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
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
AHL team
Former teams
Texas Stars
Dallas Stars
NHL draft 159th overall, 2009
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2013–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
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Penticton Vees BCHL 49 3 7 10 81 7 0 1 1 9
2008–09 Penticton Vees BCHL 53 30 34 64 90 10 3 7 10 13
2009–10 Miami RedHawks CCHA 42 6 21 27 88
2010–11 Miami RedHawks CCHA 38 7 5 12 57
2011–12 Miami RedHawks CCHA 40 5 12 17 60
2012–13 Miami RedHawks CCHA 39 11 13 24 80
2012–13 Texas Stars AHL 5 0 1 1 14 2 0 0 0 0
2013–14 Texas Stars AHL 75 27 38 65 92 21 3 11 14 21
2014–15 Texas Stars AHL 31 6 15 21 46 3 1 1 2 18
2014–15 Dallas Stars NHL 36 4 1 5 48
2015–16 Texas Stars AHL 61 24 31 55 120 4 1 1 2 8
2015–16 Dallas Stars NHL 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5
2016–17 Dallas Stars NHL 53 6 10 16 72
2017–18 Texas Stars AHL 51 25 23 48 74 22 11 9 20 27
2017–18 Dallas Stars NHL 7 0 2 2 11
2018–19 Chicago Wolves AHL 71 20 34 54 112 21 8 7 15 51
2019–20 Chicago Wolves AHL 61 17 25 42 36
2020–21 Utica Comets AHL 26 5 8 13 35
2021–22 Texas Stars AHL 72 21 29 50 82 2 0 0 0 4
2022–23 Texas Stars AHL 70 22 32 54 83 8 3 2 5 4
2023–24 Texas Stars AHL 63 13 35 48 35 7 2 5 7 8
NHL totals 99 10 13 23 131 1 0 0 0 5

Awards and honours

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Award Year
AHL
All-Rookie Team 2014 [10]
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award 2014
Calder Cup (Texas Stars) 2014
All-Star Classic 2018

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