A 5-foot-3 center, Clark started playing hockey at the age of 4, rising through the Lynn Youth Hockey Program until the age of 10. “She loved playing with the boys,’’ said her father, Russ. “But when she started playing with the girls, that’s when she found her stride.’’
Initially, she worked on her stick skills on a main drag in Lynn, and continued to pursue hockey, partly as an outlet as her parents struggled to make their relationship work.
“Hockey was her and her brother’s outlet,’’ confirmed her father. “It kept them busy through our divorce.’’
Busy is an understatement. Clark played for the North Shore Vipers and the Middlesex Islanders, participated in summer camps, and skated in other leagues before she even entered high school.
“I played a lot of hockey growing up and just became consumed by it,’’ said Clark. “Being a senior captain this year, I know I have to lead by example rather than talk a big game, and that’s what I’ve been doing.’’
In a recent 4-1 victory against host Barnstable, Clark delivered a hat trick. Barnstable had won the first meeting, 1-0.
“Mackenzie is a force on the ice,’’ said Lynn/Winthrop coach Anthony Martucci Jr.
“She’s a goalie’s nightmare because of her back check and the fact that she always lurks right in front of the net.’’
In her five years on the varsity, she has raised her point totals each season (28, 32, 36, and 41 last year), with most of her points coming as assists.
“She feeds the puck as well as anyone,’’ said Martucci. “She’s not a scorer, but she can be when she needs to be.’’
The Winthrop/Lynn girls have knocked off St. Mary’s of Lynn and Beverly/Danvers, remaining undefeated in GEMIHL Northeast conference play (7-0).
“We’ve picked up the intensity,’’ said Clark. “We’ve come together as a team more this year than any other. Our communication is great, we’re getting better shots, and we’re putting the puck in the net.’’
