(Nashville) The Nashville Predators have rounded out head coach Andrew Brunette’s roster with the addition of Derek MacKenzie.
Brunette rubbed shoulders with MacKenzie on the Florida Panthers coaching staff from 2019 to 2022, including when he inherited the title of interim head coach and the team won the Presidents’ Trophy.
MacKenzie, 42, played 611 NHL games with the Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Panthers.
During his time with the Blue Jackets, current Predators assistant coach Todd Richards served as their head coach for three seasons. Another Predators assistant coach Dan Hinote coached MacKenzie for four seasons as an assistant with the Blue Jackets. MacKenzie also played three seasons with Predators center Ryan Johansen when they were with the Blue Jackets.
Last season, MacKenzie was head coach of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.