North Potomac native Quinn McKenzie is one step closer to realizing his NHL dream after being selected by the New Jersey Devils with the 222nd overall pick (30th pick of the seventh round) in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
While he was born in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, McKenzie spent much of his childhood in North Potomac, where he grew up playing both hockey and lacrosse before ultimately choosing to focus on hockey. In an interview with The Sault Star, McKenzie recalled that the decision happened naturally.“It really wasn’t a decision. My love for hockey took over what I had for lacrosse. I would never struggle going to hockey practice. Sometimes it was a little harder for me to get up to practice lacrosse.”
McKenzie left Maryland during his early high school years to pursue elite youth hockey with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program before continuing his development at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota. The nationally renowned boarding school has produced dozens of NHL players, including Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Nathan MacKinnon and Zach Parise. McKenzie totaled 93 points (26 goals, 67 assists) in 58 games for Shattuck-St. Mary’s 18U Prep during the 2024-25 season.
McKenzie was one of four players from the Soo Greyhounds selected in this year’s draft following a breakout season in the Ontario Hockey League. After signing with the Greyhounds as a free agent in September 2025, McKenzie quickly became one of the team’s top offensive contributors. He finished the regular season as the club’s third-leading scorer, recording 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 65 games. He added five goals and two assists in 10 playoff games and was named the recipient of the Dr. Billy Kelly Award as the team’s Most Gentlemanly Player.
McKenzie was also recognized as a “W” rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch list ahead of the draft. Now, after years of development and dedication, the former North Potomac youth hockey player has reached another major milestone by hearing his name called in the NHL Draft, becoming the newest prospect in the New Jersey Devils organization.
