Austin Forward McKay makes NCAA Commitment

The Austin Bruins of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Carter McKay has committed to play NCAA hockey for Aurora University in the NCHA.

“It means a lot to me that I have this opportunity to continue playing hockey while also getting an education,” shared by McKay. “Aurora seemed like the right place both from a hockey and academic standpoint. I felt it was a place where I could continue to develop as a person and as a player.”

The 5-foot-10 lefty from Melville, Saskatchewan, McKay is a third-year veteran of the League of Opportunity. In his age-out season, the ‘05 forward started his season with the Shreveport Mudbugs, skating in 19 games with the South Division team. The future Spartan recorded eight goals and six assists, registering 14 points. Two of his tallies were scored in man-advantage fashion while two goals were notched short-handed. In that span, he was named a South Division Star of the Week on October 13, 2025.

Following his time with Shreveport, he was acquired by the Austin Bruins at the trade deadline in February. After recovering from injury, McKay laced up in 10 regular season games, logging eight points for the Central Division team. He scored three goals and notched five assists. One of his tallies was recorded in game-winning fashion while one was snipped on the power play. Thanks to his help on the ice, McKay and the Bruins punched their ticket to the Robertson Cup. In the postseason, the ‘05 forward laced up in all 10 games, recording two assists for the Central Division team.

Head coach of the Bruins, Steve Howard, shares his excitement for McKay.

“We’re extremely happy for Carter and his family. Even though his time in Austin was short, he made a tremendous impact on our team with his experience, leadership, and work ethic. He was a great fit in our locker room and played an important role in our playoff run. Aurora is getting a player who competes every day and an even better person. We can’t wait to see all that he accomplishes at the collegiate level.”

In McKay’s 2024-25 campaign, the ‘05 skater laced up in 59 games for the Mudbugs, recording 37 points for the South Division club. The 5-foot-10 lefty scored 12 goals and produced 25 assists in that span. He notched a game-winning goal and two short-handed tallies.

During McKay’s debut season in the League of Opportunity, he wore the Shreveport sweater in 56 games. The forward scored eight goals and notched 11 assists for the Mudbugs, recording two game-winning tallies for the South Division club. During the 2023-24 season, McKay produced a +11 rating on the ice as well.

For his NAHL career, McKay played 154 games in the League of Opportunity. He logged 80 points in three seasons, finding twine 31 times while recording 49 assists.

The NAHL veteran will join a college program coached by an NAHL alumnus, Jason Bloomingburg. Bloomingburg played three seasons with the Texas Tornado before coming back to serve as an assistant coach of the team. Following his time in the League of Opportunity, he took over the Division III programs a few years later and has now made a mark on the national stage. The Aurora University Spartans made their first Frozen Four appearance this past spring.

McKay is one of ten members of the Austin Bruins to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list