Aaron MacKenzie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aaron MacKenzie |
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![]() MacKenzie with the Peoria Rivermen in 2007
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Born | Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada |
March 7, 1981 ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) | ||
Position | Defence | ||
Shot | Left | ||
Played for | Colorado Avalanche HC Pardubice EHC Black Wings Linz Tohoku Free Blades |
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NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||
Playing career | 2003–2015 |
Aaron G. MacKenzie was born on March 7, 1981, in Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada. He is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Aaron played as a defenceman, which is a player who helps protect their team's goal. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Avalanche during his 11-year career.
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Aaron's Hockey Journey
Aaron MacKenzie was not chosen in the NHL draft, but he still had a great hockey career. He started by playing junior hockey with the Thunder Bay Flyers. After that, he played college hockey for four years at the University of Denver.
Starting Professional Hockey
After college, Aaron became a professional player. He signed with the St. Louis Blues team on October 6, 2003. He began his professional career in the AHL during the 2003–04 season. He played for the Worcester IceCats, which was a team connected to the Blues. Even though he never played a game for the St. Louis Blues, Aaron became a regular player in the AHL. He played for Blues-affiliated teams for five years.
Reaching the NHL
On July 14, 2008, Aaron signed with the Colorado Avalanche. He was sent to their AHL team, the Lake Erie Monsters, to start the 2008–09 season. Aaron was called up to the NHL for the first time on November 29, 2008, but he didn't play in a game then. Later that season, on April 4, 2009, he was called up again. He made his NHL debut on April 5, 2009, in a game where the Avalanche won 4–1 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Playing Overseas
After his time with the Avalanche, Aaron played for the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL for a short period. Then, he moved to Europe. On November 2, 2009, he signed with HC Pardubice in the Czech Extraliga in the Czech Republic. He became a strong defensive player there. He played 29 games and helped his team win the championship, which was their first since 2005.
On June 16, 2010, Aaron left Pardubice. He signed a one-year contract with an Austrian team called EHC Black Wings Linz in the EBEL league. He also spent the 2011-2012 season playing in Japan for the Tohoku Free Blades in the Asia League Ice Hockey.
Captain and Retirement
On June 12, 2012, Aaron signed with the Denver Cutthroats in the Central Hockey League. He was the very first player to sign with that team! He played two seasons as the captain of the Cutthroats. After leading them to the finals, Aaron decided to retire from his professional hockey career.
Awards and Honors
Aaron MacKenzie received some special awards during his college hockey career:
Award | Year | |
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College | ||
All-WCHA Third Team | 2001–02 | |
All-WCHA First Team | 2002–03 |