Everblades add experience to blue line with Mackenzie

ESTERO, Fla. - Florida Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush along with Head Coach Brad Ralph announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Matt Mackenzie for the 2016-17 season.

The Everblades are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes and the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers.

Mackenzie joins the Everblades after posting 20 points (2g-18a), 102 penalty minutes and a +21 rating in 53 games last season with the Manchester Monarchs. Mackenzie also logged three points (2g-1a) with a+10 rating in 19 appearances with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.

From 2011-15, the 24-year-old totaled 24 points in 177 games with the AHL's Rochester Americans. Mackenzie also has ECHL stints with the Gwinnett Gladiators (2011-12), Greenville Road Warriors (2012-13) and Elmira Jackals (2014-15).

Mackenzie had four productive seasons during his major junior career in the Western Hockey League with the Calgary Hitmen and Tri-City Americans from 2007-11 totaling 98 career points along with 180 penalty minutes.

The New Westminster, British Columbia native was selected by Buffalo Sabres in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.