Colorado Avalanche Star Nathan MacKinnon Revealed to Be Secretly Training With NASA to Become First NHL Player in Space
By Alex Winters | *Rocky Mountain Sports Daily*
In one of the most astonishing revelations in modern sports history, sources have confirmed that Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon has been secretly training with NASA over the past two years with the goal of becoming the first NHL player — and possibly the first professional athlete — to play hockey in space.
The story broke late Tuesday night when a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request uncovered internal NASA documents referencing “Operation Ice Comet,” a cryptic program reportedly involving a high-profile athlete. The documents, redacted heavily, nonetheless listed MacKinnon’s name multiple times in connection with astronaut fitness evaluations, zero-gravity simulations, and anti-G training in Houston, Texas.
At first, fans and journalists alike assumed it was an elaborate April Fool’s joke that somehow arrived a few weeks late. But the Avalanche organization confirmed the story Wednesday morning.
“Yes, Nathan has been participating in a unique training program with NASA,” Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland said in a press conference. “While we were surprised at first, it turns out he’s incredibly serious about expanding the limits of athleticism — and of course, bringing hockey to the final frontier.”
MacKinnon, 29, took the podium later in the day wearing his usual team gear — plus a NASA patch sewn onto his left sleeve.
“It started as a joke,” he admitted with a grin. “In the bubble during the 2020 playoffs, a few of us were talking about playing street hockey on the moon. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, NASA had reached out to see if I was serious. I said, ‘Why not?’”
But what began as a fantasy quickly became a scientific endeavor. According to NASA officials, the program is part of a broader initiative to study human physical performance in extreme environments. MacKinnon’s elite conditioning, coordination, and endurance made him an ideal test subject.
“We are interested in how zero gravity affects muscle memory, puck trajectory, and the biomechanics of elite athletic performance,” said Dr. Amelia Chen, director of NASA’s Human Adaptation Lab. “MacKinnon’s involvement allows us to study these dynamics through the lens of professional sports — and that’s incredibly valuable.”
The plan, as it currently stands, is for MacKinnon to join a civilian orbital mission aboard the privately owned *Starlift-9* spacecraft, scheduled for early 2026. He will spend seven days aboard an orbital habitat outfitted with a miniaturized, enclosed rink — roughly the size of a tennis court — designed for zero-G conditions.
Dubbed “Hockey in the Heavens,” the event will be live-streamed around the globe. NASA engineers, along with former NHL players, have been working on specialized equipment: magnetized skates to mimic gliding, a puck that responds to small air pulses for maneuverability, and carbon-fiber nets anchored to the ship’s interior bulkheads.
“This isn’t just a PR stunt,” said Dr. Chen. “Nathan’s participation helps us learn about the neuromuscular challenges astronauts face on long-duration missions. Also, it’s going to look absolutely incredible.”
Reaction from the NHL community has ranged from disbelief to admiration.
Sidney Crosby, MacKinnon’s longtime friend and offseason training partner, was reportedly stunned.
“Nate told me last summer he was learning Russian and eating freeze-dried steak. I thought he was just going through a phase,” Crosby said. “But hey, if anyone can do slapshots in space, it’s him.”
MacKinnon’s coach, Jared Bednar, joked that he had initially thought his star center’s increasingly detailed questions about air pressure, inertia, and magnetic footwear were signs of overtraining.
“He kept asking if we could make the puck ‘float’ more in our power-play drills,” Bednar laughed. “Now I get it.”
Fans are equally captivated. A Reddit thread on r/hockey with over 30,000 upvotes titled “MacKinnon to the Moon?” features speculative renderings, space-hockey fantasy leagues, and even a mock “Space Norris Trophy” campaign.
Meanwhile, MacKinnon has reportedly been balancing his NHL duties with astronaut prep: waking at 4 a.m. to study orbital mechanics, practicing puck control in a parabolic flight simulator, and learning to navigate a spacecraft’s emergency systems — all while still leading the Avalanche in points.
“I’m not going to space just to float around,” MacKinnon said. “I want to take a wrist shot from the airlock to the goal at the other end of the habitat and see how fast it travels. I want to push the boundaries.”
NASA has also hinted that other athletes may follow suit. Serena Williams, now retired from tennis, is reportedly in preliminary talks for a zero-G match. And LeBron James has expressed “intense curiosity” about the gravitational challenges of a space dunk.
As for the Avalanche, they’ve taken MacKinnon’s space pursuits in stride.
“It’s not every day your franchise player doubles as an astronaut,” said team captain Gabriel Landeskog. “But knowing Nate, he’s not doing this for attention. He’s doing it because he genuinely wants to see what’s possible.”
As the hockey world holds its collective breath, MacKinnon remains unfazed.
“I’ll be back in time for the playoffs,” he promised. “Assuming I don’t get traded to Mars.”