Curtis McKenzie honored to be named captain of the Texas Stars

CEDAR PARK, Texas — Curtis McKenzie is the new captain of the Texas Stars.

The 26-year-old forward will wear the “C” for the first time in his career on Wednesday against the San Antonio Rampage.

“It’s obviously a huge honor,” McKenzie said. “Getting to play with this team and this organization out of college, and it’s basically all I know in pro hockey. It’s quite the honor to do it. There are so many guys in our dressing room that could have been named the captain, to be given that role and opportunity is pretty cool.”

With a veteran-heavy lineup, Texas Stars coach Derek Laxdal decided not to name a captain at the start of the season, even with former captain Travis Morin still on the team.

Instead the AHL team used a captain by committee ideology, alternating the “A” between a group of six players at home and on the road.

Over the first month of the season McKenzie’s play and leadership stood out. He was one of the most vocal players in the locker room, was a key figure on both special teams units, and is currently second on the team with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 13 games.

“We have a great group of leaders, we have five or six guys that could wear the captaincy on our club. And just at start of the season we wanted to evaluate what we had,” Laxdal said. “We felt that Curtis, with his development as a young player, and an NHL player, that wearing the C would be a really good motivational tool for him to keep on doing what he’s doing. He’s come down here with a great attitude. He’s driving the bus every game.”

McKenzie said being named captain after that month-long process meant a little bit more.

“If there is any team to get named the captain for, this is the team to do it,” McKenzie said. “I think we have three or four guys that may have been captains on other teams before. We have an overflow of veterans, we have younger guys that just come in and work hard everyday. It’s not a team with any issues, and there is a lot of leadership by committee out here.”

That leadership by committee still includes Morin, who is one of the alternate captains and will wear an “A” going forward. If McKenzie is recalled to the NHL, Morin will wear the “C.”

“Mo has been the heart and soul of this organization for nine years now,” McKenzie said. “He’s still the voice of this team and a huge voice of our locker room, and the way he plays on the ice. He’s one of our hardest working players and one of our top guys. I really can’t say enough good things about Mo.”

Morin is on board with the decision and doesn’t need the “C” to be a leader. The 33-year-old has always led by example and was one of those soft-spoken but stern leaders — he may not raise his voice often, but when he did you paid attention.

McKenzie said that’s not going to change with him wearing the “C” and he’s going to rely heavily on the entire leadership group.

On the ice Morin has adapted his game and found continued success in a new role. After eight seasons as one of the top centers in Cedar Park, the Texas Stars have moved Morin to left wing this season. He’s no longer killing penalties and he’s playing less minutes than any before in his career, and he’s still sixth in the AHL in scoring with 17 points in 15 games.

“He’s found his game this season in a different role and in less minutes,” Laxdal said. “I really like we have the group we have, and he’s a huge part of it. When Curtis gets recalled we’ll be in a good spot with Travis wearing the C.”