Railers HC Sign Former Providence College National Champions

Railers HC Sign Former Providence College National Champions

Defensemen Kyle McKenzie and Josh Monk each won a National Championship with Providence College in 2015

WORCESTER, MA  –  The Worcester Railers Hockey Club (@RailersHC), proud ECHL (@ECHL) affiliate of the New York Islanders (@NYIslanders), and Railers HC General Manager and Head Coach Jamie Russell officially announced today that the club has signed defensemen Kyle McKenzie (@Kyle_Mack3) and Josh Monk (@Josh_Monk) to ECHL contracts for the 2017-18 season.

Kyle McKenzie and Josh Monk were both members of Providence College’s 2015 National Championship winning team. In addition, they both skated for the Friars while Jamie Russell served as assistant coach for Providence during the 2013-14 season.

The 25-year-old Monk spent four seasons with Providence College (2013-17) playing in 107 games for the Friars and recorded 42 points, 100 penalty minutes, and a +36 rating. Last season, Monk recorded career-highs in goals (3), assists (17), and points (20) in just 28 games played. He finished the season with a +12 rating and 53 shots on goal. He ranked second on the team with 34 blocked shots, and recorded six multi-point games, including a career-high three points on a goal and two assists in Game 2 of the Hockey East Opening Round playoffs.

Before joining the Friars in 2013, the 5-foot-10, 185lb Langley, BC native spent four seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League playing for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Surrey Eagles, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Westside Warriors, and West Kelowna Warriors. He totaled 25 goals, 78 assists, 103 points, and 222 penalty minutes in 177 games in the BCHL.

“Josh Monk can defend, move pucks quickly and will jump into the play to join the rush,” said Russell. “Josh is a tremendous leader that is not afraid to sacrifice his body. I look forward to his continued development in professional hockey.”

The 24-year-old McKenzie also spent four seasons with Providence College (2013-17) where he played in a total of 153 games, second all-time at Providence, and recorded 23 assists, 159 penalty minutes, a +31 rating, which included serving as an alternate captain his senior year.

Last season with the Friars, McKenzie appeared in 38 games, totaled five assists, led the team with 54 blocked shots, recorded 30 penalty minutes, a +4 rating, and was the 2016-17 recipient of the Ron Wilson Award as Providence’s best defensive player.

Before joining the Friars in 2013, the 6-foot, 190lb Aston, PA native played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, and helped Dubuque to a first-place finish in the East Division in 2012-13. He posted two goals and six assists in 57 regular-season games, and had a +23 rating on the year and had 105 penalty minutes, helping Dubuque Sweep the Fargo Force to win the Clark Cup as USHL Champions.

“Kyle is a proven winner. He won a championship in juniors in the USHL and he was an NCAA champion at Providence College,” said Russell. “Kyle is a terrific defender who has great feet and an extremely high compete level. From day one in the NCAA ranks, he was matched against opponent’s top lines.”

“Having recruited and coached Kyle and Josh in the college hockey, I know we are adding two high end rookies that are high quality people,” said Russell. “They will be great teammates in our room as we establish our identity.”

McKenzie and Monk are both expected to make their professional debuts next season.

The Railers are expected to announce more player signings upon approval from the ECHL in the upcoming weeks.

The Worcester Railers Hockey Club, a proud member of the ECHL, will play their inaugural game at the DCU Center on Oct. 14, 2017 vs. the Manchester Monarchs. Full season memberships start at just $432 for 36 regular season games at the DCU Center and can be purchased by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.

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