Nathan McIver was born January 6, 1985 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Vancouver's ninth choice, 254th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, McIver is a graduate of the OHL's St.Michael's Majors.
A solid stay-at-home defenceman, McIver spent three seasons in Toronto competeing with the St.Michael's Majors. His solid rookie year with the club in which he tallied 15 points earned him a selection by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. After his junior career, McIver joined the Canucks' AHL affilaite in Manitoba and over two seasons became one of the club's best defencemen. He made his NHL debut in the 2006-07 season with the Cancuks.