Career
He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fourth round of the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Amateur
McNally entered Milton Academy as a junior, and soon became known as one of the most explosive players in high school hockey. In 2009-2010, McNally was named United States. Hockey Report Preparatory Defenseman of the Year and helped to guide Milton to their first playoff berth in the school"s history.
McNally was named an assistant captain for the 2010-2011 season.
McNally was selected by the Indiana Ice in the USHL 2010 entry draft, yet decided to remain at Milton Academy for his senior season. He was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the fourth round of the National Hockey League draft, 115th overall.
He was Vancouver"s first selection in the draft. In his senior season at Milton, McNally led the team to a 26–3–1 record and an NEPSAC championship.
McNally also led all NEPSAC defensemen in scoring with 51 points.
McNally committed to Harvard University in the ECAC in the spring of 2010. As a freshman in the 2011-2012 season, McNally held a scoring line of 5-17-22 in National Collegiate Athletic Association contests. After seven games in his sophomore season, he left the team and did not compete in the remainder of the 2012-2013 season due to his involvement in the 2012 Harvard cheating scandal.
In his senior season with the Crimson in 2014-2015, McNally played in 21 games for 21 points in a season interrupted by a knee-injury.
With the Canucks non-committal stance on McNally as an impending free agent, his rights were traded at the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 7th round pick on June 27, 2015. On July 2, 2015, McNally was signed to a two-year entry-level contract by the Sharks.