Release from 29.07.2026

KAC signs defenseman | Capitals create prospect squad

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Defenseman William MacKinnon is EC-KAC’s fifth new signing for the upcoming season. The 26-year-old American, who most recently played in the ECHL, is coming to Europe for the first time. Meanwhile, the Vienna Capitals have launched a prospect squad featuring young players to strengthen the pathway between youth and professional hockey.

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William MacKinnon hails from Michigan, where he spent key formative years developing with the prestigious HoneyBaked Hockey Club before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program for the 2016/17 season. Between 2018 and 2022, he studied and played at the University of New Hampshire, serving as team captain in his final collegiate year. MacKinnon made his professional debut in March 2022 and has since split time between the ECHL (203 games) and the American Hockey League (89 games). Though undrafted, the left-shot defenseman has participated in NHL training camps, most recently with the New Jersey Devils in 2024.

“After four years as a pro in North America, I feel this is the ideal time to take the next step in my development. I know the style of hockey differs somewhat between the two continents, but I’m eager to work on translating my game to European ice and helping my new team win games,” MacKinnon said.

Vienna Capitals’ new prospect squad
The Vienna Capitals’ youth program continues to grow, now boasting around 400 players across the EAC Junior Capitals and Vienna Capitals junior teams. A long-term organizational goal is to increase mobility between youth and professional ranks, a mission now advanced by the creation of a dedicated prospect squad.

This squad currently consists of seven players who will mainly play for the U20 team in the coming season, but who are integrated into the professional team’s training sessions and will also feature in the win2day ICE Hockey League when required. These include 19-year-old forward Lukas Zach-Kiesling, who made 27 league appearances last season, scoring two points (1 goal, 1 assist), as well as Lukas Felsinger (F/18), Rene Goldschmidt (D/19), Florian Brunner (D/17), Robin Stöckl (D/17), Lukas Wieselthaler (D/19) and Lennox Setzinger (G/18).