Rising Star Mackenzie Bolger is a player to watch out for as he continues his hockey development in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) and overseas in years to come.

Position: Forward

AIHL Team: Central Coast Rhinos

Hometown: Sydney, NSW, AUS

Bio

Sydney born Bolger started his hockey career in the East Coast Super League (ECSL) and Australian Junior Ice Hockey League (AJIHL). Before joining the AIHL, Mackenzie got his first taste of full senior hockey with The Coast at Erina in the now defunct Pacific Hockey League (PHL).

Bolger made his international debut in 2023 for the Australian U20s. Playing six games and scoring four goals, Mackenzie helped the national team to finish top of Division 3A and secure promotion.

In 2023, Bolger got his maiden taste of Australian Ice Hockey league (AIHL) action. The Sydney Ice Dogs picked him up and added him to their roster. At the Ice Dogs, in his rookie season, Machenzie played fourteen games and scored three points. This included his inaugural goal in his first game against derby rivals the Sydney Bears.

After Bolger’s rookie AIHL season ended, he ventured overseas for the first time. He joined the Bellingham Blazers in the USPHL. He followed that by joining the El Paso Rhinos in the NA3HL. Mackenzie scored an impressive 54 points in 49 games in his first season in America. Bolger then returned to Australia for the 2024 AIHL season.

Rather than re-joining the Ice Dogs in Sydney, Bolger headed back to Erina on the Central Coast and signed with the Rhinos.  Playing under the guidance of Ron Kuprowsky and leadership of Bert Malloy, Mackenzie enjoyed a breakout AIHL season. Scoring 10 goals and 27 points, Bolger led his team’s scoring charts for much of the season. Mackenzie secured the Skaters Network local player of the week award in round 13. He was also nominated for the AIHL season MVP award.

What’s ahead

On the back of a highly successful second season in the AIHL, Bolger is returning overseas to continue his hockey education at the Waldorf University Warriors. Hopefully we will see him back again in the AIHL in 2025.

Rising Star Series

This player profile, Rising Star Mackenzie Bolger, is the first of our Rising Star series for the AIHL. Please visit our Young Hype section for more player profiles in the series.