McKenzie was brought to the NHL at the start of the 2014-15 season, ostensibly to add a little toughness to the Dallas Stars lineup, and that's exactly what he has provided.
Though he played in just 36 games, McKenzie ranked fifth on the Stars in penalty minutes with 48. Most of those came as a result of six fighting majors, but he has proved capable of providing more than just toughness to a lineup.
McKenzie was brought to the NHL at the start of the 2014-15 season, ostensibly to add a little toughness to the Dallas Stars lineup, and that's exactly what he has provided.
Though he played in just 36 games, McKenzie ranked fifth on the Stars in penalty minutes with 48. Most of those came as a result of six fighting majors, but he has proved capable of providing more than just toughness to a lineup.
A power forward who plays with a snarl and displays a willingness to dig in the corners, McKenzie also has a knack for scoring, particularly as a net-front presence on the power play.
During his first season as a minor pro with Texas of the American Hockey League, McKenzie scored 27 goals and 65 points and had a plus-seven rating in 75 games during the 2013-14 season.
He scored 14 points (three goals) and produced a plus-21 rating in 21 playoff games to help Texas win the Calder Cup, and he won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as 2014 AHL Rookie of the Year.
An All-AHL rookie selection as well in 2014, McKenzie scored 21 points (six goals) in 31 games the following season while splitting time between Texas and Dallas.
A sixth-round pick (No. 159) of the Stars in the 2009 NHL Draft, McKenzie came to the NHL following four years at Miami (Ohio) University.
In 159 NCAA games, McKenzie scored 29 goals, 80 points and accrued 285 penalty minutes. He made the jump to the pros following his senior season in 2012-13.
On April 12, 2013, the Stars signed McKenzie to a two-year, entry-level contract, and he made his NHL debut on Oct. 18, 2014 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
