From Riverdale To The Rink: 5 Shocking Facts About Vanessa Morgan And Nathan MacKinnon's Forgotten Romance

The relationship between Canadian actress Vanessa Morgan and NHL superstar Nathan MacKinnon is a fascinating, yet often forgotten, chapter in celebrity-athlete dating history. While their romance was brief, spanning from 2014 to 2016, the pairing of the rising Hollywood star and the burgeoning ice hockey phenom captured the attention of fans on both sides of the border. This article, updated for December 2025, delves into the timeline of their connection, explores the contrasting worlds they inhabited, and provides a comprehensive look at their wildly successful, separate lives today. The story of Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon is a classic tale of two young Canadian stars on the cusp of global fame. Their relationship predates Morgan’s breakout role as Toni Topaz on the CW hit *Riverdale* and MacKinnon’s transformation into an NHL MVP candidate, making it a unique moment in their respective career trajectories. Today, both have moved on to build families and achieve monumental professional success, cementing their status as two of Canada’s most recognizable entertainers and athletes.

Complete Biography & Profile: Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon

To truly understand the dynamic of this former celebrity couple, it is essential to look at their individual journeys, which are now worlds apart from their 2014 dating days.

Vanessa Morgan Mziray (The Actress)

• Full Name: Vanessa Morgan Mziray
• Born: March 23, 1992 (Age 33 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Ethnicity: Scottish (Mother) and Tanzanian (Father)
• Career Highlights: Toni Topaz in *Riverdale* (2017–2023), Sarah in *My Babysitter's a Vampire*, Beatrix "Bird" Castro in *Finding Carter*, and the 2024 TV series *Wild Cards*.
• Personal Life Update:
  • Was married to MLB player Michael Kopech (Chicago White Sox) in 2020; Kopech filed for divorce just six months later while Morgan was pregnant with their first child, River Kopech.
  • Currently engaged to Canadian basketball player James Karnik (dating since 2022).
  • Announced in July 2024 that she and James Karnik are expecting a baby girl.

Nathan Raymond MacKinnon (The NHL Star)

• Full Name: Nathan Raymond MacKinnon
• Born: September 1, 1995 (Age 30 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (grew up in Cole Harbour)
• Career Highlights: First overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, centre and alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche, Stanley Cup Champion (2022), multiple-time NHL All-Star.
• Professional Update:
  • Considered one of the world's best ice hockey players.
  • Signed an eight-year, $100.8 million contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
  • In the 2024-2025 season, he has been a dominant force, leading the league in points and goals alongside players like Nikita Kucherov.
• Personal Life Update:
  • In a long-term, private relationship with Charlotte Walker, who is known for keeping a low public profile.

The Brief Crossover: When Hollywood Met the NHL (2014–2016)

The relationship between Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon began in April 2014 and lasted for approximately two years, ending around 2016. This timeline places their romance at a critical juncture for both of their careers. MacKinnon had just been drafted first overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2013 and was navigating his rookie years in the intense world of professional ice hockey. Meanwhile, Morgan was transitioning from her early Canadian television roles, like the Family Channel's *My Babysitter's a Vampire*, toward more prominent American productions. The relationship was relatively low-key, typical of young stars who hadn't yet reached their peak fame. They were occasionally seen together at events and on social media, but they largely managed to keep the details of their private life out of the intense media spotlight that would later follow them. The contrast between the glitz of Hollywood and the rigorous schedule of the NHL—the bright lights of the television set versus the cold rinks of Denver—likely presented unique challenges to their young love.

Post-Breakup Success: How Both Stars Reached New Heights

The end of their relationship in 2016 marked a pivot point for both Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon, leading them down paths of extraordinary professional and personal growth. The subsequent years saw both individuals achieve massive, career-defining milestones.

Vanessa Morgan’s Post-MacKinnon Era: Riverdale Fame and Motherhood

Shortly after the breakup, Vanessa Morgan landed the role of Toni Topaz on *Riverdale* in 2017, a role that brought her international fame and a dedicated fan base. The show became a global phenomenon, and Morgan's character was central to many of the series' most popular storylines. Her personal life continued to be a blend of high-profile athlete relationships and significant personal milestones. Her short-lived marriage to MLB pitcher Michael Kopech and his subsequent divorce filing while she was pregnant with their son, River, was a painful public experience that she has since spoken about. Today, she has found stability and happiness with Canadian basketball player James Karnik, with whom she is expecting her second child. This journey highlights her resilience and focus on her growing family.

Nathan MacKinnon’s Evolution: Stanley Cup and Record Contract

For Nathan MacKinnon, the years following his relationship with Morgan were defined by a relentless climb to the top of the ice hockey world. He evolved from a highly touted young player into an NHL powerhouse. His dedication culminated in leading the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup championship in 2022, a career-defining achievement. Furthermore, his value to the team was recognized with a massive eight-year, $100.8 million contract extension, a testament to his elite status in the league. Off the ice, MacKinnon has maintained a famously private life alongside his long-time partner, Charlotte Walker, demonstrating a preference for stability and focus away from the media circus.

5 Surprising Facts About the Vanessa & Nathan Connection

While their time together was short, the relationship between the actress and the centre is a fascinating celebrity footnote.

1. The Timing Was Pre-Fame: Their relationship largely took place before Vanessa Morgan secured her career-defining role as Toni Topaz on *Riverdale*, meaning their romance was shielded from the intense scrutiny that would later follow her.
2. The Athlete Connection Continued: Both Morgan and MacKinnon continued to date professional athletes after their split. Morgan married MLB player Michael Kopech and is now engaged to professional basketball player James Karnik, while MacKinnon settled into a long-term relationship with Charlotte Walker. This suggests a pattern of dating within the demanding world of professional sports.
3. A Clash of Canadian Cities: Morgan was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian capital, while MacKinnon hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their careers took them to different countries—Hollywood/Vancouver for Morgan and Denver for MacKinnon—creating a perpetual long-distance challenge.
4. The Age Difference: Nathan MacKinnon is three years younger than Vanessa Morgan, a small but notable detail for a young celebrity couple navigating the pressures of fame and career building.
5. They Are Both Canadian Icons: Despite their different fields, both are considered major Canadian success stories—Morgan as a prominent Canadian actress in American television, and MacKinnon as one of the most dominant Canadian-born players in the NHL.

The forgotten romance between Vanessa Morgan and Nathan MacKinnon serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly young celebrity lives can change. While their paths diverged nearly a decade ago, both have achieved incredible success, built new families, and solidified their place as major figures in their respective industries. Today, their individual accomplishments—Morgan's resilient motherhood and acting career, and MacKinnon's NHL dominance and private stability—speak volumes about the successful, separate lives they now lead.