in several close games.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2024-Present)
On December 9, 2024, Blackwood was traded by the Sharks to the Colorado Avalanche, along with Givani Smith and a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2025 conditional fifth-round pick, and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. He made his Avalanche debut on December 14, 2024, registering 37 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators. After four outings with Colorado, Blackwood agreed to a five-year, $26.25 million contract extension to remain with the Avalanche through 2029 on December 27, 2024. He recorded his first shutout for the Avalanche in a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues on January 31, 2025, and finished the regular season with 22 wins, a .913 save percentage, a 2.33 goals-against average, and three shutouts in 37 appearances, joining Darcy Kuemper as the only goaltenders in franchise history to post at least 22 wins and three shutouts in their first 37 appearances with the team.
Making his NHL postseason debut on April 20, 2025, Blackwood posted a victory in Game 1 against divisional rivals the Dallas Stars and later recorded his first career playoff shutout, making 23 saves in a 4-0 Game 4 victory on April 27, 2025. He notched three wins and posted a 2.71 goals-against average in the series before the Avalanche were eliminated.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blackwood plays a calm, technically sound goaltending style built around his 193-centimeter frame and strong positional play. He is particularly effective against high-danger scoring chances and has shown the ability to handle heavy shot volumes, including a 51-save performance in his Sharks debut. His partnership with the Avalanche coaching staff has allowed him to focus on tracking the puck cleanly through screens, and his composure under pressure has made him a stabilizing presence in the crease.
Notable Events and Milestones
Blackwood became the first Devils rookie goaltender to record back-to-back shutouts in December 2018 and the youngest in franchise history to record multiple regular-season shutouts, surpassing Martin Brodeur. He also joined Darcy Kuemper as the only goaltenders in Avalanche history to post at least 22 wins and three shutouts in their first 37 appearances with the team during the 2024-25 season, and he earned a silver medal with Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.
Mackenzie Blackwood Career Wins
Across his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche, Blackwood has produced several notable victories. His first NHL win came on December 27, 2018, against the Boston Bruins, and he has since added milestones including a franchise-record-tying 22-win debut season with the Avalanche in 2024-25.
NHL Regular Season Highlights
Blackwood’s most consistent NHL stretch came during his early tenure with the New Jersey Devils in 2018-19, when he posted back-to-back shutouts and quickly became a fan favorite. More recently, with the Colorado Avalanche in 2024-25, he recorded 22 wins, a .913 save percentage, a 2.33 goals-against average, and three shutouts in 37 regular-season appearances, joining Darcy Kuemper in the franchise record books.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NHL, Blackwood has recorded key performances in junior and international competition. He led OHL rookies with 23 wins in 2013-14 and earned a silver medal with Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, appearing in relief during a 5-0 round-robin victory over Denmark.
Mackenzie Blackwood Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Blackwood was raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, by parents with strong athletic backgrounds. His mother, Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott, played basketball and track and field in her youth and currently serves as the President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. His father was involved with local ice hockey teams and was an avid fan of the Colorado Avalanche, a connection that came full circle when Blackwood was traded to that very franchise in 2024.
Personal Life
Blackwood continues to make his home in North America while playing in the NHL. He remains closely connected to his family in Thunder Bay and has spoken about the influence of his parents on his career path and his late introduction to the goaltender position.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 portion of the 2024-25 NHL season marked a turning point in Blackwood’s career after his midseason trade to the Colorado Avalanche. Joining a contender, he quickly established himself as the team’s number-one goaltender, posting a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators in his debut and recording his first Avalanche shutout on January 31, 2025, against the St. Louis Blues. His numbers down the stretch, including a .913 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average, gave the Avalanche a reliable presence in the crease heading into the postseason.
In the 2025 playoffs, Blackwood made his NHL postseason debut on April 20, 2025, helping the Avalanche take an early series lead over the Dallas Stars with a win in Game 1. He followed that up with a 23-save shutout in a 4-0 Game 4 victory on April 27, 2025, although the Avalanche were ultimately eliminated in the series.
Looking ahead, Blackwood’s outlook for the 2025-26 season is centered on returning to full health after off-season surgery to address a lower-body injury. He started the 2025-26 campaign on the sidelines, rehabbing before making his first start on November 1 against his former team, the San Jose Sharks, and earning his first win of the season eight days later in a 5-4 overtime decision over the Vancouver Canucks. With a five-year contract extension in place, he is expected to remain a central part of the Avalanche’s goaltending plans for years to come.