Hot on the heels of tallying his first goal, power forward (a designation I’m assigning whimsically today) Curtis McKenzie has been sent back down to the AHL, presumably to get some more playing time as well as make way for Ryan Garbutt’s return to the lineup.
After splitting scratches with Colton Sceviour, the addition of Travis Moen has further boxed out McKenzie for the time being, although his reassignment was delayed with Garbutt’s recent injury. However, with #16 apparently ready to return, McKenzie will benefit from the increased playing time on an AHL club that is struggling mightily after their defense has been plundered by Dallas in a big way.
McKenzie looked good during most of his time with the big club, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him up again in the not-too-distant-future this season. McKenzie’s size and net presence are a valuable asset that the Stars will doubtless take advantage of down the stretch.
Here is the press release:
Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has reassigned left wing Curtis McKenzie to the Texas Stars, Dallas’ development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).
McKenzie, 23, has appeared in nine games for Dallas in 2014-15, scoring his first-career NHL goal on Nov. 16, 2014 against the Chicago Blackhawks. He also played in his first-career NHL game on Oct. 18 against the Philadelphia Flyers. In five games with Texas this season, McKenzie has registered four points (2-2=4) and 13 shots on goal.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound native of Golden, British Columbia was selected by Dallas in the sixth round (159th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft.