Blackwood named ECHL Alumnus of Month
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Former Adirondack Thunder goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, of the New Jersey Devils, has been named ECHL Alumnus of the Month for December.
Blackwood, 22, made his NHL debut on Dec. 18 and went on to appear in six games during the month, posting a record of 3-1- 0 with two shutouts, a 1.25 goalsagainst average and a save percentage of .963.
He became the first rookie goaltender in Devils’ franchise history to post back-to-back shutouts, stopping 37 shots in a 2- 0 win against Carolina on Dec. 29 and making 25 saves in a 4- 0 victory over Vancouer on Dec. 31.
A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Blackwood appeared in five games for Adirondack during the 2017-18 season, going 2-1-1 with a 2.48 goals-against average and a save percentage of .920. He also saw action in five games during the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs, posting a 3-1 record with one shutout.
Selected by the Devils in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Blackwood has appeared in 83 career games in the American Hockey League with Albany and Binghamton where he is 30-38-11 with six shutouts, a 2.91 goals-against average and a save percentage of .898.
Blackwood is one of 10 former ECHL players that have reached the NHL this season alone. All told, 651 players have made the NHL after playing in the ECHL.
The Thunder are the New Jersey Devils’ Double-A affiliate.