Tyler MacKenzie commits to Merrimack

Alberta native becomes Merrimack's first CHL commit; he's currently 4th in scoring in the WHL

Merrimack received its first CHL commitment on Wednesday. Tyler MacKenzie, who is currently fourth in the WHL in scoring, committed to the Warriors.

The NCAA changed its rule regarding CHL players earlier this month. Since the 1980s, CHL players have been ineligible, but the NCAA reversed that rule on November 7 after a vote by the D-I Council. The CHL consists of the WHL, the OHL, and the QMJHL.

MacKenzie is from Red Deer, Alberta. In 24 games for the Everett Silvertips this season, he has 38 points (19g-19a). MacKenzie is an alternate captain for the Silvertips. Last season, he was the captain of the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL.

MacKenzie was acquired by Everett in a trade last summer.

“Tyler is a skilled forward and brings a ton of leadership qualities to the Silvertips,” said Silvertips assistant general manager Mike Fraser. “He plays the way we like our players to play. His experience and character will be key for us.”

MacKenzie previously played with Merrimack sophomore Ty Daneault from 2017-20. They were both members of the Red Deer Chiefs U18 and Red Deer Rebels U15 teams. MacKenzie was also a teammate of Vann Yuhas with the SAHA U18 Prep team in 2020.

“Tyler MacKenzie is a high-compete, high-energy forward who plays a detailed and responsible 200-foot game,” Neutral Zone scouts said in a recent report.