Texas Stars Re-Sign Captain Curtis McKenzie on AHL Deal

Curtis McKenzie (Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

The Texas Stars announced this morning that they have re-signed captain Curtis McKenzie on a one-year AHL deal. 

McKenzie, who started with the Stars as a rookie in 2013-14, is coming off a two-year AHL deal and his fourth consecutive and fifth overall season of serving as team captain. McKenzie is second to only Travis Morin in pretty much all meaningful franchise statistics, such as games played, goals and assists in both the playoffs and regular season. The more pugilistic McKenzie does beat Morin in all-time PIMs.

While McKenzie's numbers to an outside observer may have dipped this year, as is often the case of a veteran leader, it's not about what they contribute individually but about what they contribute to the group. Strong individual seasons from other bright and up-and-coming Stars such as Justin Hryckowian and the now-departed Matěj Blümel are more indicative than his own goals and assists tallies.

But with that being said, my weren't there some fine goals in there this season? McKenzie does seem to have a knack for finding the net in the most dramatic of moments. I remember clearly when he clinched the Division for Texas in 2023. Game 5 against Abbotsford was another huge OT moment for the captain.

This year felt like the start of the end from my perspective for McKenzie, who won the Yanick Dupré Award for humanitarian work, served as a playing captain for the Central Division All-Stars, and was selected to play for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup. But seeing the way the playoff McKenzie showed up, it was clear there was gas in the tank to keep fighting the good fight.

With the departure of Neil Graham to Dallas, McKenzie's retention in Texas is good from a leadership perspective as well. It will keep some consistency around the crew as they look to do battle in the Central again.

For my part, I have always enjoyed Curtis' demeanor and presence on the team. Of course, it's no secret around here that he wrote the foreword to the book I co-authored with Sean Shapiro, We Win Here. He spoke from the heart and wrote it himself. No ghostwriting here.

When all is said and done, 16 should join 23 in the rafters. But not today. Not this year.