The timing of playing in his 500th career game couldn’t have come at a better moment for MacKenzie Weegar as the Flames welcome his former team, the Florida Panthers for a Hockey Night in Canada matchup at the ‘Dome.
Milestone alert for #Flames D MacKenzie Weegar. He skates tonight in his 500th NHL game.
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) December 14, 2024
“All these milestones mean something, for sure. It’s weird how it works out and it’s 500 against the old team. I think you just reflect on your career. Five hundred, who would have thought?”
The defender from Ottawa has now played in 194 games with the Flaming C on his chest, scoring 28 times and contributing 99 points as a member of the Flames. To date, he has scored 55 goals and recorded a total of 220 points in 499 NHL games.
To celebrate this milestone, let’s reflect on some key moments in his career he saw on his path to 500 NHL games.
Junior Hockey Champion
In the 2011–12 season, Weegar played 53 games with the Nepean Raiders in the Central Canada Junior Hockey League, scoring 13 goals and 37 assists. He helped the Raiders win the CCHL Championship and was named Rookie of the Year. The team recently honoured Weegar by retiring his jersey.
Weegar then joined the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, playing alongside future NHL stars Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin. He contributed to the Mooseheads’ QMJHL championship win, along with a Memorial Cup victory. After a successful season, Weegar was drafted 206th overall by the Florida Panthers. The defender would play one more junior season before making his pro debut in the AHL.
Breaking into the NHL with the Florida Panthers
After spending three seasons in the Panthers system, Weegar made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers on April 3, 2017. He played in three games that season before heading back to the AHL. The following season, he made the team out of training camp, and on October 20, 2017, he scored his first NHL goal in his first game of that season. Weergar appeared in 306 games and 20 playoff games with the Florida Panthers before being traded to the Flames.
Team Canada
Weegar represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, where he won a gold medal and was named the best defenseman. He led all defencemen in the tournament in points and played a key role in anchoring Team Canada’s defensive unit.
Throughout this season, there were many discussions about the possibility of him representing Canada again. Unfortunately many Flames fans, myself included, believed he was overlooked by Team Canada for the Four Nations Faceoff.
Blockbuster Trade and Time in Calgary
On July 22, 2022, a significant trade saw him move to the Calgary Flames. In the blockbuster deal, the Flames acquired Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and Cole Schwindt, and a conditional first-round pick in 2025, while sending Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2025 to the Florida Panthers. Weegar experienced a slight dip in production during his first season with the Flames, scoring four goals and providing 27 assists.
However, he made a significant comeback in his second season. In the 2023–24 NHL season, he delivered an impressive performance, recording 20 goals and achieving a career-high in points with 52 ranking him fourth in team scoring.
The house that Weegs built 🫡#Flames | @cgyscotiaplace pic.twitter.com/KVxbw5SBMG
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 14, 2024
Weegsy has become a fan favourite in Calgary, not only for his performance on the ice but also for his relaxed attitude and the positive energy he brings to the team. Known for his iconic phrase, “The vibes are immaculate,” he is also a huge supporter of the upcoming Scotia Place and wants to remain a Flame for the foreseeable future.
