Defenceman Paul MacKinnon spent parts of five seasons with the Washington Capitals in the 1970s and '80s. He was a decent passer who played a disciplined style in his own zone.
Born in Brantford, Ontario, MacKinnon was chosen 23rd overall by the Caps in 1978 after three solid years with the OHA's Peterborough Petes. The solid youngster helped the Petes reach the Memorial Cup in 1978 and was named to the tournament all-star team. Mackinnon spent his first pro season with the WHA's Winnipeg Jets and helped the club reach the last Avco Cup finals in 1979.
In June 1979, the Caps prior to the Expansion Draft reclaimed Mackinnon. He played 63 games as a rookie and recorded a solid +1 plus/minus rating. Injuries kept him out of all but 19 games the next season. Mackinnon split the 1981-82 season between the NHL and the AHL's Hershey Bears. Over the next two years, his time in the minors increased after the Capitals added Rod Langway and Brian Engblom to the defence corps. Mackinnon retired in 1984 after playing 63 games for Hershey and 12 contests for Washington.
