Mashin’ It Up with Marc: Meet Comets’ Forward, Marc McLaughlin
Mar 11, 2026Utica, NY – This week, we had the opportunity to chat with Comets’ center and fourth-year pro, Marc McLaughlin.
McLaughlin was raised in Billerica, MA, a moderately sized town situated 20 miles northwest of Boston. As the youngest of three, Marc looked up to his older brother and sister, both of whom played hockey collegiately, his brother at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and his sister at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He said it was essentially a foregone conclusion that he would also get into hockey given the path of his siblings and the fact that his dad also played.
There was a bit of an age gap between Marc and his siblings, as he was only around 12 years old while they were in the midst of their college hockey careers. He said he idolized both of them and loved attending their games. His brother, in particular, served as a role model and someone who strongly shaped Marc’s playing style.
For the McLaughlin’s, the theme of staying active extended beyond the rink. Marc recalls frequent trips to New Hampshire as a kid where his family would spend time camping, hiking, and simply embracing being outdoors. While hockey has always been at the forefront, it was his family’s active lifestyle that led to Marc being a well-rounded athlete, going on to play both baseball and tennis in high school in addition to hockey.
McLaughlin is one of three Massachusetts natives on the Comets’ roster, one of whom is no stranger to say the least. Marc’s ties with teammate Mike Hardman go all the way back to their days with the Providence Capitals youth program when they were just six years old. They followed similar paths, both heading to prep schools in Massachusetts, playing junior hockey in the USHL, and later attending Boston College together. Things have come full circle with them reuniting as teammates in Utica last season.
McLaughlin attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA, his sophomore and junior year of high school. It was a period of growth and maturation, moving away from home for the first time and adapting to a rigorous schedule of sports and academics. After two years, it was time for the next step in his hockey journey which took him west to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Growing up in the Boston area, he said that moving to the Midwest was a bit of a culture shock. “It’s a lot slower pace out there, the people are so nice. I was lucky to have a great billet family, a great coach, and I think the whole experience prepared me well for college which is the whole reason I went out there.”
Enter Boston College. Marc arrived on campus in Chestnut Hill for his freshman year in 2018 and getting to represent the Eagles was a dream come true. “I grew up going to the Beanpot games, getting the chance to play for a legendary coach like Jerry York is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I had the best four years of my life there.” Even more rewarding was that he had the honor of serving as BC’s captain during his junior and senior year.
At the end of his senior year, McLaughlin signed his first pro contract with none other than his hometown team, the Boston Bruins. He suited up in his first NHL game on March 31st, 2022, against the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden. With several friends and family in attendance, he made his debut in style, scoring his first goal on his very first shot in what was an eventual 8-1 win for the Bruins. “It was surreal. That’s kind of how you dream it up, getting your first game in your hometown, scoring a goal, winning the game. Just a special moment, especially with all my friends and family there.”
McLaughlin transitioned seamlessly from college to the NHL, scoring three goals in his first six games. While it was a big jump, he said he was fortunate to be surrounded by some great teammates who made him feel welcome and reminded him that regardless of the level, it was just another hockey game and nothing he wasn’t capable of.
Marc spent the majority of the next two seasons with Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence, suiting up in 134 games with the Providence Bruins. Last season, he played a combined 46 games between Boston and Providence before being acquired in a trade by New Jersey and then assigned to Utica where he appeared in 16 games with the Comets to finish the season.
After sustaining an injury during preseason back in September, McLaughlin wasn’t able to rejoin the Comets until mid-February of this season. Reflecting on his absence, he said, “That was the longest I’ve ever missed. It was probably the hardest thing I’ve gone through in my hockey career. You just miss the game. When you’re consistently playing, you sometimes take for granted how lucky we are to be able to play this game for a living. When I got back, I definitely had some more jump and jam to my game and was just excited to get back on the ice, be a part of this group again, and hopefully provide a spark.” And that he has. Despite the delayed start, McLaughlin has made an immediate impact, providing depth down the middle and contributing offensively with four goals and nine points in his first 12 games.
While his focus is on helping the Comets push for a playoff spot, Marc has a few things to look forward to this offseason, with getting married at the top of the list. He also plans to play a lot of golf and have a productive summer of training back in Massachusetts.
McLaughlin and the Comets will host the Laval Rocket for the St. Patrick’s Day game this Friday at 7 pm. For tickets, please visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070.