NU women hire McKenzie
Chris McKenzie, who came to Niagara University in 1996 at the start of the men’s hockey program, has been named head women’s hockey coach of the Purple Eagles. McKenzie succeeds Margot Page, whose contract was not renewed after NU posted a losing record for the fourth season in a row, three with Page on the bench.
“Chris brings us the discipline and passion we need to return our program to prominence,” Niagara Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin said in announcing the hiring. “The key in this search was finding someone who understood Niagara University and could build success in all aspects of the program. Chris’ experience in creating success as a student athlete and as a coach will put us back on the level where we want to be.”
McKenzie, a native of Niagara Falls, Ont., spent the last eight years as assistant men’s coach at UMass-Lowell under Blaise MacDonald, who was his head coach at Niagara.
Niagara was 9-22-4 last season, 3-10 in College Hockey America. The Purple Eagles’ most successful season was 2001-2002, when they reached the NCAA Frozen Four with a 26-8-2 record, but there has been only one winning season since, 16-15-3 in 2004-05.
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