Mackenzie Blackwood

BIOGRAPHY

Mackenzie Blackwood was born December 9, 1996 in Yhunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He is a goaltender in the National Hockey League.

Blackwood was the top-rated North American goaltender ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final rankings for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected by the Devils in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. On December 30, 2015, Blackwood signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils, who had drafted him in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. After playing for the Devils' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Blackwood was assigned to the Adirondack Thunder, the Devils' ECHL affiliate, on January 1, 2018. Blackwood began the 2018–19 season with the Devils' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils. He was recalled to New Jersey on December 17, and made his NHL debut the following night. On December 20, Blackwood made his first NHL start against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and although the Devils lost 2–1, Blackwood had an impressive performance, saving 36 of 38 shots. On December 27, Blackwood recorded his first NHL win, a 5–2 victory over the Boston Bruins, with another strong performance, making 40 saves on 42 shots. In only his third NHL start, Blackwood recorded 37 saves to earn his first shutout in a 2–0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on December 29. Blackwood was named a Star of the Week following this performance. Following another shutout victory on December 31 against the Vancouver Canucks, Blackwood became the first Devils rookie goaltender to post back-to-back shutouts. He also became the youngest Devils goaltender to record multiple regular season shutouts, surpassing Martin Brodeur. On January 3, 2019, Blackwood was named to the North Division roster for the 2019 American Hockey League All-Star Classic. On January 10, Blackwood was placed on injured reserve by the Devils due to a lower body injury he suffered on January 2. He returned to the Devils lineup and played his first game since January 4 in a 3–2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on January 12. On December 23, 2020, the Devils re-signed Blackwood to a three-year contract.

As a pending restricted free agent with the Devils at the conclusion of his three-year contract, Blackwood was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick on June 27, 2023. On July 1, 2023, he signed a two-year deal with the Sharks. His debut came on October 14, in a 2–1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche, in which he made 51 saves.