Andrew MacNiel overcomes hospitalization to win Memorial Cup

MONTREAL – From hospital bed to an Ontario Hockey League and Memorial Cup championship.

Meet Andrew MacNiel, Montreal’s sixth-round pick in 2025, who spent six days in the hospital battling a pair of respiratory infections during the first round of the OHL playoffs, all while rehabbing a knee injury that had already sidelined him for nearly two months.

Just weeks later, on April 17, the defenseman scored two goals in his return to the Kitchener Rangers lineup, and helped them capture both the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup, earning Canadian Hockey League supremacy in one of the most remarkable comeback stories of the season.

"There was a lot of character building this year, for sure. I didn’t have the easiest year when it came to my health with a couple of bad injuries," said the 18-year-old in an interview with the Canadiens content team. "I learned a lot about perseverance and pushing through times when you just want to fold up and maybe not give it your all. But you have to keep going no matter what. To be able to push through those difficult times and come out on top—it’s the best feeling in the world."

A hard-nosed, stay-at-home defenseman, MacNiel totaled two goals and seven points in 48 games in his second full season in the OHL, as part of a Rangers team that featured 12 NHL draft picks and went on a 20-2 run through the playoffs and Memorial Cup.

“It was amazing. We had a special group of guys,” the Cobourg, ON native explained. “From the start, we set our goals, and they were high. Adding a couple of pieces at the trade deadline and bringing in some experience really helped push our group to the next level. It was a special year that I’ll never forget with a group of brothers who came to the rink every day, worked hard, and had one goal in mind. To be able to accomplish what we did was so special.”

Off the ice, MacNiel’s influence extended beyond the rink. On February 5, the Rangers and the Canadiens prospect launched Andrew’s Ambition, a charitable initiative supporting childhood cancer research and families affected by the disease through the Grace Bowen Tribute Fund and the SickKids Foundation. The project reflects a cause that has remained close to his heart throughout his hockey journey.

“Anytime you can use your platform to raise money for a cause as important as childhood cancer, I really wanted to do that,” he said. “I had a friend in Cobourg, Grace Bowen, pass away when I was younger from childhood cancer, and I knew I wanted to step up and make a difference in my community and, hopefully, around the hockey world by raising awareness and funds for people going through difficult situations.

“My mom also suffered from cancer and, thankfully, she battled through and survived. Because of that, it means a lot to me to be able to give back and help raise money for such a powerful cause.”

For every shot MacNiel and teammate Carson Campbell (while MacNiel was out) blocked, MacNiel would donate $2. The Rangers matched his commitment by contributing $10 for every blocked shot. After 115 shots blocked, they reached a total donation of $1,380. Through an additional online fundraiser and the OHL Overtime Heroes program, the reported grand total on April 28 was $43,990.

For an organization that places a premium on character and culture, the Canadiens appear to have found exactly that in MacNiel.

MacNiel also spoke to canadiens.com about what it was like to be drafted by the Canadiens, who he models his game after and more below.

Please note some questions and answers were modified for clarity and conciseness.

What did it mean for you to be selected by such a historic franchise like the Canadiens, and where were you and what were you doing when you found out the news?

It was so special. Honestly, it felt like a surreal moment. I couldn’t believe it. I was actually at the cottage and when I got the call, there were just so many emotions flooding in. I was so honored to be picked by such a storied franchise, and it meant the world to me. I was out on the dock, kind of trying to stay away from the screens and just enjoy the weekend. I didn’t really know if I was going to get picked, so I was trying to keep my mind off it. I had my phone on me with the ringer on and was just waiting to hear something. Luckily, I got the call, and yeah, I was so happy.

You got to experience your first development camp and soon after that you played in front of a sold-out Bell Centre at the Prospect Showdown. What was that entire experience like?

It was so special to play in front of that many fans. They didn’t have to show up like that for a preseason game, and to have the support we had meant the world. Just being able to play in front of the best hockey arena in the world with the craziest fans for a couple of games was the experience of a lifetime. It gave me a taste of what it could be like to be a Montreal Canadien, and I think that makes you even hungrier.

You're a sixth-round pick. Naturally, your path to the NHL is probably a little harder than a first-round pick, but what about your game and your character makes you believe you have what it takes to stand out from the rest?

For me, I think it’s my toughness, my compete level and my battle. I know my role, and I’m a smart player. I play a simple, hard game, play physical and do every little detail right, whether it’s blocking shots, laying a hit, or even stepping up and fighting. I think that’s going to be my path to the Lleague: through true will and guts. Hard work is going to be my M.O. and what’s going to get me there.

Is there a specific defenseman or player that you model your game after?

I look up to Chris Tanev. As a Canucks fan growing up, seeing the way he moves out there, the way he defends, he’s always up in your face, and it’s really special how he can truly lock down other teams’ top lines. So, I want to play like him every night. Then you look at a guy like Arber Xhekaj on the Canadiens—how can you not want to play like him? His grittiness, his willingness to step up and do anything for his team is something I really admire, and I try to bring that to my game as much as possible.