Asking For Trades Out of Canada? MacKenzie Weegar Has Blunt Message For NHL Stars

Former Calgary Flames (now Utah Mammoth) defenseman MacKenzie Weegar believes it is unfortunate to see star players increasingly looking to leave Canadian NHL markets. In a recent interview, while speaking kindly about his experience in Calgary, Weegar took a bit of a subtle shot at players who have been requesting trades.

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Weegar, an Ottawa native who spent several seasons playing in Calgary, recently shared his disappointment during an appearance on OverDrive. While acknowledging that American markets can offer “a little more” and certain advantages, Weegar said his time playing in Canada was overwhelmingly positive.

“For me, personally, I had a great experience in Canada,” Weegar said. “Calgary was an absolute blast to play in that city. I think there’s great things to come for that team.” He talked about the passionate fans, the love of hockey, and everything else Canadian cities have to offer. In Calgary specifically, when that team gets their new arena, it might become an attractive destination.

Weegar added that he understands why players may be attracted to American markets, suggesting places such as Utah can “offer a little bit more”. However, he admitted, “It’s a bit unfortunate to see players wanting out of Canada,” Weegar said. “I know how passionate the fans are there, the citizens in each city, how much they love their hockey and their star players.”

Did Weegar Take a Shot at Players Requesting Out?

It might have been unintended, but Weegar appeared to take a bit of a shot at players who have been requesting trades. “At the end of the day, I think we’re all hockey players. It doesn’t really matter where you play; you just want to play in the NHL. It’s the best league in the world. To represent any jersey that you wear, it means a lot, and it’s an honor.”

Clearly, players who want to be moved and pick their cities don’t feel the same way.

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