His National Hockey League (NHL) debut at the age of 19 left a deep impression on Jared McCann. According to their own statements, the Vancouver Canucks threw it‘in the towel much too early and will certainly bite their fingers today.
The left winger arrived late at the Seattle Kraken. In the 2022/23 season he scored the peak of his career with 40 goals and 70 points. He believes his time with the Canucks, which earned him 24th overall in the 2014 draft, changed his development.
“It took me a year in the American League. It would have helped me mentally, physically too. I weighed 172 pounds and was playing in the NHL when I was 19. You get pushed around by big defenders,” McCann said on an episode of former player Luke Gazdic’s podcast this week.
Quiet and reserved, the Ontarian found solace in the Sedin twins, but on the ice he had few chances to assert himself. He finished his freshman season with just 18 points in 69 games.
That lack of confidence tested McCann, who was able to bounce back in Florida and Pittsburgh.
“I think they gave up on me too soon,” he said. It really touched me mentally. I’ve hit rock bottom. As a young player, you want to play in the NHL and have the opportunity to grow. Getting traded after a year was tough.”
“When I was in Vancouver when I was 18 or 19, I was just scared. I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes or talk because I was nervous,” admitted the one who was struggling to find his seat.
There is no doubt that McCann needs to be comfortable with the Seattle squad now. He has been his team’s top scorer for the past two years.