The Stars have lengthy been in a position to rely on their captain, Curtis McKenzie.
McKenzie was the AHL’s rookie of the 12 months in 2013-14 and helped Texas win the Calder Cup. He cut up the following 4 years between Texas and Dallas, showing in 99 NHL video games and making one other journey to the Calder Cup Finals in 2018. After three seasons away, he got here again to Cedar Park in 2021 and has been a fixture on and off the ice, this 12 months successful the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award for his area people and charitable work.
So with the Stars enjoying for his or her season on Friday evening, it was little shock that McKenzie got here via once more. His objective 2:09 into extra time prolonged Texas’ season and gave McKenzie 9 factors (5 targets, 4 assists) via 13 playoff video games.
Head coach Neil Graham is aware of nicely what McKenzie means to his staff.
“He lives for this second,” Graham stated. “You see his greatest hockey yearly within the postseason. He’s been to the Finals thrice. He understands what it takes. We have to keep within the second, and there’s no higher man to observe than your captain.”
After one other strong common season, his twelfth 12 months professional, McKenzie seemingly has discovered one other stage this postseason.
“That is what you need playoff hockey to be, particularly for these younger guys with how a lot they’re going to develop and take this with the remainder of their careers,” McKenzie stated. “The depth and physicality and the tight checking. It’s simply been nice hockey and a variety of enjoyable to play in, and we wish to hold it going.”
― with information from Patrick Williams
