John McKenzie (ice hockey) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John McKenzie
McKenzie in 2012
Born	(1937-12-12)December 12, 1937 High River, Alberta, Canada
Died	June 9, 2018(2018-06-09) (aged 80) Wakefield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	NHL Chicago Black Hawks Detroit Red Wings New York Rangers Boston Bruins WHA Philadelphia Blazers Vancouver Blazers Minnesota Fighting Saints Cincinnati Stingers New England Whalers
National team	Canada
Playing career	1958–1979

John Albert McKenzie (December 12, 1937 – June 9, 2018) was a Canadian professional hockey player and coach. He played many seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), especially with the Boston Bruins. With the Bruins, he won the Stanley Cup twice. He also played several seasons in another league called the World Hockey Association (WHA).

John McKenzie: A Hockey Star

John McKenzie was a talented hockey player known for his skill and tough play. His teammates gave him the nickname "Pieface" because he looked like a cartoon character. This was later shortened to "Pie."

Starting His Hockey Journey

John McKenzie played junior hockey for three years with the St. Catharines Teepees. This team was part of the OHA. In 1958, he was the top scorer in the league, leading in both goals and total points.

He made his first appearance in the NHL in the 1958–59 season with the Chicago Black Hawks. The next year, he moved to the Detroit Red Wings. He played there for two years. After that, he spent time in the minor leagues with teams like the Hershey Bears and the Buffalo Bisons. He was even named one of the best players in the American Hockey League in 1963.

Becoming a Boston Bruins Legend

McKenzie returned to the NHL with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1963–64. Later, in the 1965–66 season, he played for the New York Rangers. Halfway through that season, he was traded to the Boston Bruins, who were big rivals of the Rangers.

It was with the Bruins that McKenzie truly shined. He was a right wing, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. He became a star in the 1967–68 season, scoring 28 goals. He continued to score many goals in the following seasons. In the 1969–70 season, he was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team.

McKenzie was a key player when the Bruins won two Stanley Cup titles. They won in 1970 and again in 1972. In total, he scored 169 goals during his seven years in Boston.

The Famous "Choke Dance"

At the end of the 1972 Stanley Cup finals, the Bruins beat the New York Rangers 3-0. After the game, McKenzie skated to the center of the ice. He raised one arm like the Statue of Liberty. Then, he put his other hand around his neck, pretending to choke. He jumped up and down in a circle several times.

This move was a way to tease the Rangers and their fans. It suggested that the Rangers had "choked" or failed when they had their best chance to win the Stanley Cup. This became known as the "McKenzie Choke Dance."

Playing in the WHA

In the summer of 1972, McKenzie was not happy about being left unprotected in a draft. So, he decided to join the new World Hockey Association (WHA). He signed as a player-coach with the Philadelphia Blazers. He later played for the Minnesota Fighting Saints, the Cincinnati Stingers, and finally the New England Whalers.

He finished his long professional hockey career in the WHA's last season in 1978-79. He had played for 21 seasons in both the NHL and WHA.

Life After Playing Hockey

After retiring from playing, John McKenzie continued to be involved in hockey. In 2007, he coached the Berklee Ice Cats. This was a new hockey team at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Later, he worked to help develop hockey at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

John McKenzie passed away at his home in Wakefield, Massachusetts, on June 9, 2018. He was 80 years old and had been ill for a while.

Amazing Achievements and Legacy

John McKenzie left a lasting mark on hockey.

• He played in 477 WHA games, which is the 7th most all-time. He scored 163 goals and had 250 assists in the WHA.
• He was chosen to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 1970 and 1972.
• He played for Team Canada in the 1974 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. This was a special series of games between top players from Canada and the Soviet Union.
• His jersey number, #19, was retired by the Hartford Whalers. This is very special because he never actually played for that team! He is one of only three players to have their number retired by an NHL team they didn't play for.
• In 2010, he was one of the first people chosen to be in the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame.

Awards and Honours

John McKenzie received several important awards and honours during his career:

• Buffalo Bisons
  • Calder Cup: 1963
• NHL
  • Stanley Cup: 1970, 1972
• Boston Bruins
  • Named One of the Top 100 Best Bruins Players of all Time.