Aaron MacKenzie

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 season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1998–99 Thunder Bay Flyers USHL 49 8 12 20 123 3 0 1 1 0 1999–00 U. of Denver WCHA 40 1 9 10 56 — — — — — 2000–01 U. of Denver WCHA 37 2 6 8 45 — — — — — 2001–02 U. of Denver WCHA 39 5 18 23 30 — — — — — 2002–03 U. of Denver WCHA 41 11 21 32 33 — — — — — 2003–04 Worcester IceCats AHL 66 5 9 14 108 10 0 2 2 10 2004–05 Worcester IceCats AHL 75 2 13 15 106 — — — — — 2005–06 Peoria Rivermen AHL 51 2 7 9 35 4 0 0 0 6 2006–07 Peoria Rivermen AHL 67 1 6 7 46 — — — — — 2007–08 Peoria Rivermen AHL 55 0 5 5 20 — — — — — 2008–09 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 52 3 9 12 50 — — — — — 2008–09 Colorado Avalanche NHL 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2009–10 Idaho Steelheads ECHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2009–10 HC Pardubice CZE 29 0 1 1 24 6 0 1 1 8 2010–11 EHC Black Wings Linz EBEL 49 3 7 10 100 5 0 0 0 0 2011–12 Tohoku Free Blades ALH 36 9 14 23 36 — — — — — 2012–13 Denver Cutthroats CHL 20 4 6 10 10 — — — — — 2013–14 Denver Cutthroats CHL 59 8 17 25 52 16 2 4 6 14 2014–15 Sun Valley Suns BDHL 4 2 2 4 2 — — — — — NHL totals 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — — AHL totals 366 13 49 62 365 14 0 2 2 16

Awards and honors Award Year College All-WCHA Third Team 2001–02 All-WCHA First Team 2002–03