At the age of 15, MacKenzie played for the Weston Dukes with the goal of joining the Toronto Marlies before he was encouraged by Father David Bauer to attend St. Michael's College School.

[2] For the 1962–1963 season, MacKenzie, along with Ken Broderick, Dave Chambers, and Terry O'Malley enrolled at the University of British Columbia where they played for the UBC Thunderbirds.

He earned the chance to turn professional by playing six games with the Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League but failed to make the roster full-time.

Alongside Terry O'Malley, MacKenzie redefined their midget hockey program and guided them to the 1988 Air Canada Cup Championship.

[5] The 1962–63 University of British Columbia men's ice hockey team was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.