Reese Mackenzie '27 Recruiting Profile

Coaches! My name is Reese Mackenzie and I am one of the 12, 2009 Goaltenders headed to 16/17's USA HOCKEY NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAMP. I understand that I play Tier 11 but that is only because of my dads job in Nashville as an Assistant Coach for the Nashville Predators. I am an academic weapon and a well rounded athlete I can promise you that! If you are interested my personal statement is listed below, happy reading and thank you for your time!

MY PERSONAL STATEMENT: Hello Coaches! I am Reese Mackenzie, a 2027 graduate goalie. I come from a hockey family and would consider myself a very ambitious and hard working girl. I step up to plates, I rise up to the occasion and I do not disappoint. My goal is to play the highest level of womens hockey in college, it's my passion and dream. Hockey has shaped my life in so many ways. It’s moved me across America 5 different times and even to a different country, separated my family, and challenged me both physically and emotionally. But through every setback, through all the blood, sweat and tears I’ve grown stronger and more determined. It’s all part of the process, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Hockey has pushed me far beyond what I thought were my “limits”.

 Off the ice and in the classroom, I push myself to take the top classes with AP’s (AP Biology & AP Human Geography) and in the process of a four year Biomedical Sciences Program while also already on the track to complete my 4th highschool math credit ( Honors Pre Calculus) and 3rd science only as a sophomore. I love to learn a-lot about science and hope to eventually enter a position in the medical field. I embrace the challenge of taking rigorous courses that require max effort and still crush complex subjects. Ravenwood High School academics are unrivaled,  henceforth, a girl just got accepted into Harvard this past fall and I too have many peers in my classes with this same goal. 

What separates me from the crowd is most definitely my personality. If you’re looking for a leader who’s not afraid to have fun and bring positive energy—whether it’s cracking a joke or even breaking out some sick  dance moves in the locker room after a great game—then I’m your person. I can talk to just about anyone and crack a few jokes here and there. If you ask my peers and coaches I think they can all agree. My personality is very energetic, uplifting and I believe that I do have a massive impact on the environment or the team atmosphere.  As a goalie we do not get the C on our jerseys but we are always captains, we don't need that piece of fabric to determine if we are going to be a leader or not. I am also extremely brave on the ice playing aggressive or if I see a snake/ practically any animal that would scare most people i'd be the first one to grab it ! This summer I went to Australia and New Zealand without my family but with a handful l of kids from my school that I had never met other than one girl and a teacher thanks to my Nana and Poppa funding the best trip of my life. After 5 flights and over 2.5 days of planes, trains, and automobiles we made it to New Zealand. About have way through our 22 day trip, we went to an island in New Zealand. Returning from a great day on the island my phone was kicked out of my hand into the ocean while I was walking up the stairs on a barge 40 feet in the air. With the time change my parents had no idea till when they woke up the next morning to a text off of one of my new friends phones.  That night I was in a tent with 4 other girls in sleeping in my winter jacket, I just had to go with the flow and I did just that. I never seeked revenge from the kid who kicked my phone it was an accident. If anything,  it helped me enjoy the beauty of these exotic countries. I consider myself lucky that my phone lays in the bottom of the ocean I am sure Ariel is enjoying it.

Mental, hockey is a mental game. My mentality is elite, truly top- notch. I believe pressure is a privilege and will always embrace this aspect of hockey and never let it interfere with my game but let it drive my game. My mind is always open to new ideas which makes me a very coachable goalie as well.  I focus on present body awareness during my game which keeps me calm and collective when I'm between the pipes rather than more of a self talk kind of angle. “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable”. That's what my Dad preaches and I listen, I can most definitely overcome any hurdle no matter how big or small it may be. Thanks Dad!

 I currently play Tier ll because Tennessee only offers Teir ll hockey due to my dads job as an Assistant Coach for the Nashville Predators. I also lived in Florida where I mostly grew up (while in the summers going back up north) playing boys hockey where my dad was the captain of the Florida Panthers for several years.  I am most definitely a Teir 1 player with my achievements of winning  the 2024 National Championship for 16u as a 14 year old and placing 10th in the 15's USA Hockey Player Development Camp. Speaking of last season I also made varsity track and was the only freshman on Ravenwood Girls Flag Football and we won the Tennessee State Championship. This season I am also the first girl to ever play boys hockey for Ravenwood Highschool and cant wait for both of my hockey teams playoffs.  Moving most of my life around America away from all my family up north has most definitely made me that much more resilient and has opened my eyes to cherish each moment with my family.  My 13 year old brother moved back up north to play hockey and with the many games my dad coaches in the NHL it's usually just me and my mom. Hockey has brought my family together in so many ways while also ripping it apart yet I would do it all over again. 

I have dual citizenship and I also withhold indigenous status from my first nation (Ojibway) up in Sudbury ON. I work a full time job in the summers at an icecream/ food shop called White Birch Creamery. I also have a cat named Flurry and a tortoise named Spencer. I love skiing on both water and snow and love to play flag football. I love to stay active while also finding peace in stationary activities like painting and fishing off the dock with my family on a hot summer day.

All in all, hockey has taught me an abundance of lessons that will stay with me forever. Each experience pushes me to grow, work hard, and enjoy the process. I’m fully committed to my dream of playing D1 women’s hockey, bringing my skills, passion, and dedication to every challenge either on or off the ice. I’m beyond excited for the journey ahead, and I know that with relentless effort, there’s no limit to what I can achieve!