Buffalo Sabres sign 2010 draft pick Matt MacKenzie to entry-level contract -NHL News Update
After being drafted as the 83rd overall pick during round-three of the 2010 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, Buffalo Sabres prospect, Matt MacKenzie, was finally signed on to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Eastern Conference
team on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.
Matt MacKenzie has been participating thus far with Buffalo Sabres in their preseason exhibition matchups along with travelling with them to the foreign countries part of the NHL Compuware Premier Series against teams of other leagues.
The contract signing was announced while Buffalo was in training in Europe before a game against Germany’s pro team, Adler Mannheim.
MacKenzie’s three-year, entry-level contract is worth an estimated $1.8 million and will make him an unrestricted free agent by the end of it, on July 1, 2014. If the 19-year-old plays in the NHL, his annual salary will be $600,000 with $75,000 in bonuses.
Most likely, the prospect will be sent yet again to the minor leagues to continue developing as a player and is eligible to earn an annual salary of $65,000.
Before being drafted, MacKenzie played with Vancouver Giants during the 2006-2007 season and potted 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) in 40 games played. The following season took him to Calgary to play with Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the
next four seasons.
Last season, MacKenzie played with Buffalo Sabres affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), Rochester Americans and Tri-City Americans in the WHL.
Hailing from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, Matt MacKenzie might be used as a recall next season if needed on the Buffalo roster but otherwise, he is set to start off his second season with Tri-City Americans.
In total, the young defenseman has 98 points (18 goals, 80 assists) along with 180 minutes of penalty time in 225 games played between both Buffalo Sabres affiliates in the AHL and WHL.
Next season could be his chance to crack a spot on the teams’ roster by showing a performance which would convince the Buffalo management.
Preparing for the upcoming regular season, Buffalo kicks off their first matchup against Anaheim Ducks in Helsinki, Finland.
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