Curtis McKenzie
Image: BCHL

Curtis McKenzie

Hometown:

Golden British Columbia

Team:

Dallas Stars

Currently Playing In:

NCAA

Birthday:

1991-02-22

Position:

LW

Eligible for draft:

2009

Shoots:

Left

Drafted:

2009

Height:

6-2

Acquired:

6th Round (159th Overall), 2009

Weight:

192 lbs.

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2007-08: McKenzie played for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.  In 49 games, McKenzie scored 3 goals and added 7 assists while racking up 81 penalty minutes.

2008-09: McKenzie, playing for Penticton, elevated his game this season.  In 53 games for the Vees, he scored 30 goals and added 34 assists to go along with 90 penalty minutes.  Played for the Canada West entry at the 2008 World Junior Challenge Cup.

McKenzie had an opportunity to play in the Western Hockey League but chose to go the college route.

2009-10: McKenzie finished with 6 goals and 21 assists in 42 games with Miami University(NCAA). It was his Freshman year with the school.

2010-11: After an impressive 27-point freshman campaign, Curtis McKenzie left a little to be desired in his sophomore season.   His scoring total was cut by more than half and the high work rate that he showed in his first year wasn’t fully there in what turned out to be a championship season for the Redhawks.  McKenzie was pushed down the lineup and rarely gave much of a reason to move him up.  He has a fair amount of potential as he’s just 20 years old – but he’ll need to capitalize on the ice time made available to him next year due to graduations.

2011-12: McKenzie saw steady ice-time in a second and third line role for Miami University as a junior. He scored 5 goals with 12 assists and was plus-10 with 60 penalty minutes in 40 games. Miami finished fourth in the CCHA and received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament after defeating Bowling Green in the CCHA third place game.

 

Talent Analysis

A leader and hard worker in the BCHL, McKenzie hasn’t quite brought the same level of intensity night in and night out to the Miami Redhawks.  Not a terrific skater, but can make up for it with his strength.  When he’s working hard, he can be a threat at both ends of the ice but his offensive ceiling is somewhat limited.  He can kill penalties, be a physical force, win puck battles, do fine board work but there isn’t a lot in the organic offense department.  If he continues to add strength, become a more consistent worker and focus on becoming a defensive specialist, he could carve out a useful NHL career.

Potential: Third line checking winger, like a slightly less talented version of Daniel Winnik.

 

Future

Attends Miami University.

 

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