Jim McKenzie (ice hockey, born 1984)

Jim McKenzie (born June 10, 1984 in Saint Paul, Minnesota) is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.

Playing career

McKenzie played his High School Hockey at Hill Murray High School and he played youth hockey in Woodbury, Minnesota. McKenzie first played junior hockey with United States National Team Development Program in 2000. The following year in 2001 he started with Team USA before moving to play more regularly in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers and later the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Jim was drafted 141st overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He then entered Michigan State University, playing three collegiate seasons in the CCHA helping the Spartans capture the 2007 NCAA Ice Hockey National Championship.

On July 3, 2007, Mckenzie signed a two-year entry level contract with the Ottawa Senators. He was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, for his first professional season in 2007–08. Jim spent the majority of the season with ECHL affiliate, the Elmira Jackals, after he was reassigned by Binghamton. In the 2008–09 season, McKenzie returned to Binghamton for the entirety of the year and played in 44 games, registering just 5 points.

In the 2009–10 season Mckenzie, a free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL on October 27, 2009. Jim played in 55 contests in the farewell season of the Chiefs placing fourth on the team in scoring with 40 points while also enjoying a brief call-up with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL.

McKenzie followed the Chiefs franchise with his contract rights retained by the Greenville Road Warriors on July 2, 2010. Prior to the 2010-11 season, he was traded by the Road Warriors to the Stockton Thunder in exchange for Igor Gongalsky on August 26, 2010.

After playing the 2011–12 season with the Allen Americans in the Central Hockey League, McKenzie returned to the ECHL, signing a one-year deal with the Trenton Titans on September 4, 2012. McKenzie started the 2012–13 season, on the injured list and upon return to health was taken by the Evansville IceMen. He played 12 games with the IceMen before he was again passed around the ECHL and taken by the Reading Royals. Without suiting up for the Royals McKenzie opted to return to the Allen Americans of the CHL and signed a contract for the remainder of the season on February 15, 2013 helping the team win the Ray Myron Cup Championship.

Prior to the 2013–14 season, McKenzie signed with the Quad City Mallards of the Central Hockey League but was called up to the Iowa Wild of the AHL, contributing with 8 points in 26 games.

On September 16, 2014, McKenzie signed a one-year contract to return to the ECHL with the Bakersfield Condors. McKenzie was also given an invitation to attend AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons training camp.

Career statistics