MacPhee To Join REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The defending Atlantic University Sport champion UNB REDS are naming New Brunswick-born centre Braeden MacPhee as the first member of their recruiting class of 2025.
The 21-year-old, from Moncton, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2025-2026 AUS season.
“UNB takes pride in selecting the best group every season that knows the expectation of the program,” said MacPhee. “The name UNB has made for itself, and that is to win. That is the standard. I love when the standard is high and all the coaches and players push each other to keep up with that standard. That is something that I want to be a part of.”
“We’re thrilled to get Braeden on our team,” said REDS’ head coach Rob Hennigar. “His passion and energy will make him a fan favourite at UNB for years to come. He plays an honest hard-working game and drags his teammates into the fight every night.”
MacPhee recently concluded a stellar major junior career that saw him play three full seasons and parts of a fourth with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
In 232 regular season and playoff games with the Mooseheads, MacPhee registered 32 goals and 31 assists.
His 2024-2025 campaign was MacPhee’s most productive. He scored 18 goals and 13 assists in 70 regular season and playoff games, leading the Mooseheads to the second round of the QMJHL playoffs.
“I’m a role player,” said MacPhee. “I play well in my defensive zone, play the game hard and like to use edge to frustrate the other team. I’m a penalty kill, shut down player. I’m always working on improving and leveling-up my game and always want to keep growing as a player.”
After splitting the 2021-2022 season between the Miramichi Timberwolves, of the Maritime Junior Hockey League, and the Mooseheads, MacPhee helped Halifax to the QMJHL final in 2022-2023.
“Being from New Brunswick, growing up watching UNB have so much success, and having the opportunity to play for the best program in the country made this an easy decision,” said MacPhee. “If you want to grow as a player and win championships, UNB is the place to be. That’s exactly what I want.”
“It’s always great when New Brunswick-born players return home and join us at UNB,” said Coach Hennigar. “Braeden will be relied upon in key situations and will be a spark plug for our group. His work ethic and consistency are what make him stand out.”
MacPhee and current REDS’ forward Peter Reynolds were teammates, briefly, in Halifax at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
He says he’ll work to get better every day and to learn as much as he can from the culture, coaches, and his new teammates.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTO: Halifax Mooseheads