The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze are pleased to announce the return of British forward Zaine McKenzie for the 2025/26 Elite League season.
The 21-year-old Coventry native made 27 appearances for his hometown club during the 2024/25 campaign, registering two assists in what was his first full season with the Blaze. In addition, McKenzie played 15 games for the Peterborough Phantoms in the NIHL, where he contributed five points (two goals, three assists).
McKenzie originally joined the Blaze following three seasons split between the Elite Ice Hockey League and the NIHL. In 2023/24, he skated in 12 Elite League games for the Nottingham Panthers and also featured in 25 contests with the Telford Tigers and 23 with the Bees IHC – his second spell with the Berkshire club after previously suiting up for them in 2021/22. That season, he also played for the Milton Keynes Lightning.
In 2022/23, McKenzie remained with the Lightning and made his professional debut for the Panthers.
Before turning professional, McKenzie spent two years in North America at the Ontario Hockey Academy after leaving the UK at the age of 16.
Internationally, McKenzie has twice represented Great Britain at the IIHF Under-20 World Championship Division 2A, winning a silver medal in 2022 and a bronze in 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Moore said, “Zaine is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached.
He has fully embraced his role and is extremely valuable to the character of our locker room. Zaine is an incredible person who will no doubt continue to develop in the finer details of the game and thrive as a ‘do-anything’ type of player. I’m thrilled to have him back for another season.”
McKenzie commented, “I am excited and grateful to be returning for my second year with the Blaze. Playing for my boyhood club, where I grew up, means everything to me. I believe in what Kevin is building here, his philosophy is clear and it is going to bring results. I want to continue developing my game and cementing my role as a player.
The fans were huge for us last year , the support was incredible and I appreciate that greatly.
See you in September Blaze fans!”
Community Role for Zaine
Additionally, Zaine will be working closely with the Blaze Community Foundation this season, supporting the club’s outreach efforts, particularly in local schools and youth programmes – aiming to strengthen ties between the team and the wider Coventry community.
He continued, “I’m proud to be joining the Blaze back office and working alongside a great group of staff. As I approach the end of my degree, this is a fantastic opportunity to put the skills I’ve learned into practice.
“I want to help drive the club forward through the community I grew up in and create more opportunities for the city to be actively involved.”
