The Oshawa, Ontario native played in 1,194 career NHL games over the course of 18 seasons, for the Devils, Sharks, New York Rangers and Dallas Stars. MacLean scored 842 points (413 goals and 429 assists).
As a player, he represented New Jersey at the NHL All-Star Games in 1989 and 1991. MacLean played in 104 Stanley Cup Playoff games, scoring 83 points (35 goals and 48 assists). He was a member of the Devils 1995 Stanley Cup Championship team.
MacLean was originally selected by New Jersey in the first round of the 1983 NHL Draft (sixth overall).