· Niagara Falls Public Library

Player Name

MacKenzie, Chris

Type

Builder

Sport

Hockey

Inducted

2019

Era

1991 - Present

Description

Chris MacKenzie dedicated many years of his life to the sports of ice hockey. His passion for the game was acquired while playing on Niagara Falls Minor Hockey teams. Chris developed great skating ability and outstanding skills that advanced him as a player with the Jr. "C" Chippawa Merchants, the Niagara Falls Jr "B" Canucks, Niagara University NCAA Division 1, and JYP Jyvaskyla in the professional Finnish Elite Hockey League (SM-LIIGA).
Team successes throughout Chris's playing career include: league championships with the Jr. "C" team, a Sutherland Cup Championship with Niagara Falls Jr. "B" Canucks (1996), NCAA Elite Eight, CHA, and ECAC Champions with Niagara University (1998 & 2000). Personal accomplishments include "Rookie of the Year" with Chippawa (1993), four years as team captain (1996-2000), and setting the all-time scoring record for defensemen at Niagara University. He was also selected "ECAC Player of the Year" (1998) and received First All-Star Team Honours (1998, 2000).
Upon retiring as a player, Chris devoted himself to coaching. In 2001, he was hired as an Assistant Coach at UMass Lowell (NCAAD1), and in 2009, Chris attained the head coaching position of the Niagara University's Women's Hockey Team. In 2012, Chris became Assistant Coach of The Ohio State University (NCAAD1) Women's Hockey Team, and then he advanced to Head Coach of the University of Connecticut Women's Hockey Team. In 2010, 2015, and 2016, Chris was recognized as a finalist for the "Coach of the Year Award" in NCAA Division 1 Women's University Hockey.
Chris MacKenzie's commitment to his sport as a player and coach has earned him a well-deserved place on the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame.

Subject

Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame
Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure