Curtis McKenzie (ice hockey) explained

Curtis McKenzie
Team:Texas Stars
League:AHL
Former Teams:Dallas Stars
Position:Left wing
Shoots:Left
Birth Date:22 February 1991
Birth Place:Golden, British Columbia, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:205
Draft:159th overall
Draft Team:Dallas Stars
Draft Year:2009
Career Start:2013
Career End:present

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.

Playing career

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 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]

Personal life

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

  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2007–08BCHL4937108170119
2008–09Penticton VeesBCHL533034649010371013
2009–10Miami RedHawksCCHA426212788
2010–11Miami RedHawksCCHA38751257
2011–12Miami RedHawksCCHA405121760
2012–13Miami RedHawksCCHA3911132480
2012–135011142 0 0 0 0
2013–14Texas StarsAHL7527386592213111421
2014–15Texas StarsAHL316152146311218
2014–153641548
2015–16Texas StarsAHL6124315512041128
2015–16Dallas Stars NHL 300001 0 0 0 5
2016–17Dallas StarsNHL 536101672
2017–18Texas Stars AHL 512523487422 11 9 20 27
2017–18Dallas Stars NHL 702211
2018–19AHL 7120345411221 8 7 15 51
2019–20Chicago Wolves AHL 6117254236
2020–21AHL 26581335
2021–22Texas Stars AHL 72212950822 0 0 0 4
2022–23Texas Stars AHL 70223254838 3 2 5 4
2023–24Texas Stars AHL 63133548357 2 5 7 8
NHL totals9910132313110005

Awards and honours

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dallas Stars sign Curtis McKenzie to two-year entry-level contract . . April 10, 2014 . 10 April 2014.
  2. Web site: Kane, Versteeg each score 3 points as Blackhawks rally to defeat Stars . National Hockey League. November 16, 2014. November 17, 2014.
  3. Web site: Stars sign Curtis McKenzie to a two-year deal. sportsnet.ca. July 1, 2015. June 15, 2018.
  4. Web site: Curtis McKenzie signs one-year contract with Stars. National Hockey League. March 10, 2017. June 15, 2018.
  5. Web site: Vegas announces free agency signings . . July 1, 2018 . 1 July 2018.
  6. Web site: Blues sign McKenzie to one-year, two-way deal . . October 10, 2020 . October 11, 2020.
  7. Web site: Stars reunite with Curtis McKenzie on a two-year deal . . August 6, 2021 . August 6, 2021.
  8. muckbro16. 1031304487967883265. 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.
  9. Web site: Shapiro . Sean . Curtis McKenzie honored to be You Can Play ambassador . National Hockey League . February 24, 2019 . February 5, 2017.
  10. Web site: 2013–14 AHL All-Rookie Team announced . . March 21, 2014 . 21 March 2014 . June 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160601022007/http://theahl.com/2013-14-ahl-all-rookie-team-announced-p191597 . dead .