The Arizona Coyotes signed McBain to a free agent contract on July 1, 2016, making them the defenseman's fourth NHL team.

He had spent the two previous NHL seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, getting 18 points in 70 games. With Los Angeles, he scored a goal Feb. 5, 2015, against the Florida Panthers for his 100th NHL point and played his 300th NHL game Feb. 24, 2015, against the Detroit Red Wings.

McBain was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (No. 63) in the 2006 NHL Draft and spent his first four NHL seasons with them. He made his NHL debut March 16, 2010 against the Boston Bruins, and four days later scored his first NHL goal and also had an assist.

The goal was a memorable one; he scored the game-winner, beating Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury with one second left in overtime. McBain also became the second player in franchise history to get a point in each of his first four games.

Playing in 76 games for Carolina in 2010-11, McBain finished tied for fourth among NHL rookie defensemen in goals (seven), and fifth in assists (23) and points (30). He got his first multigoal game in the NHL when he scored two goals against the Montreal Canadiens on March 30, 2011.

McBain led Carolina defensemen in assists (19) and points (27) in 2011-12. He was assessed four penalty minutes, the fewest of any NHL defenseman with more than 70 games played.

The Hurricanes traded McBain to the Buffalo Sabres along with a second-round pick for Andrej Sekera at the NHL Draft on June 30, 2013. He had six goals and 17 points in 69 games in his only season with Buffalo.

Prior to turning pro, McBain spent two seasons with USA Hockey's National Team Development Programs and played three seasons at the University of Wisconsin.