It didn’t take long for Nathan MacKinnon to make an impact on the QMJHL. In his first period of official action, the 16-year-old recorded an assist on teammate Luca Ciampini’s powerplay goal midway through the opening frame.

A period later MacKinnon had his second point, another assist on a Darcy Ashley goal.

To cap off his debut, MacKinnon scored in the shootout to help lift his Halifax Mooseheads over the PEI Rocket in the club’s season opener.

It’s the first points in what appears to be a promising Major Junior career for MacKinnon, one that almost didn’t happen.

The Cole Harbour, NS. product and Shattock St. Mary’s alumnus was the first overall selection in the 2011 QMJHL Draft by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Instead of celebrating the honour, MacKinnon spent the day skating alongside members of the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, contemplating a collegiate career.

A trade to the Halifax Mooseheads brought MacKinnon to the QMJHL. The five-foot-11, 179-pound forward was dealt to the Mooseheads by Baie-Comeau in exchange for players Carl Gélinas and Francis Turbide as well as Halifax’s 2012 and 2013 first round picks.

The deal ensured MacKinnon’s arrival to Major Junior.

And a major impact on the QMJHL.

Aaron Vickers is the managing editor of Future Considerations and can be found on Twitter. For all the latest Future Considerations news and posts, follow FC’s Official Twitter Feed, on YouTube and on Facebook!