From hockey hotbed to hot Western Australian summers, that’s the journey for Jaymie Mackenzie into the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL).
The Canadian has become an important part of the Perth Inferno roster over the past three seasons.
Meanwhile, it was a stereotypical upbringing for Mackenzie, the classic Canadian story coming from a town famous for Jarome Iginla and Shane Doan.
However, friendship through junior hockey is where the ball started to roll in the move across to Australia.
“I grew up in a small town in BC Canada called Kamloops,” Mackenzie told andrewkmacdougall.com.au
“I started hockey really young as most Canadians do and spent most of my minor hockey years playing with the boys, being from a small town you had to play with the boys to get that more competitive edge.
“As I got older around 14/15 is when more girls were competing at a pretty competitive level in Kamloops.
“So, I made the move over to the girls rep team and moved school to attend the Valleyview Hockey Academy which is where I met the Yin to my Yang Georgia McLellan.”
Hockey friendship provides opportunity
The connection and friendship with McLellan is where the move to Australia started to materialise.
Moving across the other side of the world to play hockey in a country known for its sun and surf, isn’t first on the mind of a young Canadian.
However, waking up one day and deciding to shift the direction of her life Mackenzie decided to give Australia and the AWIHL real thought.
“After playing minors together and attending the same high school/hockey academy Georgia [McLellan] and I became really good friends,” continued Mackenzie.
“She ended up moving schools to go play at a higher level and we stayed in touch but life gets in the way and kind of drifted apart.
“Geeg [McLellan] always said to me growing up “I’m going to play for team Australia after I’m done school.”
“So, when Georgia and her sister Lilly were home for the summer before they up and moved their lives to Perth we got very close again and were inseparable.
“Before she moved, she said, “you should come” and I was like yeah, I don’t think so.
“Then I don’t know I woke up one morning in January 2023 and just decided to change the whole trajectory of my life, called Geeg, had a flight booked that night for April 2023.
“So, to make a long story short, I moved to Perth because my best friend wanted to play for team Australia.”
Home is where the hockey is
The move to Australia and subsequently suiting up for the Inferno has been a hand to glove fit into AWIHL life.
Furthermore, for Mackenzie it’s more than just a hockey move abroad and experiencing life in another country.
Australia is now home for the 25-year-old forward, putting down roots and becoming well entrenched into WA life.
“100% Perth is now my home,” said Mackenzie.
“I have made life long best friends here that I can’t even imagine life without.
“That first season with Inferno changed my life in so many ways I can’t even begin to describe how rich I feel.
“I originally was only going to stay for one year but when a room full of your best friends start chanting “one more year” how the heck are you supposed to say no?”
“I know my family misses me a lot back home, but they always tell me they don’t want me to come home because they know I am the best version of myself when surrounded by my Inferno girls.”
High flying Inferno ready
It is the second time in three seasons that Mackenzie has been part of an Inferno team that has finished top of the AWIHL standings.
While there might be different coaches in the seat each time that the Inferno have finished as the number one seed.
Heading into the 2026 AWIHL Finals this version of the Inferno is as tight a locker room as any other.
“The girls are buzzing,” continued Mackenzie.
“We’re all really excited for this weekend.
“We’ve been together for the past four weekends playing and ready for the fifth.
“To finish top of the league is a huge long-term accomplishment.
“I am very proud of the girls for being resilient through the coach change, injuries, hectic schedules, we’ve overcome a lot as a group this year.
“Perth Inferno is so hot right now and we plan to bring the heat.”
Strong family ties
Whether it’s 2am of 2pm, one thing is for certain a Mackenzie family member will be tuning in to watch Inferno games.
Each week the tightknit family will don the Inferno colours and fire up YouTube to watch number 44 in purple.
It’s a unique aspect of hockey life in Australia; the connection forged with online streaming.
Live interactive chat means Father Mark, can become part of the product to cheer on daughter Jaymie in the AWIHL.
In what was initially meant to be a one and done trip, has now created new generations of Inferno fans across the world.
“My mum, dad and grandma tune into almost every game,” said Mackenzie.
“They wear the inferno charity jerseys they bought and text me as soon as every game ends saying good game.
“I have this thing I say ” I am the luckiest girl in the world” and I like to see how often I am proven right.
“To have a support system like I do is one of those yeah damn I am the luckiest girl in the world moments.
“My family loves everything the AW is and stands for, and I think it’s been equally as life changing for them as it has for me.
“They’ll be tuning in this weekend so keep an eye on the live chat as I know they like to get crazy in there.”
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