May 21, 2009
LOWELL, Mass. - Longtime UMass Lowell assistant coach Chris MacKenzie was named the head coach of the Niagara University women's hockey program on Wednesday.
MacKenzie, who is a 2000 graduate of Niagara University, spent the last eight years as an assistant coach at UMass Lowell under head coach Blaise MacDonald.
MacKenzie, a Niagara Falls, Ont. native, was a founding member of the Purple Eagles program, and was the team's captain in each of his four years from 1996-2000.
"I am very excited for the opportunity, not only to become a head coach, but also to come back to my alma mater," MacKenzie said. "I grew up in the area, and to be able to come home and serve Niagara University is a tremendous honor.
"My wife Allison and I are really looking forward to moving to Western New York and starting our family there. I'm ready for this challenge. I'm really looking forward to it."
As an assistant at UMass Lowell, MacKenzie assisted on all facets for the program from practice and games, to scouting and recruiting for the River Hawks. He also coordinated the team's community service projects, and was the River Hawks academic coordinator.
The River Hawks have had 11 or more members on the Hockey East All-Academic team in each of the last four years, including a league-record 17 in 2004-05.
MacKenzie holds seven Niagara records as a player. He is the program's all-time leader for goals (20), assists (77) and points (97) by a defenseman.
Following graduation in 2000, MacKenzie played professionally for JYP Jyvaskyla in the Finnish Elite League. He obtained his Masters in Social Psychology from UMass Lowell in 2003.
MacKenzie is the second head coach in Niagara women's hockey history.
"It's a great opportunity for Chris to go back to his college hockey roots," said MacDonald. "He's worked hard for this wonderful opportunity. We're very grateful for the significant contributions he's made to advance the UMass Lowell hockey program during his eight years with us."
The River Hawks finished 20-16-2 overall record in 2008-09. UML finished fifth in Hockey East with a 14-11-2 league mark and advanced to the Hockey East championship game for the second time in program history in 2009.
During MacKenzie's tenure as an assistant at UMass Lowell the River Hawks won 20 games three times, reached the Hockey East playoffs seven times.
"My time in Lowell has gone by very quickly," said MacKenzie. "I've grown as a person and met my wife in Lowell. Words can't describe the experience I had here. I appreciate the opportunity to not only play for, but coach with Blaise MacDonald. He's had an immeasurable impact on my life. I'll forever be grateful.
"We've always asked our players to leave Lowell a better place when they leave," MacKenzie added. "I feel I've been able to contribute in a way that I'm leaving Lowell now in a great place. I'm very satisfied with that."
