McKinzie Continues to Score in the Same Net

Kristofer McKinzie played at Mars Lakeview Arena for Marshall Schools but now he wears a different jersey.

When Kristofer McKinzie was in high school, Mars Lakeview Arena was like a second home.

“I played here for four years, my high school career for Duluth Marshall,” said McKinzie.

After two years playing junior hockey, he’s come back. This time in a different uniform, playing for a different team. And getting McKinzie back to Duluth in a St. Scholastica uniform was a win, win for Coach Mark Wick and the Saints.

“We love to have local athletes, we try really hard to get the local athletes… He happened to be one of the best hockey players, plus a local kid,” said Wick.

St. Scholastica may have been a perfect fit for McKinzie in many ways, but it didn’t make the jump to the college game any easier.

“First couple games were like wow what am I getting myself into. It’s a lot faster, a lot more physical and after a few games you get your feet wet,” said McKinzie.

McKinzie would get his feet wet and be named the rookie of the year for the Saints after last season. Now as a sophomore it’s time to step into a leadership role.

“I feel like I’ve got more of a veteran role even though I’m only a sophomore, I feel like I come in with a little more experience,” said McKinzie.

Ultimately,it wasn’t just McKinzie’s play, or his local roots that made him a good fit for the Saints, it was his character.

“He’s got that positive attitude always comes to the rink with a smile on his face ready to go to work,” said Junior Kale Derkson.

“Overall he’s just a really good kid, besides being a good hockey player,” said Wick.