Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Phantoms forward Malachi McKinnon crashes the net during a December game against Omaha last season.

Going into last season, Youngstown Phantoms forward Malachi McKinnon was billed as one of the hot newcomers to watch.

It’s safe to say McKinnon lived up to expectations, scoring 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in his first full USHL season and finishing fifth on the Phantoms in points.

McKinnon is back in the mix for the 2026-27 season, and he is expected to be a key piece of the puzzle for the Phantoms this year.

“He’s going to drive our offense. He’s going to take the role of (Ryan) Rucinski or (Cooper) Simpson or (Jack) Hextall,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “He had a 50-point season last year. We’re expecting him to be at the top of the league in scoring and driving our offense and being a leader, and I think Malachi, he wants those responsibilities, and he’s done a really good job so far of living up to that.”

McKinnon is ready for the challenge.

“I’m super excited. I think ultimately the biggest thing with coming back is taking a big step,” McKinnon said. “(I want to take) the biggest step that I can, and that’s going to be offensively. My 200-foot game, and it’s also trying to produce a lot more than I did last year, and I think that taking on that role and taking on that leadership role, I’m really excited to take that next developmental step, and I’m really excited for this year.”

The Minnesota-born forward was fond of his first year in Youngstown, but one thing hasn’t sat right with him since the conclusion of the season.

“We had such a fun group and such a fun team as well. We were so close, and our staff did such a good job of creating the culture,” McKinnon said. “I loved it (in Youngstown last year). I loved everything about it. The only thing was just falling short of what our goal was.”

A strong culture is a foundational piece of a team’s success, and McKinnon wants to do his part in nurturing that culture. That means embracing a leadership role on and off the ice.

“Being a leader, whether there’s letters involved or not, and being able to create a standard in the locker room (is essential),” McKinnon said. “Just creating that standard, and helping guys to get that up with you. I’m super excited to be in a room with people that I know, and the staff – I love them, and they did such a good job. I’m super excited to get a full year with them.”

Listed at 5-foot-9, McKinnon is not likely to ever be the biggest player on the ice, but that doesn’t mean he’s ever going to shy away from a challenge.

“One of my biggest role models is (Pittsburgh Penguins forward) Blake Lizotte. I grew up with him. My dad calls him a lot, so I’ve gotten to see his work ethic, and he is a (5-foot-9) NHL player. He’s someone who should probably not be in the NHL. He is. He has always had the ability to make sure that no one could say no to him, and he has made his way all the way to the top, and all of a sudden, he’s an eight-year NHL veteran.

“That work ethic aspect of being a dog, being a leader on his team and taking control, saying ‘This is how we’re going to do it.’ That’s a big thing that I’m trying to take away from him and slowly add all that into my game.”

With the upcoming season set to be his last before departing for college at the University of Maine, McKinnon hopes to leave a legacy in Youngstown. That goal starts with improving as a player and ends with a championship.

“(I’m most excited about getting) another opportunity at trying to chase the championship with all my best friends,” McKinnon said. “It’s also being able to take a big step developmentally for myself, but for a team aspect, it’s trying to win a championship and create a legacy, because you’re not remembered as well if you lose, and you get remembered very well if you can win a championship and bring that home to Youngstown. In such a great city, and fans, it’d be so awesome to bring that home for them.”