Aidan McDonough

Aidan McDonough (born November 6, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey left wing for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). McDonough was drafted 195th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Playing career McDonough began his collegiate career for the Northeastern Huskies during the 2019–20 season, where he recorded 11 goals and 16 assists in 31 games. In eight games in February, McDonough led Hockey East in scoring with seven goals and 11 points. His five power-play goals were the most in the nation and his six power-play points led the league. He was subsequently named the Hockey East Co-Player of the Month for February.

During the 2020–21 season, he recorded ten goals and ten assists in 21 games, in a season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He posted seven goals and four assists in February and recorded his first career hat-trick on February 12, 2021. He was subsequently named the Hockey East Co-Player of the Month for February. Following the season he was awarded the Hockey East Three-Stars Award.

On June 10, 2021, he was named an assistant captain for the 2021–22 season. During his junior year he recorded 25 goals and 14 assists in 38 games. He led the Huskies in goals and ranked second in the NCAA, while his .66 goals per game ranked third in the NCAA. Following an outstanding season he was named to the All-Hockey East First Team and named an AHCA East First Team All-American.

On March 28, 2022, McDonough announced he would return to Northeastern for his senior year. In the 2022–23 season, McDonough was selected as team captain of the Huskies and completed his fourth season in leading led the team with 20 goals and 38 points through 34 games.

Having concluded his collegiate career, McDonough was promptly signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks on March 13, 2023.

At the conclusion of his entry-level contract, McDonough was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Canucks and was released as a free agent. On July 5, 2024, McDonough was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Charlotte Checkers, the primary affiliate to the Florida Panthers, for the 2024–25 season.

McDonough left the Panthers after an injury hit lone season to sign a one-year AHL contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, affiliate to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 2, 2025. McDonough regained his offensive touch in the 2025–26 season with the Penguins, posting 23 goals and 44 points in 65 games.

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, McDonough secured an NHL contract in signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres for the season on July 2, 2026.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2014–15 Thayer Academy USHS 24 4 4 8 — — — — — — 2015–16 Thayer Academy USHS 31 25 19 44 — — — — — — 2016–17 Thayer Academy USHS 30 22 27 49 — — — — — — 2017–18 Thayer Academy USHS 29 25 34 59 — — — — — — 2018–19 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 50 21 21 42 49 6 4 3 7 0 2019–20 Northeastern University HE 31 11 16 27 10 — — — — — 2020–21 Northeastern University HE 21 10 10 20 4 — — — — — 2021–22 Northeastern University HE 38 25 14 39 44 — — — — — 2022–23 Northeastern University HE 34 20 18 38 14 — — — — — 2022–23 Vancouver Canucks NHL 6 1 0 1 2 — — — — — 2023–24 Abbotsford Canucks AHL 58 11 8 19 10 2 0 0 0 0 2024–25 Charlotte Checkers AHL 16 10 6 16 15 — — — — — 2025–26 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 65 23 21 44 24 15 4 4 8 4NHL totals 6 1 0 1 2 — — — — —

Awards and honors Award YearCollege All-Hockey East First Team 2022, 2023 AHCA East First Team All-American 2022, 2023