Generals’ Grad Brett MacLean Scores in NHL Debut

Former Oshawa Generals star Brett MacLean got a late Christmas present yesterday when he got the call that he was being called up to the Phoenix Coyotes and that he would make his NHL debut the same night against the Los Angeles Kings.

MacLean didn’t have time to celebrate his call up.  He quickly travelled from San Antonio to Phoenix, missing the morning skate but making it just a few hours before game time.

He showed no nerves by scoring his first NHL goal in his first NHL game on his first shot.  The goal was scored on the powerplay and went on to be the game winner as the Coyotes defeated the Kings 6-3.

“It’s a great feeling to get that off your back early,” said MacLean after the game.  “I didn’t really have any time to get nervous.  I was just trying to focus on being ready to play.”

The 6-foot-1, 200 pound MacLean has played 32 games with the Coyotes primary affiliate the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage this season collecting 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. MacLean leads the Rampage in goals and points and ranks tied for second in assists with 17.

MacLean spent parts of three seasons with the Generals where he scored an impressive 122 goals and 138 assists for 260 points in 166 career games, which puts him 14th on the Generals all-time point scoring list.

The former two-time OHL All Star was selected in the 2nd round (32nd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Coyotes.

To see Brett MacLean’s first goal on the National Hockey League’s website click here.