2024 Draft Prospect Profile: Mac Swanson

Photo: Fargo Force

Mac Swanson is an 18-year-old left-handed left-winger. He was born on January 10, 2006, in Anchorage, AK, USA. Swanson spent the last season playing for the USHL team, the Fargo Force. He is projected to be drafted around #83 in this year’s draft.

Draft Projections
#83 by Inside The Rink

#96 by FC Hockey
#152 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)

Diving Deeper

Swanson accumulated 77 points over 55 games with the Fargo Force during the 2023-24 season (26 goals, 51 assists.) He helped lead his team to win the Anderson Cup, the Bronze Medal in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this year as well as being named the USHL’s forward of the year. He is a top-10 passer in this years draft and has a smart shooting game with a non-stop motor.

Hockey IQ

Swanson is among one of many players in this years draft that is capable of knowing a play before it happens. He moves into the right places at the right times and makes any pass necessary to turn a play into a goal. He often has a threatening shot and a habit of getting where he needs to be to take that shot.

“His ability to process the game as quickly as he does and get his hands to react just as quickly enables him to make plays at speeds that defenders aren’t always prepared to deal with,” a scout said. “He has great puck control and despite being a bit limited in close quarters due to his small stature, he finds ways to avoid situations like that by making plays before the defense closes him down.”

Ryan Sikes, The Hockey News

Areas for Improvement

Looking at Swanson, the biggest concern is going to be his size. At just 5’7″, his ability to keep up with the rigorous pace of the NHL could prove to be a challenge. However, it is doable. His list of pros and his clear ability to be a consistent playmaker should help him out in the draft.

Final Thoughts

While Swanson is on the smaller side, his playmaking abilities can make up for that. There is a chance that teams will be scared off due to that, however, if that happens he could easily become a North Dakota Fighting Hawk where he would be a top playmaker. At least until he can improve his transitional threat. He certainly has the potential to become a middle-six playmaker, given the right opportunity for development.

ITR 32: The Final Countdown Inside The Rink

Join Chris and Conrad as they discuss everything in the world of hockey, including the Washington Capitals making two significant contract signings and the NHL Salary Cap to keep rising. John Tortorella is out of Philly, Eastern & Western Conference Roundups & More.
  1. ITR 32: The Final Countdown
  2. ITR 31: Let Them Fight
  3. ITR 30: Down The Stretch
  4. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review
  5. ITR 28: Deadline Week

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Jayd Serdy

I grew up in Seattle mostly following baseball as a kid and more recently got into hockey. Since then it’s been my favorite thing, I love the community surrounding it, the people it’s brought into my life, the opportunities and of course the game itself. When I’m not watching hockey I spend a lot of time outside with my dog and following all kinds of other sports!

Leave a Reply

NHL Game Preview: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 4/2/2025

NHL Game Preview: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 4/2/2025

NHL Game Preview: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 4/2/2025

Read More
NHL Game Preview: Minnesota Wild at New York Rangers with Line Combinations 4/2/2025

NHL Game Preview: Minnesota Wild at New York Rangers with Line Combinations 4/2/2025

NHL Game Preview: Minnesota Wild at New York Rangers with Line Combinations 4/2/2025

Read More
Samoskevich scores on Montembeault

3 Takeaways From The Florida Panthers & Montreal Canadiens | 04/01/2025

Season series swept. The Cats fell 2-3 in overtime to the Montreal Canadiens and failed to win a single game against them this season. It looked like they had the win sewn up, but a last-second goal by Montreal tied the game to send it into OT, where Suzuki ended it with a wraparound goal. […]

Read More