At the age of 14 defenseman Mike McBain was somewhat of a scoring phenom while playing bantam hockey with the Kimberley Dynamiters of the BCAHA popping in 25 goals and 87 points in just 35 games. Needless to say the tremendous points production by a defenseman drew the attention of major junior scouts, who also liked the fact McBain was blessed with size.
It was thought by many that McBain was good enough to have played in the WHL at the age of 15, but he was deemed too young so he remained in his hometown for another season. In 1993-94 he joined the WHL's Red Deer Rebels, scoring 17 points in his rookie season. He doubled that to 34 points the next year and he was selected in the second round, 30th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. McBain showed steady improvement throughout his four years in Red Deer but never established himself as the offensive scoring power many believed he should have become.
In 1997-98 he was used for 27 games by the Lightning where he contributed one assist. He played the balance of the year with Adirondack of the AHL. The following year he played 37 games with Tampa Bay, adding six assists. That was the last time McBain played in the NHL. Since then he has played in Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago of the IHL and Quebec of the AHL.
In 2001-02, feeling his career was stagnating in the minors, he accepted an offer to play in the British League with the Bracknell Bees.