Columbus Blue Jackets sign Derek MacKenzie to two-year contract -NHL Update
Derek MacKenzie is finally getting the recognition he deserves as the Columbus Blue Jackets announced the signing of the veteran centre player to a two-year contract on Thursday, May 31, 2012.
The financial terms and conditions of the two-year deal were not disclosed by the team but according to sources, the contract is worth a cool $2 million, making him an unrestricted free agent by the end of the 2013-2014 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season.
“It’s nice to know that what I’ve done the last couple of seasons is well-respected, and it has paid off,” MacKenzie said. “Columbus proved that much to me with this deal, and that’s big. It instils confidence in you, that you’ve got people behind you, backing it up and believing in you.”
For MacKenzie, this is the first time he has gotten a one-way contract that guarantees him a position in the major league throughout the regular season instead of having to perform in the American Hockey League (AHL) and NHL.
“I’ve never had a one-way contract,” MacKenzie said. “I’ve never had that kind of job security. So for me, this is a big moment. It feels like a day I’ve waited a long time to enjoy.”
His previous contract have been of two years as well but with a total salary of $1-1.2 million, but a much lower salary since he played a majority of his years in the minor league. Now with $2 million guaranteed to go in his pocket, the veteran forward is definitely more confident than ever.
It might have taken MacKenzie some time to prove his leadership qualities to the team but Columbus Blue Jackets general manager, Scott Howson, believes that moment has finally come.
“We need more people taking ownership, leading, and making sure that everybody is going in the right direction,” Howson said.
MacKenzie was drafted as the 128th overall pick during round-five of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. In nine seasons spent in the NHL thus far, the veteran has 193 games under his belt with 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists).
The past two seasons were career changers for Derek MacKenzie, who now hopes to go even further in his stride towards greatness.
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