Cole Harbour’s Nathan MacKinnon is off to his first Stanley Cup Final with the Colorado Avalanche.
It’s been nine years since the 26 year old was drafted first overall after leading the Halifax Mooseheads to their only Memorial Cup title.
MacKinnon’s former Peewee coach Jon Greenwood says he’s been a special player for a long time.
“We certainly saw some things that first year I coached him. His skill-set, but what set him apart was that drive and compete level, and he was only 11 years old. He’s kept improving, and I think he still is,” says Greenwood.
He remains good friends with MacKinnon, and says it would mean a lot to see him hoist the Stanley Cup.
Greenwood, who was behind the bench with the Mooseheads for seven seasons before joining the SMU Huskies coaching staff last year says MacKinnon in an elite class of Nova Scotian NHLers like Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand.
“What makes me proud, and to have my kids watching these guys as players, is that they’re highly skilled with competitive drive, and a world class work ethic. That’s great for kids around here especially to look up to.”
The Avalanche host the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 tomorrow night.
Greenwood says it will be a tough series against the two-time defending champion Lightning, but all of Cole Harbour will be rooting for him.
