Liam McLinskey

Liam McLinskey (born February 20, 2001) is an American professional ice hockey winger for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL). He previously played collegiate hockey with Holy Cross of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Playing career McLinskey began his collegiate career for Quinnipiac during the 2021–22 season. During his freshman year he was scoreless in two games. Following the season he transferred to Holy Cross.

During the 2022–23 season, his sophomore year, he recorded 21 goals and four assists in 40 games. His 21 goals led the team, and tied for second all-time for goals in a single season at Holy Cross. He also set a program record with six game-winning goals. He was subsequently named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Tournament Team.

During the 2023–24 season, In his junior year, he recorded 19 goals and 28 assists in 39 games. He led the team and Atlantic Hockey in points, assists, and plus/minus. His 47 points are tied for second-most all-time, while his 19 goals and 28 assists are each tied for the fourth-most in a single season in program history. With four goals in the 2024 Atlantic Hockey tournament, McLinskey tied the all-time Atlantic Hockey Tournament record with 14 goals in the postseason. Following the season he was named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, won the Atlantic Hockey Regular Season Scoring Trophy and was named to the All-Atlantic Hockey First Team. He was also named an AHCA East Second Team All-American, and a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He became the first Crusader player to be named a finalist for the award.

During the 2024–25 season, In his senior year, he recorded 24 goals and 30 assists in 40 games. He led the team and Atlantic Hockey America in scoring. Following the season he was named Atlantic Hockey America Player of the Year, and Atlantic Hockey America Forward of the Year, won the Atlantic Hockey America scoring trophy and was named to the All-Atlantic Hockey America First Team. He was also named a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award for the second consecutive year.

Personal life McLinskey was born to Terence and Laura McLinskey and has two siblings, Ryan and Grace. His father played soccer at Army West Point and his brother, Ryan, played college baseball at Seton Hall and Notre Dame.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2019–20 Jersey Hitmen NCDC 50 12 40 52 78 — — — — — 2020–21 Jersey Hitmen NCDC 44 24 43 67 38 4 0 3 3 2 2021–22 Quinnipiac University ECAC 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2022–23 Holy Cross AHA 40 21 4 25 22 — — — — — 2023–24 Holy Cross AHA 39 19 28 47 32 — — — — — 2024–25 Holy Cross AHA 40 24 30 54 18 — — — — — 2024–25 Charlotte Checkers AHL 6 1 4 5 0 — — — — — 2025–26 Charlotte Checkers AHL 24 2 3 5 8 — — — — —AHL totals 30 3 7 10 8 — — — — —

Awards and honors Award YearCollege Atlantic Hockey All-Tournament Team 2023 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year 2024 Atlantic Hockey Regular Season Scoring Trophy 2024 AHCA East Second Team All-American 2024, 2025 All-Atlantic Hockey America First Team 2025 Atlantic Hockey America Player of the Year 2025 Atlantic Hockey America Forward of the Year 2025