Nathan MacKinnon: A Superstar Keeping Fans Guessing with his Equipment Habits

Nathan MacKinnon, one of the NHL’s brightest stars for over a decade, is no stranger to the spotlight. Known for his electrifying speed, phenomenal shot, and elite playmaking abilities, the Colorado Avalanche center is also a fascinating figure when it comes to his choice of hockey equipment.

Traditionally, MacKinnon has been one of CCM's most loyal ambassadors, tracing back to the brand’s previous incarnation as Reebok. Whether it was using their sticks or donning their gloves, his commitment to CCM gear seemed as steady as his on-ice dominance. For years, there were only fleeting moments, mostly during practices, when MacKinnon strayed from this path.

But in October 2023, MacKinnon shocked the hockey equipment world by making a significant switch: he began using Bauer sticks in games. This shift was monumental, not only because of his stature in the hockey world but also because it marked a break from his steadfast loyalty to CCM.

As the 2023-24 season progressed, his experiments did not stop there. By March, MacKinnon added Bauer Vapor HyperLite gloves to his setup, completing the latter part of the season and playoffs with this new combo. The move fueled speculation among fans and equipment enthusiasts: Was MacKinnon in the process of a full transition to Bauer?

The answer wasn’t so clear-cut. When the 2024-25 season kicked off, MacKinnon’s equipment choices remained the same. While some predicted a full commitment to Bauer, MacKinnon stayed true to his unpredictable ways. He started the season with the same Bauer sticks and gloves he ended with in the Spring but threw in some surprises. Occasionally, he returned to CCM gloves and even played a few games with one of CCM's newest stick models, the JetSpeed FT7 Pro.

This back-and-forth has left fans and experts scratching their heads. It’s rare for a player of MacKinnon’s caliber not to have a definitive equipment sponsorship, particularly given the lucrative deals that often come with such arrangements. By keeping his options open, MacKinnon is seemingly leaving potential sponsorship dollars on the table—or perhaps he’s enjoying the freedom to explore the best gear without being tied to one brand.

For now, Nathan MacKinnon’s equipment saga is one of the most intriguing subplots of the NHL season. Will he settle on one brand, or will he continue to mix and match as the season unfolds? One thing is for certain: MacKinnon knows how to keep everyone guessing in multiple facets of his game.

With MacKinnon being one of the game’s most prominent faces, every choice he makes is amplified. For hockey equipment enthusiasts, his gear experiments have added an extra layer of excitement to watching one of the NHL’s most electrifying players. Keep an eye on Mack this season—not just for his highlight-reel goals but also for his ever-evolving equipment game.

Photo Credit: Icon Sportswire