The AudBalls sit down with Kitchener Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie for a wide-ranging conversation! Mike shares what it was like growing up around the rink with his father Bob McKenzie and how that shaped his path in hockey. He also breaks down his perspective on the NCAA agreement, what it's like to coach while serving as GM, the art of building a competitive roster within the OHL's age constraints, and the tough calls that come with it. Oh, and we finally answer the question everyone's been asking: do OHL GMs have a group chat?

And we couldn't close out without the AudPodience! With the regular season in the books, we heard from the fans on how they'd grade this year. Thank you to everyone who submitted. Next stop, playoffs!!

Follow us on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | @theaudpodcast

Watch us on⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ | @theaudpodcast-kitchenerrangers

Website | theaudpod.com 

Email | [email protected]

00:00:00 Introduction to Mike McKenzie
00:05:43 Sharing Dad Bob McKenzie with Hockey Fans 00:09:56 Mike McKenzie's GM Style and Coaching Challenges
00:13:27 The Bold Decision to Hire Coach Jussi Ahokas
00:19:43 Mike McKenzie's Learning Curve and Rangers Identity
00:24:57 Pridham's Return and Goaltending Decisions 00:31:53 Navigating Player Departures and Memorial Cup Disappointment
00:42:38 Trading with Rivals and GM Negotiation Styles
00:47:08 Reflecting on Mike McKenzie's Candid Interview
00:49:50 AudPodience Appreciation Videos
00:50:00 Mallory
00:51:04 Ethan
00:52:23 Spencer
00:52:38 Blake
00:53:11 Mark (Read by Justin)
00:53:52 Em
00:55:17 Sean
00:56:59 Josh
01:00:02 Nick (Read by Andrew)
01:00:19 Daniel
01:02:34 Kayla (Read by Andrew)
01:04:22 Marissa (Read by Justin)
01:05:13 Jennifer (Read by Andrew)
01:06:36 Ammaly
01:08:01 JJ