Fri 16 Jun 2023 - 07:00AM
PANTHERS SIGN MCKENZIE ON TWO-WAY CONTRACT
The Nottingham Panthers have signed British forward Zaine McKenzie on a two-way contract with NIHL side Telford Tigers.
McKenzie, 19, spent some of last season training with the Panthers and made his debut in the third v fourth-placed playoff game against Sheffield Steelers, getting an assist on Nottingham's first goal.
The Coventry-born forward played for the Nottingham Ice Hockey Club junior system, playing for both the under-15s and under-18s.
McKenzie has been in the NIHL for the past two years icing for Milton Keynes Lightning and also Bees IHC, where at the age of 18 he scored 13 (5+8) in 20 matches.
He's also a junior Great Britain international and played in the past two Under-20 World Championship tournaments, helping GB win a silver (2022) and bronze medal (2023).
"I enjoyed my time training with the team last season and really cherished it," McKenzie said. "It has made me want to push even harder and push to the next level.
"Any opportunity that comes up I will grab it with both hands, give my all and try and do my thing."
McKenzie left the UK at the age of just 16 to play for two years in North America at the Ontario Hockey Academy.
"It was very hard to leave my family when I was 16 but it was an amazing experience," continued McKenzie.
"It was an opportunity I could not turn down. I learnt out there the importance of going to the gym, eating right and I made some lifelong friends.
"It taught me a lot of life lessons. It was when the ball started rolling and I really realised that I wanted to be a professional hockey player.
"It was an experience I will remember forever and definitely something I would recommend to any young player."
Panthers Head Coach, Jonathan Paredes, said: "Zaine is a hard-working forward with a very good future.
"He was training with the Panthers last season and I know he developed a lot throughout his time with the club. We are excited to have him on a two-way contract next season."
Player sponsorship packages are available for the 2023-24 season. Please contact sarah@panthers.co.uk for further information.
Signing news brought to you in association with 2fawcett Recruitment.
