Mac Hollowell

{{Infobox ice hockey biography

| name = Mac Hollowell

| image = 20240204 AHL Skills Competition (53509663086) (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Hollowell with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2024

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|09|26}}

| birth_place = Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 10

| weight_lb = 170

| position = Defense

| shoots = Right

| league = NHL

| team = Pittsburgh Penguins

| prospect_team = WBS Penguins

| prospect_league = AHL

| former_teams = Toronto Maple Leafs

| ntl_team =

| draft = 118th overall

| draft_year = 2018

| draft_team = Toronto Maple Leafs

| career_start = 2018

| career_end =

}}

Mac Hollowell (born September 26, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

=Early career=

Hollowell played 38 games with the Niagara Rivermen Minor Midget hockey club, where he tallied 8 goals and 19 assists for 27 points.{{cite web |title=Hollowell commits to Greyhounds |url=https://soogreyhounds.com/article/hollowell-commits-to-greyhounds |publisher=Soo Greyhounds |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=September 4, 2014}} He then played one season of junior B hockey with the Niagara Falls Canucks under the leadership of Frank Pietrangelo.{{cite news |first=Bernd |last=Franke |title=Mac Hollowell one happy 'Hound |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/sports-story/8696809-mac-hollowell-one-happy-hound/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=St. Catharines Standard |date=June 26, 2018}} He was eventually drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 12th round of the 2014 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection Draft.{{cite web |title=2014 OHL Priority Selection presented by State Farm Round-by-Round |url=https://soogreyhounds.com/2014-ohl-priority-selection-presented-by-state-farm |publisher=Soo Greyhounds |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=April 5, 2014}} Hollowell recorded his first career OHL goal on December 28, 2014, against the Saginaw Spirit.{{cite web |title=2014–15 Award Winners Announced |url=https://soogreyhounds.com/2014-15-award-winners-announced |publisher=Soo Greyhounds |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=March 20, 2015}} He ended his rookie season totalling two goals and four assists in 11 games.{{cite news |last1=Ruicci |first1=Peter |title=Size not limiting Hallowell — Ruicci |work=Sault Star |url=http://www.saultstar.com/2015/09/22/size-not-limiting-hallowell---ruicci |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928070943/http://www.saultstar.com/2015/09/22/size-not-limiting-hallowell---ruicci |archive-date=September 28, 2015}}

Although eligible for the 2017 NHL entry draft, Hollowell went undrafted.{{cite news |last1=Ruicci |first1=Peter |title=Hollowell thrilled to be joining Leafs |url=https://www.saultstar.com/2018/06/23/hollowell-thrilled-to-be-joining-leafs/wcm/dba63450-253f-df35-00d1-235ebad3b6be |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=Sault Star |date=June 23, 2018}} However, he drew some interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs who invited him to their prospect camp during the summer.{{cite news |last1=Coccimiglio |first1=Brad |title=Hollowell draws interest, gets drafted |url=https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/hollowell-draws-interest-gets-drafted-964365 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=Sault Ste. Marie News |date=July 23, 2018}} He returned to the Greyhounds where he ended the 2017–18 season fifth amongst leading scoring OHL defencemen with 12 goals and 44 assists in 63 games. Due to his play, Hollowell was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.{{cite web |title=Maple Leafs Sign Mac Hollowell to Future Entry-Level Contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/leafs-sign-hollowell-to-future-elc/c-305551096 |publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs |via=NHL.com |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=March 7, 2019}} He was invited to attend the Toronto Marlies training camp but was returned to the Greyhounds prior to the 2018–19 season.{{cite news |last1=Coccimiglio |first1=Brad |title=Hollowell returned to Greyhounds |url=https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/hollowell-returned-to-greyhounds-1067807 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=Sault Ste. Marie News |date=September 30, 2018}} Prior to the start of his season as an overager, Hollowell was named an alternate captain alongside Jordan Sambrook and Morgan Frost.{{cite news |title=Peterborough native Barrett Hayton named captain of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds |url=https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/sports-story/8963012-peterborough-native-barrett-hayton-named-captain-of-sault-ste-marie-greyhounds/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=The Peterborough Examiner |date=October 12, 2018}} Hollowell finished his final season in the OHL with 24 goals, 53 assists, and 77 points in 64 games. As a result, he was selected for the OHL First All-Star Team.{{cite news |last1=Ruicci |first1=Peter |title=Frost, Hollowell make first team |url=https://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/sports/local-sports/frost-hollowell-make-first-team/wcm/23ad52c6-83e4-4cf3-921c-56cf5284f610 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=St Thomas Times Journal |date=May 29, 2019}}

=Professional=

On March 7, 2019, the Maple Leafs signed Hollowell to an entry-level contract. At the conclusion of his OHL career, Hollowell joined the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) during their Calder Cup run.{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Dave |title=Hollowell prepared to work his way up to Maple Leafs |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-prospect-mac-hollowell-working-way-up/c-308310760 |publisher=NHL.com |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=July 23, 2019}} Upon making the jump to professional hockey, Hollowell remarked "The guys are bigger and older and positionally smarter, so I'm just trying to find ways to play my game. It's definitely been a big adjustment, but I like it."{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Luke |title=Why Mac Hollowell is becoming a Maple Leafs right shot to watch |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/ahl/mac-hollowell-toronto-maple-leafs-marlies-right-shot-defenceman-prospect-dubas/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=May 16, 2019}} After attending the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp, Hollowell was reassigned to the Marlies for the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |title=Maple Leafs Trim Training Camp Roster |url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-training-camp-roster-update-092519/c-309453014 |publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs |via=NHL.com |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=September 25, 2019}} However, he began the season with the Leafs ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers.{{cite web |title=Growlers Announce 2019–20 Training Camp Roster |url=https://www.nlgrowlers.com/201920news/growlers-announce-2019-20-training-camp-roster |publisher=Newfoundland Growlers |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=September 30, 2019}}

On October 6, 2019, Hollowell recorded his first career ECHL goal in an overtime win against the Reading Royals.{{cite web |last1=Howell |first1=Ryan |title=Recap: Growlers Get First Win of the Season in Overtime |url=https://www.nlgrowlers.com/en/game-recaps/recap-growlers-fall-in-home-opener-to-reading-copy-1570925250436 |publisher=Newfoundland Growlers |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=October 6, 2019}} He made his AHL regular season debut in an 8–5 win over the Texas Stars on November 16, 2019.{{cite web |last1=Rackham |first1=Mark |title=Kenny Agostino's hat trick propels Toronto Marlies to emphatic eight-goal win over Texas |url=https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/11/17/kenny-agostinos-hat-trick-propels-toronto-marlies-to-emphatic-win-against-texas/ |website=mapleleafshotstove.com |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=November 17, 2019}} However, on November 24 he was reassigned to the ECHL.{{cite web |title=ECHL Transactions – Nov. 24 |url=https://www.echl.com/news/2019/11/echl-transactions-nov-24 |publisher=ECHL |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=November 24, 2019}}

On October 28, 2020, with the upcoming 2020–21 season delayed by the ongoing pandemic, Hollowell was loaned to Finnish second division club, TUTO Hockey of the Mestis.{{Cite tweet |title=The @MapleLeafs have loaned defenceman Mac Hollowell to TUTO (Mestis). |url=https://twitter.com/leafspr/status/1321455945629794307 |number=1321455945629794307 |user=LeafsPR |author=Leafs PR |access-date=November 25, 2022 |date=October 28, 2020}} He registered 6 points through 6 games before returning to North America for the Maple Leafs training camp. On November 23, 2022, Hollowell made his NHL debut against the New Jersey Devils.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/long-awaited-nhl-debut-means-everything-to-maple-leafs-hollowell/ |title=Long-awaited NHL debut 'means everything' to Maple Leafs' Hollowell |work=Sportsnet |last=Sadler |first=Emily |date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=November 25, 2022}}

After four seasons within the Maple Leafs organization, Hollowell left as an unrestricted free agent and was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers for the {{NHL Year|2023}} season on July 2, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-mac-hollowell/c-345181378 | title = Rangers agree to terms with Mac Hollowell | publisher = New York Rangers | date = July 2, 2023 | access-date = July 2, 2023}} He was placed on waivers by the Rangers on October 1, 2023{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/rangers-mac-hollowell-put-on-waivers/ |title=Rangers' Mac Hollowell: Put on waivers |work=CBS Sports |date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=October 22, 2023}} and after going unclaimed, was assigned to New York's AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack to start the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartfordwolfpack.com/news/detail/rangers-assign-domingue-and-hollowell-to-wolf-pack |title=Rangers Assign Domingue and Hollowell to Wolf Pack |publisher=Hartford Wolf Pack |date=October 2, 2023 |access-date=October 22, 2023}} He spent the season in the AHL, playing in 64 games, scoring three goals and 44 points. He represented the Wolf Pack at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic. He also made ten playoff appearances with Hartford, registering three points.{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-defenseman-mac-hollowell-to-a-one-year-contract | title = Penguins Sign Defenseman Mac Hollowell to a One-Year Contract |via=NHL.com |publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins | date = July 1, 2024 | access-date = July 15, 2024}}

On July 1, 2024, Hollowell signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, to begin the 2024–25 season.{{cite web |url=https://community.triblive.com/sports/0db829732e431d96bc51481a17423bed |title=Penguins place 3 on waivers, assign 2 to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |last=Rorabaugh |first=Seth |date=October 2, 2024 |access-date=October 13, 2024}}

Personal life

Hollowell was born to parents Jenn Sheldon and Lenn Hollowell.{{cite news |title=Opportunity knocks in the Soo |url=https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/sports-story/8183078-opportunity-knocks-in-the-soo/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=Niagara Falls Review |date=October 6, 2015}}

Career statistics

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Playoffs
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season !! Team !! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
2014–15	Niagara Falls Canucks	GOJHL \| 47	8	29	37	40 \| 4	0	2	2	4
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2014–15	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL \| 11	2	4	6	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL \| 58	1	20	21	23 \| 12	1	3	4	14
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2016–17	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL \| 63	3	20	23	19 \| 11	0	3	3	8
2017–18	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL \| 63	12	44	56	18 \| 24	2	14	16	22
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2018–19	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL \| 64	24	53	77	62 \| 11	2	9	11	10
2018–19	Toronto Marlies	AHL \| —	—	—	—	— \| 9	0	1	1	0
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2019–20	Newfoundland Growlers	ECHL \| 19	3	10	13	21 \| —	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Toronto Marlies	AHL \| 34	3	9	12	25 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2020–21	TUTO Hockey	Mestis \| 6	2	4	6	6 \| —	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Toronto Marlies	AHL \| 27	2	8	10	10 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2021–22	Toronto Marlies	AHL \| 45	5	21	26	44 \| —	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Toronto Marlies	AHL \| 18	0	13	13	8 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2022–23	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL \| 6	0	2	2	2 \| —	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL \| 64	3	41	44	63 \| 10	0	3	3	12
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2024–25	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL \| 56	1	30	31	50 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \| NHL totals ! 6 !! 0 !! 2 !! 2 !! 2 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! —