Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Features Writer

As the lively season of spring unfolds, the opportunities are high that Curtis McKenzie is completing increasingly for the desirable Calder Cup. This season marks an amazing stage on the planet of expert hockey, where proficient gamers like McKenzie enter the spotlight.

Known for his durability and persistence, Texas Stars captain Curtis McKenzie is enjoying his robust 12th expert season. Throughout this season, he showed remarkable toughness by taking part in 67 out of the 72 regular-season video games. His efficiency culminated in a good tally of 15 objectives and 15 helps. Since his go back to Cedar Park, he has actually been a constant existence, appearing in 272 of the Stars’ 288 video games, together with an extra 17 playoff matches, showcasing his physical design versus more youthful challengers.

McKenzie’s journey in the AHL has actually been exceptional. He very first renowned winning the Calder Cup with Texas as a novice in 2014. He made another Finals look in 2018, where the Stars fell short in a significant Game 7 versus the Toronto Marlies, contributing 11 objectives in 22 video games throughout that postseason. His remarkable playoff experience continued in 2019 when he reached the Finals once again with the Chicago Wolves.

Originally prepared by the Dallas Stars in 2009, McKenzie made the distinguished Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s novice of the year in the 2013-14 season. After 5 impactful seasons with the Stars, consisting of 99 video games in the NHL, he hung out with the Vegas Golden Knights and the St. Louis Blues companies before going back to Texas in 2021.

As the Texas Stars prepare to begin their 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs with Game 1 of a competitive best-of-five department semifinal series versus Grand Rapids, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding the group. The Stars have actually remained in an intense fight with the Milwaukee Admirals for the lead in the Central Division, eventually ending up simply 2 points shy of the leading area, a testimony to their competitive spirit and decision.

McKenzie has actually developed himself as a trusted playoff entertainer for many years, evidenced by his remarkable record of 7 points in simply 7 video games last spring. Over the course of his profession, he has actually built up 65 points, including 29 objectives and 36 helps, in 90 Calder Cup Playoff video games, showing his capability to shine throughout turning points throughout 9 postseasons in the AHL.

For more youthful colleagues like Matěj Blümel, Arttu Hyry, Antonio Stranges, and this year’s Garrett Award winner Justin Hryckowian, McKenzie acts as an important coach, offering assistance through the myriad obstacles the AHL provides. He embodies the experience that includes browsing the requiring regular-season grind, sustaining the prolonged postseason, and dealing with the pressure of Game 7 in the Calder Cup Finals.

Many Texas alumni have actually effectively leveraged their postseason experiences to shift into NHL professions. The Stars have actually made 3 Finals looks throughout the 2010s, including significant gamers such as Jamie Benn, Jamie Oleksiak, Radek Faksa, Roope Hintz, and Jason Dickinson. The Calder Cup Playoffs frequently offer that last push a possibility requires to protect a full-time position in the NHL.

As McKenzie browses the last year of his two-year AHL agreement checked in 2023, he comprehends the extreme desire young gamers have for reaching the NHL. However, he likewise acknowledges the value of keeping concentrate on their existing duties at this level.

“Most guys that play in this league are often the standout stars on their teams, and they’ve generally enjoyed successful careers up to this point,” McKenzie shared previously this season. “For many players, this is their first encounter with adversity, and it can be challenging. I strive to support them, encouraging them to stay on course and trust in their journey, as reaching the NHL is rarely an overnight achievement, if it happens at all.”

The routine season postures many tests for young gamers, however the postseason raises these obstacles to an entire brand-new level. The Texas Stars, like any group with goals of winning the Calder Cup, make certain to deal with hardship this spring. The playoffs bring removal video games, double and triple overtime situations, and a build-up of video games that rapidly magnify the physical toll on gamers.

In the AHL, advancement is a dominant style, and the Calder Cup Playoffs represent a vital section of the procedure that changes appealing young skill into genuine NHL gamers.

“The AHL is a challenging league,” McKenzie highlighted. “You’re so close to making it to the NHL, and that’s on everyone’s minds: ‘How do I get there?’ Hard work and perseverance are essential, especially during tough times, as the AHL can be overwhelming for some. Our goal is to provide players with the best opportunities to position themselves for advancement to the next level.”

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