Aaron G. MacKenzie (born March 7, 1981, in Terrace Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Avalanche, during an 11-year career.

Playing career

Undrafted, MacKenzie played junior hockey with the Thunder Bay Flyers of the USHL, before playing collegiate hockey with the University of Denver for four years. After his senior year with the Pioneers, MacKenzie turned pro signing with the St. Louis Blues on October 6, 2003.

MacKenzie made his professional debut in the 2003–04 season with Blues affiliate, the Worcester IceCats of the AHL. While never playing a game with the Blues, Mackenzie became a fixture in the AHL, playing with the Blues affiliates for 5 years.

On July 14, 2008, MacKenzie signed with the Colorado Avalanche and was assigned to affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, to start the 2008–09 season. MacKenzie received his first NHL recall on November 29, 2008, but did not feature in a game for the Avalanche. Towards the end of the season, MacKenzie was recalled again to the Avalanche on April 4, 2009, and made his NHL debut in a 4–1 victory against the Vancouver Canucks on April 5, 2009.

Unsigned prior to the 2009-10 season, MacKenzie signed with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL on October 19, 2009. After appearing in 3 games with the Steelheads, Aaron left the team to sign with HC Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga on November 2, 2009. MacKenzie settled as a stay-at-home defender in the Czech Republic and appeared in 29 games to help, the Dominik Hašek inspired Pardubice, capture the Championship for the first time since 2005.

On June 16, 2010, Mackenzie left Pardubice and signed as a free agent to a one-year contract with Austrian team, EHC Black Wings Linz of the EBEL.

MacKenzie spent the 2011-2012 season with the Tohoku Free Blades of the Asia League Ice Hockey in Hachinohe, Japan.

On June 12, 2012, MacKenzie signed with the Central Hockey League's Denver Cutthroats, making him the first signed player in franchise history. After two seasons as captain of the Cutthroats, coming off a finals appearance, MacKenzie retired from his professional career.

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1998–99Thunder Bay FlyersUSHL498122012330110
1999–00U. of DenverWCHA40191056—————
2000–01U. of DenverWCHA3726845—————
2001–02U. of DenverWCHA395182330—————
2002–03U. of DenverWCHA4111213233—————
2003–04Worcester IceCatsAHL6659141081002210
2004–05Worcester IceCatsAHL7521315106—————
2005–06Peoria RivermenAHL512793540006
2006–07Peoria RivermenAHL6716746—————
2007–08Peoria RivermenAHL5505520—————
2008–09Lake Erie MonstersAHL52391250—————
2008–09Colorado AvalancheNHL50000—————
2009–10Idaho SteelheadsECHL30002—————
2009–10HC PardubiceCZE290112460118
2010–11EHC Black Wings LinzEBEL49371010050000
2011–12Tohoku Free BladesALH369142336—————
2012–13Denver CutthroatsCHL20461010—————
2013–14Denver CutthroatsCHL5981725521624614
2014–15Sun Valley SunsBDHL42242—————
NHL totals50000—————
AHL totals3661349623651402216

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-WCHA Third Team2001–02
All-WCHA First Team2002–03

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or , or
Awards and achievements
Preceded byJordan LeopoldWCHA Defensive Player of the Year 2002–03 With: Joe CullenSucceeded byRyan Caldwell