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McKenzie Earning High Comparisons Ahead of Draft, Championships

By Mete Makarnaci, 03/25/22, 1:00PM EDT

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Hurricanes forward can create own shot

Already standing six-feet and 190-pounds with the skills to match his size, Halton Hurricanes centre Hunter McKenzie is garnering plenty of attention ahead of next month’s Ontario Hockey League draft. 
 
Trevor Nkiwane, his coach, is full of praise for the 15-year-old’s game, seeing a skillset similar to that of a certain Toronto Maple Leafs superstar in his assistant captain.
 
“I would probably compare him to Auston Matthews,” said Nkiwane. “He’s got really good size, he’s got a good stick, he wins puck battles and he’s good in the defensive zone, but as a centre-man, you know he can create his own shot but also just use the puck.”

That’s heady praise and Nkiwane doesn’t stop there, believing the jump from SCTA to the OHL will be the first on McKenzie’s way to the NHL.
 
“There’s no question in my mind,” said Nkiwane. “I’ve been fortunate to coach several players who’ve made the NHL, there are three who are playing right now, and I would say Hunter is at this stage of his career better than those guys who are in the NHL.” 
 
First things first is the OHL draft, where some project him to go in the top 10, after leading the Hurricanes into the OMHA championships. Halton went 14-3-7 to finish second in the standings while McKenzie scored 37 points in 24 regular season games to finish fourth in scoring.

“My biggest strength is my shot,” he said. “I believe my shot separates me from other people.” 
 
McKenzie has enjoyed success this season playing alongside twin brother, Hartley, who is, “great to have on the team, he works his butt off down low.”
 
Nkiwane offers similar praise for Hunter.
 
“He was voted an assistant captain, because besides the fact that he’s a really good player he’s just a good kid, he’s a leader,” said Nkiwane. “Guys sort of gravitate to him and sort of follow his lead in terms of his work ethic and everything else so he’s an ideal teammate.”


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mete Makarnaci is a student in the Sport Journalism program at Centennial College. Follow him on Twitter @Metemakarnaci16


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