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Mike McKenna (ice hockey)
Encyclopedia
Mike McKenna is an American
professional ice hockey
goaltender who is currently a member of the NHL's Ottawa Senators
organization. McKenna previously played for the New Jersey Devils
and the Tampa Bay Lightning
and their minor league affiliates.
in the sixth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
. He played for the Las Vegas Wranglers
during the 2006–07 ECHL season, compiling an impressive 27-4-2 record, with five shutouts. He was named to the All-Star team and finished second in the league voting for Most Valuable Player
.
McKenna was signed to an AHL contract by the Tampa Bay Lightning
AHL
affiliate Norfolk Admirals
for the 2008–09 season
after drifting from several AHL teams during the previous seasons, including a previous stint for Norfolk during the 2005 season. McKenna played better than expected, earning Norfolk's starting goalie position. He had a 11-10-0 record with one shutout up until early February, when he was signed to an NHL contract by the Lightning after Olaf Kolzig
went down for the season with an injury. He made his NHL debut on February 3, 2009 versus the New York Islanders
, relieving starter Karri Ramo
. The following day, he made his first NHL start in goal on February 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins
, shutting the Penguins out through two periods before losing 4-3 in overtime. McKenna earned his first NHL win and shutout on February 7 with a 28 save, 1-0 home win against the New York Islanders less than a week into his NHL career.
In 2009, McKenna signed with the New Jersey Devils
, and played two seasons with the Albany Devils
. He also played two games in the NHL for New Jersey. McKenna's only NHL start of the season was against his hometown St. Louis Blues.http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/11/devils_will_give_goalie_mike_m.html In July 2011, McKenna signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender who is currently a member of the NHL's Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
organization. McKenna previously played for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
and their minor league affiliates.
Playing career
McKenna played his college hockey for St. Lawrence University, an NCAA Division 1 team in the ECAC. McKenna was originally drafted by the Nashville PredatorsNashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the sixth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
2002 NHL Entry Draft
The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22–23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. 291 players were drafted in total: 35 from the OHL; 23 from the QMJHL; 43 from the WHL; 41 from the NCAA; 6 from U.S high schools and 110 from outside North America....
. He played for the Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
during the 2006–07 ECHL season, compiling an impressive 27-4-2 record, with five shutouts. He was named to the All-Star team and finished second in the league voting for Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
McKenna was signed to an AHL contract by the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
for the 2008–09 season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
after drifting from several AHL teams during the previous seasons, including a previous stint for Norfolk during the 2005 season. McKenna played better than expected, earning Norfolk's starting goalie position. He had a 11-10-0 record with one shutout up until early February, when he was signed to an NHL contract by the Lightning after Olaf Kolzig
Olaf Kölzig
Olaf Kölzig is a retired German professional ice hockey goaltender and associate goalie coach for the Washington Capitals. With the exception of 8 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he played his entire 14 year career with the Capitals...
went down for the season with an injury. He made his NHL debut on February 3, 2009 versus the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, relieving starter Karri Ramo
Karri Rämö
Karri Rämö is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League. His contract rights are owned by the Montreal Canadiens and he has also played for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Rämö was drafted by the...
. The following day, he made his first NHL start in goal on February 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
, shutting the Penguins out through two periods before losing 4-3 in overtime. McKenna earned his first NHL win and shutout on February 7 with a 28 save, 1-0 home win against the New York Islanders less than a week into his NHL career.
In 2009, McKenna signed with the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and played two seasons with the Albany Devils
Albany Devils
The Albany Devils are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , founded in 2010. The top AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League 's New Jersey Devils, the team has as its home the Times Union Center in Albany, New York...
. He also played two games in the NHL for New Jersey. McKenna's only NHL start of the season was against his hometown St. Louis Blues.http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/11/devils_will_give_goalie_mike_m.html In July 2011, McKenna signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.