On December 20, 1970, the Boston Garden crowd was treated to a classic Johnny McKenzie performance. Known for his grit and scoring touch, McKenzie delivered a Gordie Howe Hat Trick Plus in a 7-2 Boston Bruins win over the Minnesota North Stars.
The night before in St. Louis, McKenzie had two goals and an assist in a 7-1 victory over the Blues. He carried that momentum home, scoring his 12th, 13th, and 14th goals of the 1970-71 season against Minnesota. He also set up a goal by Phil Esposito, capping a four-point night.
True to form, McKenzie also dropped the gloves, scrapping with ex-Bruin Barry Gibbs just 25 seconds into the second period. Gilles Gilbert, who later went on to play for Boston, faced 47 shots and stopped 40, including four off McKenzie’s stick. Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito led the barrage with eight shots each.
The 1970-71 campaign proved to be McKenzie’s best NHL season, as he finished with 31 goals and 77 points. The hat trick against Minnesota was the third of his career and the only one not scored against the Detroit Red Wings.
About John McKenzie
John McKenzie played 691 regular season and 69 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1958-59 and 1971-72 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. He won two Stanley Cup championships with the Bruins.
In the WHA, McKenzie played an additional 477 regular season and 33 playoff games between 1972-73 and 1978-79 with the Philadelphia Blazers, Vancouver Blazers, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Cincinnati Stingers and New England Whalers.
NHL Hockey Trivia: Johnny McKenzie
1. In which NHL season did Johnny McKenzie score his career-high 31 goals?
- 1968-69
- 1969-70
- 1970-71
- 1971-72
2. Which team did Johnny McKenzie score his famous hat trick and fight performance against on December 20, 1970?
- St. Louis Blues
- Detroit Red Wings
- Minnesota North Stars
- Chicago Blackhawks
3. How many career NHL hat tricks did Johnny McKenzie record?
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
4. Johnny McKenzie was part of the Boston Bruins’ Stanley Cup–winning team in which year?
- 1968
- 1970
- 1972
- Both 1970 and 1972
5. Before joining the Bruins, McKenzie played for which NHL team?
- New York Rangers
- Detroit Red Wings
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Philadelphia Flyers
