Chris MacKenzie (ice hockey)

Chris MacKenzie
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamUConn
ConferenceHockey East
Record177–165–48
Biographical details
Born (1975-02-15) February 15, 1975 (age 49)
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Alma materNiagara University
Playing career
1996–2000Niagara
2000–2001JYP
Position(s)Defenceman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2001–2008UMass Lowell (Assistant)
2009–2011Niagara
2012–2013Ohio State (Assistant)
2014–presentUConn
Head coaching record
Overall200–196–58
Accomplishments and honors
Awards

Chris MacKenzie (born February 15, 1975) is a Canadian ice hockey coach. He is the current head coach for UConn. He previously served as the head coach for Niagara.

Playing career

MacKenzie helped start the Niagara Purple Eagles men's ice hockey program in 1996. He captained the Purple Eagles for four seasons and holds several records at Niagara, including the record for most points by a defenseman in one season with 32 points in 2000. Following the season he was named to the All-CHA first team.[1] He is also the program's all-time leader for goals (20), assists (77) and points (97) by a defenseman.[2] Following his collegiate career he played one year for JYP of the SM-liiga.[3]

Coaching career

Following his playing career, MacKenzie served as an assistant coach at UMass Lowell for eight years.[4]

Niagara University

On May 20, 2009, MacKenzie was named the second head coach at Niagara in program history. [5] He served as head coach for two years and compiled a 24–31–10 record. He resigned as head coach on August 23, 2011.[6][7]

University of Connecticut

On May 2, 2013, MacKenzie was named head coach at UConn.[8][1] On December 15, 2022, he signed a six-year contract extension at UConn.[9] With a win on January 17, 2024, MacKenzie became the winningest coach in program history, surpassing the previous record of 163 wins held by Heather Linstad.[10]

During the 2023–24 season, MacKenzie led the Huskies to a program best 25–8–5 record, and their first Hockey East regular season championship in program history.[11][12] The Huskies also won the Hockey East tournament and advanced to the NCAA women's ice hockey tournament for the first time in program history.[13] Following an outstanding season, he was named the AHCA Coach of the Year.[14][15]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Niagara University (CHA) (2009–2011)
2009–10 Niagara 12–14–5 7–6–3 2nd
2010–11 Niagara 11–17–5 8–6–2 2nd
Niagara: 23–31–10
University of Connecticut (Hockey East) (2013–present)
2013–14 UConn 9–24–2 6–14–1 5th
2014–15 UConn 11–18–8 5–11–5 5th
2015–16 UConn 18–15–5 11–10–3 4th
2016–17 UConn 14–18–4 9–13–2 7th
2017–18 UConn 16–14–9 7–11–6 8th
2018–19 UConn 14–18–4 9–14–4 7th
2019–20 UConn 19–18–2 13–12–2 5th
2020–21 UConn 9–10–1 8–9–1 7th
2021–22 UConn 24–9–4 16–7–4 3rd
2022–23 UConn 18–13–4 12–11–4 5th
2023–24 UConn 25–8–5 19–4–4 1st NCAA first round
UConn: 177–165–48 115–166–36
Total: 200–196–58

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

  1. ^ a b "Chris MacKenzie". uconnhuskies.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Baldwin, Thomas (January 19, 2016). "Celebrating 20 years of NU hockey: The All-Time team". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  3. ^ "Coaches Week: Chris MacKenzie is all about the team culture". The Daily Campus. April 16, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "Ice Hockey: MacKenzie Named Head Coach of Niagara Women's Hockey". goriverhawks.com. May 21, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "MacKenzie Appointed As Women's Hockey Coach". purpleeagles.com. May 20, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "MacKenzie Resigns As Head Coach". purpleeagles.com. August 23, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Beutel, Nate (August 23, 2011). "MacKenzie resigns at NU". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Chris MacKenzie Named UConn Women's Hockey Coach". Hartford Courant. May 2, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Dayton, Kels (December 15, 2022). "UConn, women's hockey coach Chris Mackenzie agree on terms for new six-year contract". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "Head Coach Chris MacKenzie Becomes Winningest Coach in Program History". uconnhuskies.com. January 17, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "Women's Weekly Release: UConn Wins First Regular Season Crown in Program History". hockeyeastonline.com. February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  12. ^ Amore, Don (March 5, 2014). "Give it up for Chris MacKenzie, Dad-joking mastermind behind UConn's rise in women's hockey". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "No. 1 Seed Huskies Win Hockey East Championship for First Time in Program History". uconnhuskies.com. March 9, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "UConn women's hockey's Chris MacKenzie named National Coach of the Year". Hartford Courant. March 21, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Coach Mackenzie Named National Coach of The Year". uconnhuskies.com. March 21, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.