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 | March 7, 1981 Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada |
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| 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 had an 11-year career, including time in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Avalanche.
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Aaron MacKenzie's Hockey Journey
Starting in Junior and College Hockey
Aaron MacKenzie was not chosen in the NHL draft, which is when teams pick young players. Before turning professional, he played junior hockey for the Thunder Bay Flyers in the USHL. After that, he played college hockey for four years at the University of Denver. He played for their team, the Pioneers, in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Turning Professional
After finishing college, Aaron became a professional player. He signed a contract with the St. Louis Blues on October 6, 2003. He started his professional career in the 2003–04 season. He played for the Worcester IceCats, which was a team linked to the Blues in the AHL. Even though he never played a game for the St. Louis Blues, Aaron became a regular player in the AHL. He played for teams connected to the Blues for five years.
Playing in the NHL
On July 14, 2008, Aaron MacKenzie signed with the Colorado Avalanche. He was sent to play for their AHL team, the Lake Erie Monsters, at the start of the 2008–09 season. On November 29, 2008, he was called up to the NHL for the first time. However, he didn't play in a game for the Avalanche at that time.
Later in the season, on April 4, 2009, he was called up again. Aaron made his official NHL debut on April 5, 2009. This was in a game where the Avalanche won 4–1 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Playing Overseas
After his time with the Avalanche, Aaron MacKenzie played for different teams. On October 19, 2009, he signed with the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL. After playing only three games there, he left to play in Europe.
On November 2, 2009, he joined HC Pardubice in the Czech Extraliga in the Czech Republic. Aaron became a strong defensive player for the team. He played 29 games and helped Pardubice win the championship. This was their first championship win since 2005.
On June 16, 2010, Aaron left Pardubice. He signed a one-year contract with an Austrian team, EHC Black Wings Linz, in the EBEL league. He then spent the 2011–12 season playing for the Tohoku Free Blades in Japan. This team was part of the Asia League Ice Hockey.
Returning to North America and Retirement
On June 12, 2012, Aaron MacKenzie signed with the Central Hockey League's Denver Cutthroats. He was the very first player to sign with this new team. He played two seasons as the captain of the Cutthroats. After helping them reach the finals, Aaron decided to retire from his professional hockey career.
Awards and Honors
Aaron MacKenzie received several awards during his college hockey career:
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| College | |
| All-WCHA Third Team | 2001–02 |
| All-WCHA First Team | 2002–03 |
