Chris MacKenzie (ice hockey)
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| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | UConn |
| Conference | Hockey East |
| Record | 227–186–52 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | February 15, 1975 Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
| Alma mater | Niagara University |
| Playing career | |
| 1996–2000 | Niagara |
| 2000–2001 | JYP |
| Position | Defenceman |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2001–2008 | UMass Lowell (Assistant) |
| 2009–2011 | Niagara |
| 2012–2013 | Ohio State (Assistant) |
| 2014–present | UConn |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 250–217–62 |
| 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.
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]