Stars Name Curtis McKenzie Captain, Alex Petrovic and Andreas Borgman as Alternate Captains
Oct 15, 2021
CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League Affiliate of the NHL's Dallas Stars, announced today that forward Curtis McKenzie will represent the team as captain for the 2021-22 season. McKenzie was previously captain of the Stars during the 2017-18 season, helping the team compete in the Calder Cup Final that season. Additionally, defensemen Alex Petrovic and Andreas Borgman will be part of the leadership group as alternate captains.
“(Curtis) is familiar with the organization, the city, the way we operate. He understands our expectations, both from a winning mentality, and from a developmental standpoint,” said head coach Neil Graham on his new team captain. “We've had a lot of guys show leadership in the room, and I think that's probably what excites us the most. I think Curtis, being that veteran presence has done a great job leading the way.”
McKenzie, 30, ranks fifth in team history with 82 goals, 108 assists, and 190 points and has logged 223 games with the club. In his pro career, the Golden, British Columbia native has logged 381 AHL games and 99 NHL games with a combined 322 points (134-188=322). Now in his ninth pro season, McKenzie has worn alternate captain letters with Chicago (2018-20) and Utica (2020-21) and was named the Stars fifth captain in team history during the 2017-18 season.
Petrovic, 29, is in his first season with the Stars after spending the 2020-21 campaign as co-captain of Stockton. The veteran is set to compete in his 10th pro season, logging a combined 478 games and 133 points (18-115=133) in the NHL and AHL. The 6-foot-4 blueliner is no stranger to Texas, having played parts of his first three pro seasons with the San Antonio Rampage where he was an alternate captain.
“Alex has been a captain in the league. He understands the league, but he also has a wealthy NHL resume, and that tells you is he has a lot of experience at multiple levels. He knows what it's like when you do go up and what it's like to stay in the NHL for season upon season,” said Coach Graham. “He can hit a lot of topics with players, and he can lead by example because he's done it.”
Borgman, 26, will wear a captaincy letter for the first time in his pro career. The defenseman is entering his fifth pro season after splitting the year with Tampa Bay and Syracuse. The 6-foot Swedish blueliner has played a combined 190 games in the NHL and AHL, totaling 60 points (16-44=60). Borgman also logged time in San Antonio, spending the 2019-20 in the lone star state.
“This is the first time Andreas has worn a letter at this level, but he's led by example every day in terms of what we're asking of our group the way we want to play,” continued coach Graham “He plays the game fast, physical, and he plays with intensity. We've gotten a chance to know him through Dallas’ camp and our camp and I think he exhibited qualities and characteristics that made him an easy choice as well.”
The Stars and their new leadership group take the ice for opening night at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. against the Iowa Wild.
The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com.
Photo Credit: Texas Stars