By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Less than a month after taking over as new head coach of the Predators, Andrew Brunette has made his first major move. He chose Derek MacKenzie as his new assistant, with the team making the official announcement last Thursday. MacKenzie spent three seasons coaching with Brunette with the Florida Panthers. Last season the 42-year-old MacKenzie was coach of the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL.
Like Brunette, he also has a sizable track record as a player. MacKenzie spent 16 years in the NHL with three teams. One was the Atlanta Thrashers. The others were the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Panthers. Florida was his final stop and his most successful stint. MacKenzie had 51 goals and 74 assists and was captain of the Panthers from 2016-18, and alternate captain from 2014-16. Brunette spoke highly of his new coach. “Derek MacKenzie’s track record as a player and coach in the NHL makes him a valuable addition to our organization,” Brunette said in a team release. “Having worked closely with him on an NHL bench before, I’ve been fortunate enough to see his leadership qualities firsthand and know he will develop strong connections and relationships with our players and staff. I’m excited to reunite with him here in Nashville and see him become a big asset for our team.” During his time in Columbus, MacKenzie played for three seasons under current Predators assistant coach and then-Columbus coach Todd Richards. He also played three seasons there with Predators center Ryan Johansen.
The Predators continue to make the transition from longtime general manager David Poile, who retires this week. Barry Trotz, once the team’s head coach, has returned as the general manager. The 2023 edition is being held at Bridgestone Arena. It began Wednesday and continues Thursday. In fact Nashville will the epicenter for the NHL this week. In addition to hosting the Draft on Wednesday and Thursday, the city was also the home for the 2023 NHL Awards on Monday. While Nashville previously hosted the Draft in 2003, this was the first year the Awards were held here, and the first time both events were in the same city since Vancouver hosted them in 2006.
“We are thrilled to bring two of our marquee events, the 2023 NHL Awards and the 2023 NHL Draft, to Nashville, a special city that certainly knows how to throw a great party,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said last week in a press release. “From the 2003 NHL Draft to the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final to the 2022 NHL Stadium Series game, the city, the Predators organization and the country music community have overwhelmed the NHL with their welcome and support every time Nashville has hosted a League event,” Commissioner Bettman added. “We cannot wait to return next June to celebrate the stars of our game and introduce the next generation of NHL players.”
The first round of the 2023 draft was televised on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Connor Bedard, a center with Regina of the Western Hockey League, was the projected No. 1 pick. Last season he scored 51 goals to set a Regina record for most in a season by a 16-year-old, passing Jeff Friesen’s 45 in 1992-93, and his 100 points were the most ever by a 16-year-old, passing Doug Wickenheiser (88, 1977-78). There was also a special flavor to the Predators’ portion of Wednesday’s first round. Retired Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne, whose statue stands in front of Bridgestone Arena and whose No. 35 jersey was also retired by the team, joined former teammate and current Predators captain Roman Josi on the NHL Draft stage. They announced the Predators’ second pick of the first round, which currently is the 24th pick. The team also had the 15th pick, and 13 picks overall in the draft.
