WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Bolster Blue Line in Deal for Hitmen's Mackenzie

Published on January 10, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the team has acquired 19-year-old defenseman Matt MacKenzie from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for 18-year-old forward Brooks Macek, 18-year-old defenseman Spencer Humphries and a conditional 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft.

MacKenzie, the 6'2 194-pound blue liner, was a third-round (83rd overall) selection by the Buffalo Sabers in the 2010 NHL Draft. This season, the Calgary, Alberta-native has appeared in 40 games and registered two goals, 23 points and 50 penalty minutes. For his WHL career, MacKenzie has appeared in 192 games, all with the Hitmen, totaling 13 goals, 83 points and 144 penalty minutes. The Hitmen's 2nd round (41st overall) pick in the 2006 Bantam Draft, MacKenzie was a pivotal piece of Calgary's Memorial Cup run last season, appearing in 23 playoff games while recording six goals, 16 points and 31 penalty minutes en route to the WHL Championship.

"Anytime you have an opportunity to get a defenseman of MacKenzie's ability and experience, you have to take a serious look at it," Tory explained. "We have added a premier defensive player in MacKenzie to our lineup and look forward to seeing Matt in an Americans' jersey."

Macek, listed at 5'11 175 pounds, was Tri-City's 2nd round (43rd overall) pick from the 2007 Bantam Draft. This season, the center from Winnipeg, Manitoba has appeared in all 38 games for Tri-City while recording eight goals, 24 points and 26 penalty minutes. For his career, the 2010 Detroit Red Wings draft pick (6th, 171st) has played in 170 WHL games, all with Tri-City, picking up 37 goals, 121 points and 76 penalty minutes.

Humphries, who was listed by Tri-City in September of 2007, has appeared in a career-high 34 games this season, totaling two goals, five points and 50 penalty minutes. The 6'2 210 lb. defenseman from Delta, British Columbia, who has 38 total WHL games on his resume, was a non-drafted invitee to the San Jose Sharks camp this past fall.

"By making this deal, we give up a quality forward in Macek and a hard working defenseman in Humphries," continued Tory. "We value all the hard work both Brooks and Spencer have put into this organization and we wish them all the best in Calgary."

MacKenzie should arrive in Kennewick on Tuesday and is expected to make his Tri-City debut on Friday, January 14 vs. the Kamloops Blazers.

In the midst of a four-game home stand, Tri-City will host the Seattle Thunderbirds tomorrow, January 11. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Toyota Center. The Americans, who took out the T'birds 8-4 last week in Kennewick, have won six straight against Seattle this season and will look to stretch their home winning streak to nine games. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including online at ticketmaster.com, the Toyota Center box office, or all Fred Meyer outlets. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2011


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