MacLean played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings and the Phoenix Coyotes.

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).

[citation needed] In the AHL, playing for the Red Wings affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, MacLean recorded a point in 19 straight games between January 6 and February 18, 2006.

He participated in the 2006 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic with fellow Griffins Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula, scoring two goals for the Canadian team.

[citation needed] MacLean signed as a free agent to a two-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 17, 2006, where he would primarily play for the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.

Following a short stint in the Oddset Ligaen with the Rødovre Mighty Bulls MacLean then transferred midway through the 2008–09 season to the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan with the Malmö Redhawks.