MacKinnon tied for the lead in goals during the playoffs last year with 13 and had 24 points to help the Avalanche win the Cup for the first time since 2001.
One of his childhood friends said despite all of his individual success, MacKinnon's drive made him even more hungry after losing in the second round each of the past three seasons before winning the Cup.
"That's kind of what Nate is all about," said Cole Murphy, who has known MacKinnon since they played Timbits together at 5 years old. "He is a great player individually but the only thing he really cared about was the Cup. I know even last summer and the last few summers, having that stain on losing out when they maybe shouldn't have, I think that really motivated him, added another chip on his shoulder. He's an ultra-competitive guy, I'd be lying if I said I didn't believe he would do it one day but I'm really happy he was able to accomplish it.
Murphy said it was only fitting MacKinnon got to bring the Cup back home like his friend Crosby.
"For us growing up, and for Nathan as well, kind of looking up and seeing Sid just kind of right in our backyard, being the best player in the world, it kind of makes it more of a reality knowing someone from here did it," Murphy said. "I think Nathan tried to model how he conducted himself and how he worked after Sid and obviously it's paid off."
After talking to the crowd at the parade, MacKinnon and his family went inside City Hall. While in there, Mayor Savage grabbed jerseys from kids waiting outside and had MacKinnon sign them, before returning, and later handed some lucky kids signed posters of MacKinnon in his Avalanche and Halifax jerseys.
"It was awesome then to win it but even now it's a little cooler when you get to come down from the high a little bit and really enjoy it again," said MacKinnon, who was also scheduled to visit a local hospital before concluding his day with a party with family and friends. "The whole thing is really special."
Emily Thexton and Connor Adams got to Parade Square four hours early to make sure they'd be able to see MacKinnon up close. Thexton wore a MacKinnon Avalanche jersey and Adams a MacKinnon Halifax sweater.
"I think it's really special that he had his day in Halifax because he played on the junior team," Thexton said. "I think that means a lot to people that watched him in juniors. We watched him and he still remembers and enjoys that part of his life. He deserves the biggest crowd he can get."
Later, MacKinnon brought the Cup to a local hospital for veterans.