The Halifax Mooseheads will retire Nathan MacKinnon’s number 22 jersey when the Herd host the Charlottetown Islanders in the home opener at Scotiabank Centre on Friday, September 22nd.
Nate’s jersey retirement kicks off the 30th anniversary celebrations here in Moose Country and will celebrate the junior hockey career of our very own Cole Harbour native who captured a QMJHL President Cup and Memorial Cup Championship with Halifax in 2013.
Nathan says: “It’s a true honour to have my jersey retired by the Mooseheads. I can’t wait to share this moment with everyone back home in Moose Country.”
(Above: Ian getting set to introduce Nathan MacKinnon at the 2019 Memorial Cup.)
(Above: Ian to the left introducing Nate to THUNDEROUS Moose Country applause at the May 2019 Memorial Cup hosted by your Halifax Mooseheads.)
Nate wore # 22 to honour his families former billet player Freddy Cabana who lived with the MacKinnon Family when Freddy played here between 2002 and 2006 years ago wearing # 22.
(Above: Nathan MacKinnon doing the Ceremonial Mooseheads Alumni Puck Drop at the 2019 Memorial Cup.)
Nathan just turned 28-years-old on September 1st, and has played in more than 700 games over 11 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, highlighted by a Stanley Cup title in 2022.
(Above: Ian and Nathan at the Jordan Boyd Celebrity Hockey Tournament in Bedford a few years back.)
Nate will become the fourth player to have his jersey retired by the Mooseheads, following # 47 Jean-Sebastien Giguere, # 18 Alex Tanguay and # 25 Jody Shelley.
The team also honoured the legacy of longtime public address announcer and my mentor who I took over for at ice level in 2009, the late Pat Connolly, upon his retirement in 2009.
(Above: The late Pat Connolly, the legendary Halifax Mooseheads Public Address Announcer and Ian on September 18, 2009 on Pat Connolly Night when he retired.)
Two weeks from tonight will be one to remember in Moose Country and I cannot wait to announce Nathan’s # 22 jersey retirement!
-Ian (Halifax Mooseheads Public Address Announcer since 1997.)
(Credits: Ian Robinson Photos and @HFXMooseheads)
