Matthew MacKay named PRO DESIGN CRESTING rookie of the month for FEBRUARY/MARCH

Matthew MacKay (Grand Falls Rapids)

Grand Falls Rapids defenseman Matthew MacKay has been named Pro Design Cresting Rookie of the Month after posting two goals and eleven assists in 15 games to lead all rookies in scoring in the final month and a half of the 2018-19 regular season.

The 18-year-old from Sackville, N.B. found the scoresheet in eleven games in February/March, including a pair of multi-point efforts. MacKay posted two assists in a 7-4 win over Valley on February 15^th and then notched a goal and an assist in a thrilling 7-6 overtime win on home ice over Miramichi. The game against the Timberwolves kicked off a five-game point streak for the young blueliner, as MacKay record an assist in the next four games.

His efforts in the offensive zone are in addition to an important role for the Rapids defense, which wasn’t lost on officials around the MHL as MacKay was voted to the league’s Rookie All-Star team. Playing in all 50 games in 2018-19, MacKay finished fourth in rookie scoring with ten goals and 20 assists. He led all rookies in powerplay points with 13 and was tied with Miramichi’s Matthew Briggs with nine powerplay assists. Overall, MacKay finished tied for ninth in league scoring among defensemen.