Okanagan's Mackenzie signed by WHL's Red Deer Rebels

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Okanagan College and the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League are generally recognized as a places for young players to continue their careers following junior hockey, but for Coyotes first year forward Marc Mackenzie the story has played our differently.

Following a successful fall semester with the Coyotes, Mackenzie, a Kelowna Minor Hockey graduate, has been signed to play for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.

After splitting last season between the WHL and the Kelowna Chiefs of the KIJHL, Mackenzie, 18, decided to attend Okanagan College this past fall, with the opportunity to play for the Coyotes playing a significant role in his decision.

"Coach (Kim) Barnstable was someone I had heard great things about, and it just made sense for me to come to OC so I could begin my studies and play a key role for a good hockey team,” said Mackenzie of his decision.

Developing credibility and a higher quality of hockey by the season, the BCIHL has proven to be a terrific league for players who choose to pursue their academic goals after finishing their hockey careers at a variety of junior levels. It is extremely rare, however, to see a player in the BCIHL with junior age eligibility play so strongly that it attracts the scouts of the top junior league in Canada, the WHL.

With Mackenzie standing 6’3 and 195 lbs, and registering 8 points and 51 penalty minutes through 11 games, the Red Deer Rebels saw an opportunity to fill a void in their own roster, and an element in Mackenzie’s game that could fill such a hole.

"Red Deer had a rash of injuries this year, particularly to some of their big bodies, and inquired about Marc at the start of the season,” said Coyotes GM Kolby Barnstable. “He was enrolled in classes and flourishing as a player for us this first semester, but when the Rebels called again we felt it was a great fit for Marc."

With a 8-2-2 record the first half of the year, the Coyotes have had much to cheer about thus far, but when speaking to team management, the excitement for Mackenzie was undeniable, despite the power forward providing such a key element to the team's success.

"We want to help our younger players develop as hockey players, but most importantly as men. We really do want to see all of our players reach their potential on and off the ice and we are beyond thrilled Marc has this opportunity to further himself in this game," said Barnstable.

Mackenzie was looked towards to play a specific role for the Coyotes, one that he figures to play again for Red Deer.

"I really enjoyed that role of being a power forward, an energy guy who finishes his checks and provides a boost for my teammates in all situations. I am hoping to turn that up a notch for the Rebels, using a lot of what I have learned from Coach Kim at OC."

Mackenzie figures an adjustment period is inevitable as he makes his transition back to the WHL but he believes his level of preparation has improved as a result of his time with the Okanagan College team.

"I will be playing largely against younger guys and the style is quite different, but OC is putting together an awesome organization. Without some of the things I learned from Coach, I wouldn’t be heading to Red Deer, as well as some of the things I picked up from my teammates on the Coyotes.”