Curtis McKenzie (ice hockey)

Curtis McKenzie (born February 22, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He is currently playing with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL). McKenzie was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 6th round (159th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Curtis McKenzie
McKenzie with the Texas Stars in 2018
Born (1991-02-22) February 22, 1991 (age 33)
Golden, British Columbia, Canada
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
PositionLeft wing
ShotLeft
AHL team
Former teams
Texas Stars
Dallas Stars
NHL draft159th overall, 2009
Dallas Stars
Playing career2013–present

Playing career

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McKenzie played four seasons of NCAA Division I college hockey for the Miami RedHawks of the CCHA. In 158 career NCAA games he registered 29 goals, 51 assists, and 285 penalty minutes.

Following his senior year at Miami University, on April 12, 2013, the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL) signed McKenzie to a two-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2013–14 AHL season, but he made his professional debut near the end of the 2012–13 season with their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, on an amateur tryout contract.[1]

In the early stages of the 2014–15 season, McKenzie made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars on October 18, 2014, against the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored his first career goal on November 16, 2014, against Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks.[2] McKenzie signed a two-year contract extension with the Stars on July 1, 2015.[3]

On March 10, 2017, McKenzie re-signed a one-year contract to stay with the Stars organization.[4] He played most of the year with the Texas Stars where he was named captain.

After five seasons within the Stars organization following the 2017–18 campaign, McKenzie left as a free agent and agreed to a two-year, one-way contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1, 2018.[5] For the duration of his contract with the Golden Knights, McKenzie played in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves.

As a free agent, McKenzie was signed by the St. Louis Blues to a one-year, two-way contract on October 10, 2020.[6] In the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, after attending the Blues training camp, McKenzie was assigned to temporary affiliate, the Utica Comets, for the duration of the season and registered 5 goals and 13 points through 26 regular season games.

Leaving the Blues organization as a free agent, McKenzie opted to reunite with the Texas Stars of the AHL, securing a two-year contract on August 6, 2021.[7]

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada West
World Junior A Challenge
2008 Camrose

Personal life

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McKenzie attended Burnaby Mountain Secondary School in Burnaby, British Columbia.

McKenzie married Lucia Carr in August 2018 and welcomed their first child in February 2021.[8]

While attending Miami University, McKenzie became involved in the You Can Play Project. You Can Play is an initiative to promote equality in sports. In 2016, the NHL adopted its Hockey Is For Everyone night. McKenzie was the Dallas Stars first Ambassador.[9]

Career statistics

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  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2007–08Penticton VeesBCHL4937108170119
2008–09Penticton VeesBCHL533034649010371013
2009–10Miami RedHawksCCHA426212788
2010–11Miami RedHawksCCHA38751257
2011–12Miami RedHawksCCHA405121760
2012–13Miami RedHawksCCHA3911132480
2012–13Texas StarsAHL50111420000
2013–14Texas StarsAHL7527386592213111421
2014–15Texas StarsAHL316152146311218
2014–15Dallas StarsNHL3641548
2015–16Texas StarsAHL6124315512041128
2015–16Dallas StarsNHL3000010005
2016–17Dallas StarsNHL536101672
2017–18Texas StarsAHL5125234874221192027
2017–18Dallas StarsNHL702211
2018–19Chicago WolvesAHL7120345411221871551
2019–20Chicago WolvesAHL6117254236
2020–21Utica CometsAHL26581335
2021–22Texas StarsAHL722129508220004
2022–23Texas StarsAHL702232548383254
2023–24Texas StarsAHL631335483572578
NHL totals9910132313110005

Awards and honours

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AwardYear
AHL
All-Rookie Team2014[10]
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award2014
Calder Cup (Texas Stars)2014
All-Star Classic2018

References

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  1. ^ "Dallas Stars sign Curtis McKenzie to two-year entry-level contract". Dallas Stars. April 10, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  2. ^ "Kane, Versteeg each score 3 points as Blackhawks rally to defeat Stars". National Hockey League. November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  3. ^ "Stars sign Curtis McKenzie to a two-year deal". sportsnet.ca. July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  4. ^ "Curtis McKenzie signs one-year contract with Stars". National Hockey League. March 10, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "Vegas announces free agency signings". Vegas Golden Knights. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  6. ^ "Blues sign McKenzie to one-year, two-way deal". St. Louis Blues. October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "Stars reunite with Curtis McKenzie on a two-year deal". Texas Stars. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  8. ^ @muckbro16 (August 19, 2018). "What a magical day! Amazing to be surrounded by the best family and friends. So excited for the rest of my life with the most beautiful bride #curtisstoleourcarr #loveinlakelouise" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Shapiro, Sean (February 5, 2017). "Curtis McKenzie honored to be You Can Play ambassador". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  10. ^ "2013–14 AHL All-Rookie Team announced". American Hockey League. March 21, 2014. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
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Awards
Preceded by AHL Rookie of the Year
2013–14
Succeeded by