The Utah Mammoth have signed forward Jack McBain to a five-year contract with an annual AAV of $4.25MM, per a team release.
The 25-year-old McBain appeared in all 82 games for Utah last year, scoring 13 goals and 27 points. Selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round (63rd overall) in the 2018 draft, McBain’s rights were traded to the then-Arizona Coyotes in 2022, and he has gone on to appear in 241 games for Arizona/Utah, producing 82 points.
The physical McBain posted 291 hits last season, just shy of his career-high of 304 during the 2022-23 season. The 6’4″, 220-pound center added 50 blocked shots and a career-high 49.8 success rate in the faceoff circle. Through parts of four NHL seasons, McBain currently averages 3.45 hits per game. His 832 hits since entering the league rank third among all players.
In the release, president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong noted McBain’s versatility and willingness to win at all costs as key factors in the deal. GM Bill Armstrong echoed those sentiments.
“He is a big, strong, physical player who competes hard on a nightly basis and brings a gritty toughness to our group. Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future,” Armstrong said.
Prior to being drafted, McBain spent four seasons at Boston College, where he produced 33 points in 24 games his senior year. McBain made the jump straight to the NHL after being traded to Arizona and has never appeared in an AHL game. On the international stage, the Ontario native represented Team Canada in the 2022 Olympics.
He’s a solid bottom six gem.
Arguably middle six, but finally a comment I can get behind.
Don’t encourage him.
Jack is just like his dad, who was a favorite of mine in his playing days. ‘Cept, his dad was a winger. He’s gonna work hard and help his team game in, game out. I’d love to have him anchoring the 3rd line in Philly.