Derek MacKenzie was born on June 11,1981 and is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who most notably played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.
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Derek MacKenzie was drafted 128th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
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Derek MacKenzie played in the American Hockey League for Columbus' and Atlanta's farm teams, the Syracuse Crunch and Chicago Wolves respectively.
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Derek MacKenzie set franchise records in career shorthanded goals for both AHL teams.
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Derek MacKenzie is currently an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers, whom he previously served as captain of from 2016 to 2018.
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Derek MacKenzie made his NHL debut for the Thrashers during the season, against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 12,2002.
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Derek MacKenzie returned later in the season and helped the Wolves to the franchise's 500th win.
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Derek MacKenzie finished the season playing 36 games and registering 10 goals and 22 points, while the Wolves finished with 86 points and missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
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Derek MacKenzie spent one more season in the Thrashers system before becoming a free agent.
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Derek MacKenzie set a franchise record for shorthanded goals with 21.
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Derek MacKenzie began the season in the AHL playing for the Syracuse Crunch.
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Derek MacKenzie made his Blue Jackets debut on December 10,2007, against the Anaheim Ducks; he was reassigned to Syracuse the following day.
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Derek MacKenzie's +14 was the highest for a forward and third-highest total in Blue Jackets history.
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Towards the end of the season, Derek MacKenzie suffered a concussion and missed the final 16 games of the season.
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Derek MacKenzie finished with 7 goals and 14 points in a career-high 66 games while leading the Blue Jackets with a +4 rating.
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On July 1,2014, Derek MacKenzie signed a three-year contract as a free agent with the Florida Panthers.
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Internationally, Derek MacKenzie represented Canada at the 2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
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