Bruins legend was as tough off the ice as he was on it
Johnny "Pie" McKenzie was one of the most polarizing players in his day, and it was basically because he didn't care who liked him or not.
McKenzie played for the Boston Bruins from 1965 to 1972 and was a key piece in two Stanley Cup Championships for the franchise. In 452 games, he collected 169 goals and 227 assists for a total of 396 points. He also recorded 45 points in 50 career playoff games with the Bruins.
Sadly, Johnny McKenzie passed away at his home in Wakefield, Massachusetts, at age 80 on June 9th, 2018, after a long illness.
A post shared by @hockeybukakke revealed how wild he really was:
"Johnny «Pie» McKenzie was a bit spiteful, let's say. He was as tough a little s.o.b. on the ice as he was off of it, and if he wasn't feeling appreciated... well, look out!
Traded to the New York Rangers during the 1965-66 season, Pie thought he'd found a home in the Big Apple. But the Rangers abruptly traded him after 35 games in NYC to the rival Boston Bruins & McKenzie held it against them.
At the end of Game 6 of the 1972 Stanley Cup finals, when the Bruins defeated the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden 3-0 to win the Stanley Cup, McKenzie skated to center ice, raised one arm in mimicry of the Statue of Liberty, placed his other hand around his neck to appear as though he were choking, then jumped up & down in a circle several times. (Thus, he implied, to the Rangers and their fans, that the Rangers had choked at their best chance of winning their first Stanley Cup since 1940). This became known as the "McKenzie Choke Dance.»
In the summer of 1972, McKenzie was disgruntled at being left unprotected by the Bruins in the expansion draft when the Atlanta Flames & the New York Islanders joined the NHL. To spite the Bruins & I suppose, the NHL, McKenzie signed as player-coach with the Philadelphia Blazers of the newly formed World Hockey Association (WHA).
By far one of the most popular players on any team he played on.
Pie McKenzie left a legacy of heart, toughness, popularity amongst teammates & pride for every team he played for. The 2x Stanley Cup champion passed away on this day in 2018 at the age of 80...
DID YOU KNOW: The Hartford Whalers retired #19 in honour of John McKenzie and he never played a game for Hartford? McKenzie did play 3 seasons for the New England Whalers of the WHA & when the team was infused into the NHL, the Hartford Whalers honoured his #19.
(controversy ensued when the Carolina Hurricanes Dougie Hamilton wore the retired #19 when the Canes honoured the Hartford Whalers on «Heritage Night» and wore the Whalers logo & colours. Some questioned that if you're honoring the team, then you should honor the traditions of the team as well)."
Traded to the New York Rangers during the 1965-66 season, Pie thought he'd found a home in the Big Apple. But the Rangers abruptly traded him after 35 games in NYC to the rival Boston Bruins & McKenzie held it against them.
At the end of Game 6 of the 1972 Stanley Cup finals, when the Bruins defeated the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden 3-0 to win the Stanley Cup, McKenzie skated to center ice, raised one arm in mimicry of the Statue of Liberty, placed his other hand around his neck to appear as though he were choking, then jumped up & down in a circle several times. (Thus, he implied, to the Rangers and their fans, that the Rangers had choked at their best chance of winning their first Stanley Cup since 1940). This became known as the "McKenzie Choke Dance.»
In the summer of 1972, McKenzie was disgruntled at being left unprotected by the Bruins in the expansion draft when the Atlanta Flames & the New York Islanders joined the NHL. To spite the Bruins & I suppose, the NHL, McKenzie signed as player-coach with the Philadelphia Blazers of the newly formed World Hockey Association (WHA).
By far one of the most popular players on any team he played on.
Pie McKenzie left a legacy of heart, toughness, popularity amongst teammates & pride for every team he played for. The 2x Stanley Cup champion passed away on this day in 2018 at the age of 80...
DID YOU KNOW: The Hartford Whalers retired #19 in honour of John McKenzie and he never played a game for Hartford? McKenzie did play 3 seasons for the New England Whalers of the WHA & when the team was infused into the NHL, the Hartford Whalers honoured his #19.
(controversy ensued when the Carolina Hurricanes Dougie Hamilton wore the retired #19 when the Canes honoured the Hartford Whalers on «Heritage Night» and wore the Whalers logo & colours. Some questioned that if you're honoring the team, then you should honor the traditions of the team as well)."
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