The Halifax Mooseheads will retire former star forward Nathan MacKinnon’s number 22 jersey.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, September 22nd, during the home opener against the Charlottetown Islanders at the Scotiabank Centre.

The jersey retirement will kick off the franchise’s 30th-anniversary celebrations and celebrate the junior hockey career of Cole Harbour’s MacKinnon who captured a Memorial Cup Championship with Halifax in 2013.

“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,” expressed MacKinnon.

The 28-year-old MacKinnon has since played in over 700 games across 11 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, with a notable highlight being a Stanley Cup title in 2022.

MacKinnon will be the fourth player to have his jersey retired by the Mooseheads, joining the ranks of Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Alex Tanguay, and Jody Shelley. The team also honoured the legacy of longtime public address announcer Pat Connolly upon his retirement in 2009.

“Retiring number 22 at the Home Opener is the perfect way to begin our 30th-anniversary season,” said Brian Urquhart, Mooseheads President. “Nate grew up idolizing the Mooseheads, starred for the team, led us to a Memorial Cup, and now he’s one of the best players in the world. It will be a very special night for Nathan, his family, and all Mooseheads fans.”

MacKinnon became the first member of the Mooseheads to be drafted number one overall in the NHL when the Colorado Avalanche selected him in 2013.

“Watching Nathan’s career take off after joining the Mooseheads and now becoming a Stanley Cup Champion has been incredible to witness. We are so proud to share this night with him and his family,” said Mooseheads General Manager, Cam Russell.

The 30th-anniversary season will also feature a special anniversary jersey unveiled later this fall.