Curtis McKenzie Bio
Curtis McKenzie is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and captain for 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. He has played professionally since 2013 and has been recognized for his leadership and contributions on the ice.
Early Life and Background
Curtis McKenzie was born on February 22, 1991, in Golden, British Columbia, Canada, to parents Bruce McKenzie and Sandra Becket. He attended Burnaby Mountain Secondary School in Burnaby, British Columbia, where he began to develop his skills in ice hockey. McKenzie started playing organized ice hockey with the Golden Minor Hockey Association, which laid the foundation for his future career in the sport.
Path to Hockey
McKenzie spent the 2005–06 season with the Burnaby Winter Club U15 team, where he played alongside notable players such as Landon Ferraro. Although drafted by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2006 Western Hockey League bantam draft, he opted to play with the Vancouver North West Hawks U18 team for the 2006–07 season. He then joined the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the 2007–08 season, where he contributed to the team’s success by finishing his rookie season with three goals and seven assists, helping them secure the BCHL League Championship title. McKenzie set new career-highs during the 2008–09 season, finishing with 30 goals and 34 assists for 64 points over 53 games. He was named to the BCHL Interior Conference All-Star Team and represented Team Canada West at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge, earning a silver medal.
Curtis McKenzie Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
McKenzie began his professional career in 2013 after signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars. He made his AHL debut on April 6, 2013, against the Hamilton Bulldogs, recording one point over five games. During the 2013–14 AHL season, he scored his first AHL goal on October 6, 2013, against the Rockford IceHogs. McKenzie quickly established himself as a key player, leading all rookies with 45 points through 49 games and finishing his rookie season with 27 goals and 38 assists. His outstanding performance earned him the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s Rookie of the Year and a spot on the AHL All-Rookie Team.
Breakthrough (2014–2016)
McKenzie made his NHL debut on October 18, 2014, against the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored his first NHL goal on November 16, 2014, against Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks. Over the following seasons, he continued to split time between the NHL and AHL, contributing significantly to the Texas Stars. In the 2016–17 season, he played the entirety of the season in the NHL, scoring seven goals and 11 assists before suffering an eye injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, McKenzie has been recognized for his contributions on the ice, including being named team captain of the Texas Stars. He reached numerous personal milestones, including his 150th AHL goal and 400th AHL point during the 2022–23 season, while also leading the team to the Calder Cup playoffs.
Curtis McKenzie Award Nominations
Curtis McKenzie has received various nominations throughout his career, particularly for his outstanding performance in the AHL, where he was recognized as a top rookie and later as a leader on his team.
Curtis McKenzie Awards Won
McKenzie has won several awards, including the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s Rookie of the Year and the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year.
Curtis McKenzie Family
Curtis McKenzie is married to Lucia Carr, with their wedding taking place on August 18, 2018, by Lake Louise in Alberta. He maintains a close relationship with his parents, Bruce McKenzie and Sandra Becket.
Personal Life
In addition to his hockey career, McKenzie has been involved in initiatives promoting equality in sports, such as the You Can Play Project. He was the first ambassador for the Dallas Stars for this initiative, which aligns with the NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone night.