The Kansas City Mavericks have re-signed 5’11” defenseman Marcus Crawford for the 2025-26 season.
Crawford’s Junior Career
Marcus Crawford started his junior career in the OJHL with the Whitby Fury. In his two seasons with the Fury, he played in 54 games, scoring eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points and 58 penalty minutes. In six playoff games, he scored one goal and three assists for four points and two penalty minutes. He was named to the OJHL Second Team All-Prospect in the 2013-14 season.
Crawford then jumped up to the OHL, where he spent the rest of his junior career playing with the Saginaw Spirit. Through four seasons with the Spirit, he played in 252 games, registering 23 goals and 126 assists for 149 points, with 174 penalty minutes and a -39. In 11 playoff games, he registered two assists with ten penalty minutes and a -19. Crawford was an alternate captain for the Spirit in the 2017-18 season.
Crawford’s Professional Career
After completing his junior career, Marcus Crawford signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins to start his professional career in the 2018-19 season. Crawford played in eight games where he had four penalty minutes and a -2 but did not register any points. Since then, Crawford has spent time with the Toledo Walleye and Orlando Solar Bears before joining the Kansas City Mavericks.
Mavericks and Overseas Experience
After three seasons with the Mavericks, Crawford went overseas for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, where he played for the Cardiff Devils. In 108 games with the Devils, he registered 13 goals and 99 assists for 112 points, 157 penalty minutes, and a +72. In eight playoff games with the Devils, Crawford had one assist, six penalty minutes, and a +3.
Crawford returned to the Mavericks for the 2024-25 season, continuing his steady presence on the blue line. Over five ECHL seasons, Crawford has appeared in 280 games, recording 39 goals, 135 assists, 174 points, and 334 penalty minutes with a +13 rating.
In four seasons with the Mavericks, he has played 211 games, scoring 35 goals and 110 assists for 145 points and 298 penalty minutes, finishing +18. Crawford has also appeared in 15 ECHL playoff games, where he contributed three goals, three assists, six points, and 16 penalty minutes with a +1.
During the 2024-25 season, he played in 68 games, scoring nine goals and 36 assists for 45 points, with 68 penalty minutes and a +20 rating. Crawford also served as an alternate captain for Kansas City during the 2024-25 season, adding leadership to his on-ice performance.
Impact and Outlook
Crawford is a great re-signing for the Mavericks. He has helped the Mavericks succeed in past seasons with both his offense and defense. Crawford can create many turnovers to help his team take the charge up the ice and set up his teammates to score. He also uses his speed when both forechecking and backchecking, and can get back quickly when needed. Crawford brings a lot of physicality and leadership to his game, laying hits when needed and never hesitating to drop the gloves to help his team gain momentum.
The 2025-26 season will be Crawford’s eighth professional season and fourth season with the Mavericks.
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