Mac Hollowell Bio
Mac Hollowell (born September 26, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for HC Lada Togliatti of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). A right-handed shot listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 170 pounds, he has built his career on offensive production from the blue line, strong skating, and reliable playmaking in transitional moments. After being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Hollowell spent several years developing within the Maple Leafs organization before taking his game overseas.
Since turning professional in 2018, Hollowell has represented organizations in the American Hockey League (AHL), the ECHL, and the KHL. He is recognized for his work ethic, vision on the ice, and the ability to drive play from the back end, qualities that have allowed him to remain active at the professional level across multiple leagues.
Early Life and Background
Mac Hollowell was born on September 26, 1998, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a hockey-oriented community along the Niagara River, where youth rinks and minor hockey programs are deeply woven into local life. His parents, Jenn Sheldon and Lenn Hollowell, supported his early development and encouraged his commitment to the sport throughout his childhood.
As a young player, Hollowell suited up for 38 games with the Niagara Rivermen Minor Midget hockey club, where he produced 8 goals and 19 assists for 27 points. That performance gave him valuable experience and helped him earn a step up in competition. He later spent a season with the Niagara Falls Canucks of junior B hockey, working under head coach Frank Pietrangelo, a former National Hockey League goaltender who helped him sharpen his defensive game.
Path to Hockey
Hollowell’s path toward professional hockey continued when he was selected by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 12th round of the 2014 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection Draft. He adjusted quickly to the OHL level, recording his first career OHL goal on December 28, 2014, against the Saginaw Spirit, and finishing his rookie season with two goals and four assists in 11 games.
Although he was eligible for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Hollowell went undrafted that year, but he attracted attention from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who invited him to their prospect camp. Returning to the Greyhounds for the 2017–18 season, he finished fifth among leading scoring OHL defencemen with 12 goals and 44 assists in 63 games. That breakout campaign convinced the Maple Leafs to select him in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Mac Hollowell Career
Major Junior Career (2014–2019)
Hollowell spent five seasons with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, growing from a depth defenceman into one of the league’s premier offensive blue liners. He developed his playmaking, skating, and power-play skills, eventually being named an alternate captain for the Greyhounds alongside Jordan Sambrook and Morgan Frost during his final major junior season.
During the 2018–19 season, Hollowell delivered his strongest OHL campaign, recording 24 goals, 53 assists, and 77 points in 64 games. His performance earned him a place on the OHL First All-Star Team, a recognition that confirmed his status as one of the top defencemen in the Canadian Hockey League that year.
Toronto Maple Leafs Organization (2019–2023)
On March 7, 2019, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Hollowell to an entry-level contract. He joined the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League during their Calder Cup run, where he noted the challenges of professional hockey, saying, “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.” He began the 2019–20 season with the Maple Leafs’ ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers, and scored his first ECHL goal on October 6, 2019, in an overtime win against the Reading Royals. He later made his AHL regular-season debut on November 16, 2019, in an 8–5 win over the Texas Stars.
The 2020–21 AHL season was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hollowell was loaned to TUTO Hockey of Finland’s Mestis second division, where he registered 6 points in 6 games. On November 23, 2022, he made his National Hockey League debut with the Maple Leafs against the New Jersey Devils, fulfilling a long-held dream after years of development within the organization.
New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins (2023–2025)
After four seasons within the Maple Leafs system, Hollowell left as an unrestricted free agent and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers on July 2, 2023. He was placed on waivers on October 1, 2023, and after going unclaimed, was assigned to the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He spent the 2023–24 season in the AHL, appearing in 64 games and recording 3 goals and 44 points. He also represented the Wolf Pack at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic and added 3 points in 10 playoff appearances.
On July 1, 2024, Hollowell signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, to begin the 2024–25 season. He led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton blueline in scoring, posting 1 goal and 30 assists for 31 points in 56 regular-season games, demonstrating the offensive consistency that has defined his career.
Kontinental Hockey League Era (2025–Present)
As a pending free agent, Hollowell opted to take his career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with the KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on June 11, 2025. The move to Europe represented a new chapter for the Canadian defenceman, who sought a fresh challenge in one of the world’s top professional leagues outside the NHL. In August 2025, Hollowell was traded from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl to HC Lada Togliatti in exchange for monetary compensation, and he signed a contract through the end of the 2025–26 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hollowell is widely regarded as an offensively minded defenceman with excellent skating, sharp passing, and a strong ability to quarterback a power play. His compact frame, hockey IQ, and willingness to join the rush have allowed him to produce points at every level. He is also recognized for his work ethic and willingness to adjust his game to the demands of professional hockey, as he showed in adapting to bigger, faster opponents during his early AHL years.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hollowell’s career milestones are his 2018 OHL First All-Star Team selection, his NHL debut on November 23, 2022, against the New Jersey Devils, his selection to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and his transition to the KHL in 2025. Each step reflected a steady climb through competitive leagues and a reputation for producing offensively from the back end.
Mac Hollowell Career Highlights
Mac Hollowell’s career highlights include selection to the OHL First All-Star Team in 2018–19, an AHL All-Star Classic appearance in 2024 with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and consistent scoring contributions across the OHL, ECHL, AHL, and KHL. His most recent verified offensive output came during the 2024–25 season, when he led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defencemen in scoring with 1 goal and 30 assists for 31 points in 56 regular-season games.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Highlights
During the 2024–25 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Hollowell served as one of the team’s top offensive defencemen, finishing with 1 goal and 30 assists for 31 points in 56 games. His playmaking and steady presence on the blue line helped drive the team’s transition game throughout the campaign.
Other Performances
In 2023–24, Hollowell recorded 3 goals and 44 points in 64 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, adding 3 points in 10 playoff games. Earlier in his career, he tallied 6 points in 6 games while on loan with TUTO Hockey in Finland’s Mestis, and he scored his first ECHL goal on October 6, 2019, against the Reading Royals.
Mac Hollowell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mac Hollowell was raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, by his mother, Jenn Sheldon, and his father, Lenn Hollowell. His upbringing in a Canadian hockey community shaped his early introduction to the sport, and his family has been a steady source of support throughout his career progression from minor hockey to the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Details about Mac Hollowell’s personal life beyond his immediate family remain limited in publicly verified sources. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career, having relocated to Russia to compete in the Kontinental Hockey League for the 2025–26 season with HC Lada Togliatti.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a defining period for Mac Hollowell, marked by change, growth, and international opportunity. He wrapped up his North American chapter with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he led the team’s defencemen in scoring during the 2024–25 AHL regular season with 31 points in 56 games. That production underscored his value as a playmaking blue liner and helped him attract interest from clubs overseas.
On June 11, 2025, Hollowell agreed to a one-year contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL, signalling his commitment to test himself in one of Europe’s most competitive professional leagues. Just two months later, in August 2025, he was traded to HC Lada Togliatti, where he signed a contract through the end of the 2025–26 season. The move provided him with a fresh environment and a chance to expand his game in a new hockey culture.
Looking ahead, Hollowell’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and into early 2026 centers on establishing himself within the KHL, building chemistry with new teammates, and continuing to deliver the kind of offensive contributions from the back end that have defined his career. His combination of skating, vision, and competitiveness positions him well to adapt and succeed at the international level.