Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of the WHL
- Name: Matt MacKenzie
- Position: D
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Birthdate: 1991-10-15
- Eligible for Draft: 2010
- Drafted: 2010
- Hometown: New Westminster, British Columbia
- Acquired: 3rd round (83rd Overall), 2010
- Playing In: Pro
Matt MacKenzie
Prospect Grade: 6.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2007-08: MacKenzie, a second round pick of the Calgary Hitmen at the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft, played in 39 games for the Hitmen. He scored 2 goals and added 6 assists for 8 points. He finished the season with a +15 rating. In 6 playoff games for the Hitmen, MacKenzie scored 1 goals and added 2 assists for 3 points.
2008-09: In 49 games for the Hitmen, MacKenzie scored 3 goals and added 9 assists for 12 points. In 16 playoff games for the Hitmen, he registered 2 assists while posting a +7 rating.
2009-10: MacKenzie played in 64 games for the Hitmen, scoring 6 goals and adding 34 assists for 40 points. He was a +16 for the season while adding 62 penalty minutes to his totals. In the postseason, MacKenzie and his Hitmen teammates marched to the WHL Championship, with MacKenzie scoring 6 goals and adding 10 assists for 16 points in 23 games. He had a +9 rating and finsihed with 62 penalty minutes. MacKenzie played for Team Orr at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game.
2010-11: MacKenzie started the season with the Calgary Hitmen before being traded to the Tri-City Americans in a WHL trade deadline deal for two players and a draft pick. Between the two clubs he appeared in 73 games and scored 7 goals with 31 assists and was -9 plus/minus with 36 PMs. He was effective on the power play; scoring 5 of his 7 goals with the man advantage. In 10 playoff games for Tri-City, he scored 1 goal (power play) with 4 assists and was -1 with 6 PMs.
Talent Analysis
MacKenzie is very good two-way defenseman with some offensive upside. He was the captain of his Calgary WHL team until a mid season trade in 2010 resulted in him going to Tri-City. He is capable of playing in all situations on the ice and has some raw offensive ability that will develop over time. He is willing to sacrifice his body defensively and will even fight from time to time.
Future
MacKenzie has signed his first pro contract with the Sabres, so it now appears that he will start his pro career in the 2011-12 season. While he could play in Rochester, he may benefit from more playing time with the Sabres ECHL team in Gwinnett. MacKenzie will be brought along slowly by the Sabres as there are many talented young defensemen ahead of him on the depth chart, but he has the potential to be a steadying middle pairing defenseman in the NHL.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: November, 1st 2011
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