MacLean was selected 33rd overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. MacLean spent three years playing junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In his second year he tallied 89 points in 61 games playing for three different teams (Beauport Harfangs, Laval Titan Collège Français and Hull Olympiques). His NHL debut was in Los Angeles in the 1997–1998 season where he played 22 games notching five goals and two assists.